Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, December 2, 1993 TAG: 9312020160
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KAREN BARNES STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BEDFORD LENGTH: Medium
Dan Reber, CEO of Direct Mail Communications Inc. in Forest, hopes to transform almost 100 acres of prime Forest real estate into a housing and industrial development.
Located near the intersection of U.S. 221 and Virginia 661, the proposed development will be called Jefferson Park.
According to Doyle Allen, the project's engineer, Reber has no commitments from businesses yet but will probably build single-family homes as the first phase. Groundbreaking could occur next spring, he said.
It probably will take six to 10 years to complete the development, he said.
No cost figures are available yet, he added.
Highlights of Reber's development include:
Eight single-family homes on 24.8 acres.
Multifamily housing, such as townhouses and duplexes, covering 42.4 acres. Under the county's land use guidance system, as many as 440 bedrooms would be allowed in the multifamily section.
19.8 acres of commercial and light industrial development.
Almost 11 acres remain unplanned for, said Jeff Burdett, Bedford County Community Development Planner.
Monday night, residents met with Burdett and presented some of their concerns. The gathering resulted in a stalemate. Nearby residents expressed hesitation about increased traffic and water runoff, more light pollution and a need for increased police and traffic services.
The proposal will be presented to the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors during a joint hearing Dec. 13.
Supervisor Henry Creasy, who represents Forest, said he knows Reber and is confident in Reber's ability to create a quality product. "He has a history of doing things first-class," he said.
Reber was out of town and could not be reached for comment.
by CNB