ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, May 2, 1996 TAG: 9605020050
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
The Roanoke Planning Commission on Wednesday recommended that property in a blighted section of Southwest Roanoke be rezoned from industrial to residential use.
Habitat for Humanity of Roanoke Valley plans to convert a portion of the property - between 10th and 11th streets and Norfolk and Jackson avenues - into a community of 20 single-family homes for the working poor.
The property must be rezoned before Habitat can build. Construction is not expected to begin until next year.
The property is in Roanoke's West End area, for years the target of residents' complaints because of its neglected condition.
Supporters of the Habitat development - called the "Perry Park Project" - said it would only help improve a long-neglected area.
"This is one of the highest-poverty pockets in the valley," property owner Norma Smith said. "It needs to be picked up. It needs to be fixed up. When you see improvement in the neighborhood, you notice it's time for the windows to be washed, for the grass to be cut."
The property recommended for rezoning - 52 parcels - contains houses, a small park and two churches.
"Those factors make this area more suitable for residential development," John Marlles, Roanoke's chief of community planning, told the Planning Commission. "We want to encourage interest in residential investment of this part" of Roanoke.
But Bob Zimmerman, owner of an electrical supply business that is near Habitat's planned development, said the city needs to preserve the land for industrial development.
"I'm not against Habitat," he said. "But you're taking land zoned for light manufacturing to build small houses on. Take a better look at what's best for the city."
The rezoning will be considered by City Council on June 17.
In another matter, the Planning Commission recommended that a portion of property on King Street in Northeast Roanoke be rezoned to allow construction of a 248-unit apartment complex.
Several residents opposed the complex, called Hickory Woods II, contending that it would contribute to existing traffic problems, was too close to their homes and would devalue their property.
After meeting with residents earlier this year to address their concerns, developers made several concessions, including widening a landscape buffer, said David Helscher, an attorney representing developer Douglas Caton.
But "no matter what they say or do, it's an apartment right beside my home," resident Linda Mann said. "People are not going to pay $100,000 [for a home] with an apartment a few feet outside my bedroom window. Who's going to pay me for the loss of value to my property?''
The rezoning will be considered by City Council on May 20.
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