Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 28, 1990 TAG: 9006280110
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: PETER MATHEWS NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
Virginia 177 runs from Interstate 81 to Radford, becoming Tyler Avenue in the city. Radford Community Hospital's anticipated move to a site in the county is expected to spark substantial development along the road.
At a meeting Tuesday night that lasted a little more than an hour, the two bodies essentially discussed which issues they want to discuss later, then adjourned. But officials said it was a productive meeting.
"We may not be as far apart as a lot of people think," said Radford Mayor Tom Starnes. "With good effort, probably we can work out an equitable agreement."
The two sides met mostly to discuss plans for a study of the corridor. Their planning and economic development directors have met several times, but the elected officials have not met since last fall.
Radford officials contend that how the corridor develops has a direct impact on Radford, particularly in an area such as storm water runoff, which varies according to how intensively an area is developed. So they want to participate in those decisions, Councilman Bob Nicholson said.
Montgomery County's incentive to negotiate is Radford's control of water and the expansion of sewer service needed for development, Mayor Tom Starnes said after the meeting.
"If no agreement were worked out, I'd be surprised if you'd see any extension of utilities," he said.
The corridor is listed as a potential growth area in the county's comprehensive plan, planning director Joe Powers said. But there are no specific plans about whether it should be industrial, commercial or residential development.
The talks last year foundered on the issue of revenue sharing. When it arose at Tuesday's meeting, Supervisor Todd Solberg pointed out that not all the money would be coming in - it would cost the county money to provide services to the area, such as schools, roads and recreation.
When board Chairwoman Ann Hess asked whether Radford would be willing to share those costs, Supervisor Ira Long objected. Long, who heads the county's Public Service Authority, said Wednesday that the two bodies were there just to discuss plans for the study, not to negotiate water and sewer agreements.
Both governments then agreed to discuss the issues further in their July 9 meetings.
by CNB