ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, August 20, 1996 TAG: 9608200073
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAN CASEY AND CHRISTINA NUCKOLS STAFF WRITERS BUT THE CITY PROMISES
to help a county school get a traffic light installed.
SCHOOL GATE MOST LIKELY WON'T OPEN
Roanoke City Council on Monday took the first step toward permanently closing a rear entrance to Hidden Valley Junior High School, referring the pending closure to the Planning Commission for a public hearing.
The action was applauded by residents of Mount Holland Drive in Southwest Roanoke. They have deluged council members with letters and phone calls since county school officials said they may open an entrance through the neighborhood to avoid a busy intersection on Virginia 419 that has no traffic light.
"I'm pleased. I think they listened to what we had to say, and they've been very responsive," Elizabeth Brooks said. "I think we're going to get what we asked for."
But council's action doesn't solve the problem of a hazardous exit from the school onto 419, particularly after school dances and other nighttime activities when there is no traffic officer on duty.
Councilman Nelson Harris, who suggested the city begin the process of closing the street, said the city should join the county in lobbying the General Assembly for a traffic signal. Council unanimously agreed.
"I think this is the appropriate action to take," Councilman William White said. "Not to get this moving would be a mistake."
City streets may be closed only after public hearings before the Planning Commission and council.
The county junior high school was built in the early 1970s and sits on property the city annexed in 1976. Hidden Valley School Road, off 419 near Lewis-Gale Hospital, is the school's only access - although there is a rear gate that opens onto Mount Holland Drive.
The Virginia Department of Transportation has turned down county requests for a signal at the 419 intersection, ruling it doesn't have enough traffic volume to justify one. Subsequently, the school's Parent-Teacher Association petitioned the Roanoke County School Board to open the Mount Holland gate.
After Monday's vote, county school Superintendent Deanna Gordon said she agreed that a traffic signal on 419 is the preferable solution because opening Mount Holland Drive would direct traffic to and from the school down winding, narrow roads.
"A light at Hidden Valley School Drive would absolutely take care of the problem," she said.
Thomas Leggette, chairman of the Roanoke County School Board and the father of a Hidden Valley student, said he understood the concerns of residents who want the road to stay closed.
"I certainly would prefer to live on a dead-end street rather than a street with through traffic," he said.
Both Gordon and Leggette said they expected Monday's vote to get some attention from VDOT.
School officials also have contacted local state legislators and former state Sen. Brandon Bell, who recently was appointed to the state Board of Education.
State Sen. John Edwards, D-Roanoke, said he sent a letter to VDOT officials Monday asking them to come up with a solution to the problem.
"If the right contacts are made and the right people are persuaded that this is the right thing to do, I think red tape and bureaucracy can be overcome pretty quickly," School Board member Jerry Canada said.
Leggette said he hoped there was still room for compromise if VDOT once again vetoes the light.
He noted that city residents expressed concerns primarily about daytime traffic and its danger to small children and older adults living in the area. However, Leggette said the school primarily needs access via Mount Holland Drive at night.
"I just hope the neighborhood will work with us," Leggette said.
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