
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, March 19, 1990                   TAG: 9003192624
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

CITY HIRES TECH STUDY OF ZONING

City Manager Robert Herbert has hired Virginia Tech officials to review the way Roanoke enforces its zoning laws and administers its development regulations.

The study is expected to produce recommendations that will help prevent disputes and controversies about whether commercial and residential developments comply with regulations.

Herbert said the Institute for Public Management at Tech will be paid $9,850 to assess the "efficiency and effectiveness" of the city's administration and enforcement of zoning and development restrictions.

In a report on City Council's agenda today, Herbert said the study will analyze the procedures used by the city's building, engineering and planning departments to review projects. It also will review planning operations to determine if organizational changes are needed.

Herbert said the Tech officials also will examine the city's procedures for informing developers about zoning regulations and the working relationship of the building and planning staffs with citizen review boards, such as the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals.

"The review will be comprehensive and objective," he said. "I believe the report will help me take whatever actions may be needed." He said the study is expected to be finished by April 15.

Some members of the Planning Commission complained recently that the city appears be lax in enforcing zoning rules. Councilman James Trout also has called for a review of planning and zoning operations to help prevent what he described as "embarrassing situations" for the city.

Trout said there have been several disputes over zoning problems that apparently were caused either by city officials' oversight or weak regulations.

He cited the dispute over a pizza shop at a Southwest Plaza, construction of a subdivision without a site plan and construction of an office building without adequate parking in South Roanoke.

In an effort to tighten enforcement,council recently raised the maximum fine for zoning violations from $100 to $1,000, the most state law will allow.

John Marlles, chief of community planning, said the larger fine was part of the city's effort to enforce laws more stringently. Neighborhood organizations have urged strict enforcement.

by CNB