ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, April 5, 1997 TAG: 9704070054
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: PEARISBURG
SOURCE: MARK CLOTHIER THE ROANOKE TIMES
There's still no word on whether a Wal-Mart will occupy 126 acres up for rezoning before the Giles County Board of Supervisors.
But the shadow of the Arkansas-based retail giant loomed over a 30-minute public hearing Thursday night on the rezoning. No decision was made, though two of the five supervisors said they favored it.
The property sits just west of Giles County High School on U.S. 460 Business.
Not much more description than that was needed Thursday. When county Planning Commission member Harvey Niday offered to play a three-minute video of the property, the 50 or so standing-room-only Giles residents said no thanks.
The land's owner, Ted Johnson Jr., is asking that Giles County rezone the land from rural residential and agricultural to residential and business; a broad category that prompted one person to ask what uses it didn't allow.
The property is in the county, but is expected to be annexed by Pearisburg next year.
The county Planning Commission has yet to make its recommendation on the rezoning request. The hearing was continued to the Board of Supervisors' next meeting, April 17, to give the Pearisburg Town Council time to discuss it. A Board of Supervisors vote isn't expected until May.
The rezoning would allow retail business. Johnson said he's had interest in the property but hasn't a commitment "with any Wal-Mart, Kmart or any mart."
He said he's been approached by folks who've heard the Wal-Mart rumors and are worried.
"To them I say, I will pursue business," Johnson said. "And I encourage all others who are property owners that you would also encourage it. Because Giles County deserves it."
Dick Edwards was one of several speakers who said they preferred the rezoning request be changed from residential and business to the more restrictive general business category.
Edwards lives next to the western part of Johnson's property, the part not up for rezoning. He said he bought his land because it has "a nice view and I love it there.
"But the property will be developed," he said. "I don't like to see it. But a person has a right to develop his property."
Though no vote was taken among the five members of the Board of Supervisors, members Larry Jay Williams and Robert W. Williams said they support the rezoning request.
"I think one of the reasons I was elected was to lead this county forward not backward," said Robert Williams. "I support it. We shouldn't be afraid of growth."
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