ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, May 22, 1996 TAG: 9605220022
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: KATHY LOAN STAFF WRITER
If a Montgomery County committee reviewing the "smart" road proposal decides it needs to hire a consultant, the county will foot the bill, not the Virginia Department of Transportation.
The Board of Supervisors on Monday amended its 5-month-old smart road review procedures to have the county pay the cost of consulting fees. Originally, the board said VDOT would have to pick up the costs.
Supervisor Jim Moore first raised the issue. People may think "whoever pays the bills is the guy he's going to lean in favor" of, Moore said.
Other supervisors went along, though some didn't see a problem either way.
Supervisor Nick Rush questioned the need for a consultant. Rush said the consultant would have only a week or so to digest information the supervisors have been reviewing for years. It will be up to a county staff committee to decide whether to hire the consultant.
The supervisors have to decide whether VDOT's request to acquire 140 acres of land out of a protected conservation zone would have an unreasonably adverse effect on county policy. The county also will consider whether the request is necessary to provide an economical, practical public service.
The smart road, a planned six-mile link between southern Blacksburg and Interstate 81, has been promoted as a proving ground for new transportation technology and a boost for Virginia Tech.
Supporters say the project will relieve traffic and create jobs. Critics say the road is unnecessary and will damage the environment.
Last fall, the supervisors rejected VDOT's request, but rescinded the vote a week later and set up the current, more-detailed review.
The board also approved a schedule that leads up to a June 10 meeting when the supervisors will have to decide whether to approve or deny VDOT's request or to extend the time limit for 60 days so a public hearing can be held.
The deadline for written comments about the proposal is noon Tuesday. After that, the smart road committee will evaluate the comments and prepare a report.
That report will be sent to the Board of Supervisors, the Planning Commission, the Economic Development Commission and the Agricultural and Forestal District Advisory Commission on May 31.
The three Montgomery County advisory groups will hold individual meetings and make recommendations to the supervisors on or before June 10.
Originally, the three groups, the county review committee and the supervisors were to meet together June 10. But Monday, supervisors decided that process would be too cumbersome and perhaps lead to problems if quorums for all groups were not present that night.
Moore said after the meeting that he wasn't ready to vote yes or no on VDOT's request but was ready to extend the review period by 60 days. Vice Chairman Ira Long, who was on the board when the conservation districts were set up, said he remains committed to the districts and sees no need for an extension.
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