ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, March 8, 1997 TAG: 9703100015
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MARK CLOTHIER THE ROANOKE TIMES
BLACKSBURG
Concerns expressed by business owners, residents have led to major revisions in zoning changes planned for the town.
Citizens have a second chance to address Town Council on sweeping changes proposed to the town's zoning laws at Tuesday night's public hearing. The council is proposing several significant changes to the proposed zoning ordinance in response to criticism and concerns expressed by local business owners and townspeople.
The hearing is at 7:30 p.m., in the Town Council chambers, 300 S. Main St.
Some 30 residents raised concerns about the proposed changes at the first public hearing in October.
Since then, Town Council has held a series of work sessions to address some of the questions.
The proposed zoning ordinance and the amendments to the comprehensive map could be adopted at council's March 25 meeting.
Included among the citizen-driven changes:
Elimination of a rule that could make several homes and businesses nonconforming with existing zoning laws. Citizens worried that if a nonconforming building were burned, it couldn't be replicated but would have to be rebuilt to comply with new zoning laws.
At a November work session, Town Council tentatively agreed to appease those fears by allowing property owners whose buildings are destroyed in a catastrophe the option of replicating their structure.
The council wanted to reduce the impact the zoning changes would have on residents, said Councilman Ron Rordam. "It just seemed to me if something was built under a current ordinance ... it didn't seem right to cause harm and go back and say 'You can't do that,'" he said.
Town Council also tentatively agreed to do away with the spending limit for nonconforming buildings. Now, if someone wants to renovate a building that doesn't comply with zoning laws they can only spend up to 10 percent of the building's assessed value each year.
The new idea would eliminate the renovation spending cap and allow a property owner the right to fix up a building as much as he or she can, as long as the building's degree of nonconformity isn't increased.
Elimination of a special district for fraternity and sorority houses along Roanoke Street. An October straw poll of the council members showed most favored eliminating the special housing overlay district for East Roanoke Street. Residents were concerned that if the district went into effect, it could turn their neighborhood into fraternity row.
Council has also tentatively proposed removing the special housing overlay from the south section of the overlay proposed for the Knollwood area, off Ramble Road. Council also plans to move the east boundary of the special housing overlay for the Turner Street area 200 feet from North Main Street.
The height allowed in the proposed downtown commercial area was increased from 45 to 60 feet to meet concerns of existing business owners.
The limits of the downtown commercial area were expanded north to Prices Fork Road.
The recommended zoning for the Whipple Drive area and the Lee, Clay and Jefferson streets area between Wharton and Allegheny streets was changed from multifamily to transitional residential. This allows single family homes and duplexes by right. By special-use permit, town houses, some low-intensity offices and some multifamily buildings are allowed.
A proposal to allow apartments by special-use permit in the R-5 zone. No more than 20 bedrooms per acre would be allowed.
A proposal to extend north the commercial area along North Main Street.
LENGTH: Medium: 69 linesby CNB