ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, June 25, 1996 TAG: 9606250094
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: KATHY LOAN STAFF WRITER
The Montgomery County Planning Commission voted Monday to recommend that the Board of Supervisors deny a developer's request to rezone more than 500 acres of Price Mountain for a massive housing development.
By a 5-3 vote, the commissioners sided with concerns by residents of the mountain that roads were inadequate to handle the increased traffic that some 530 new homes would bring.
The commissioners also were concerned about rezoning one-fifth of the acreage to a multi-family status that would allow town houses.
William H. Price's proposal to build single-family homes, duplexes and town houses on 538 acres is one of the largest rezoning requests in county history. It would have long-range effects on roads, utilities, schools and the appearance of the dominant ridge that divides Blacksburg and Christiansburg.
Opponents reiterated concerns about traffic and density at Monday's public hearing, the second held on the proposal. They also said the development contradicts the county's comprehensive plan, in which Price Mountain is designated a conservation area.
Price has said the development would provide needed housing and would proceed at a pace of 20 to 30 units a year, giving ample time to improve roads and develop water and sewer lines.
He has made legally binding promises on the maximum number of dwellings and the percentage of open space. Plans show 534 homes, with about 22 percent of the acreage designated as open space.
Price has also dedicated land for a water tank near the top of the mountain.
But, Price's latest offers did not mollify residents, who said his plans for roads were not detailed enough. They also complained that Price's gestures of increasing open space only resulted in decreasing the amount of land dedicated to more desirable single-family homes while increasing the acreage that will be used for duplexes and town houses.
"We would really like to retain the A-1 zoning, which allows a maximum of two houses per acre," said Lou Herrmann, an Oilwell Road resident.
Joe Draper, one of three Planning Commission members who favored recommending approval of Price's request, didn't believe Herrmann truly meant that.
Under its current zoning, Price could conceivably build 1,000 houses on his property with little county input.
Instead, Price has asked for zoning that allows more county oversight, including having to return for approval of a special-use permit for the town houses, Commissioner Ray Alcorn said.
The commission's recommendation will be forwarded to the supervisors, who probably will vote on the rezoning request next month.
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