Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, July 8, 1994 TAG: 9407080084
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By RON BROWN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: DALEVILLE LENGTH: Medium
Jim Hancock said Thursday he will present plans for Timber Brook to the Botetourt County Planning Commission within two months.
The 360-acre development, which would be along U.S. 220 just north of Interstate 81's exit 150, could include as many as 600 houses and town houses and 70 acres for a mixture of commercial projects.
The project would be about three times the size of Roanoke's Valley View Mall and the undeveloped land that surrounds it.
Hancock said he hopes to attract upscale homebuyers similar to those who purchase land at Hunting Hills in Roanoke County.
The property fronts on U.S. 220 and runs almost to the top of the Tinker Mountain Ridge. It is within several hundred feet of the Appalachian Trail.
The land lies in a corridor booming with residential and commercial development. The county's comprehensive plan - its blueprint for development - already anticipates that Hancock's land along U.S. 220 will be used for commercial purposes.
That's fine with Hancock, who envisions the project's 70-acre commercial tract as a drawing card for luxury hotels, corporate centers, clean industries and, possibly, an office park.
The site is about a quarter of a mile from I-81 and is within five minutes of U.S. 460. It also is within a 10-minute drive of Roanoke Regional Airport, which Hancock said is a strong marketing point.
However, Hancock said he doesn't want the project to destroy the rural character of the area.
"We will leave wildlife corridors," he said. "People want trees. When it's built out, 75 percent of the trees will be left standing."
The project's concept plan, which was developed by Hill Studio of Roanoke, envisions a lodge, a church and possibly a stable with pastures.
Residential lots would range in size from one-quarter acre to 13 acres, and Hancock anticipates houses selling for $300,000 to $1 million. The plan also calls for development of some luxury villas and town houses.
County officials also discussed with Hancock the possibility of locating an elementary school, a fire and rescue station and a park within Timber Brook, he said. Last month, the Board of Supervisors and the School Board formed a four-member committee to ferret out sites for those projects.
Hancock said he was approached by Board of Supervisors Chairman Bob Layman about whether he had land available for those projects.
County Administrator Gerald Burgess confirmed that Hancock and the county had talked, but he would not say how serious those discussions were.
Hancock has proposed giving the county 27 to 29 acres if it will build an access road and bridge into the project.
The first hurdle Hancock faces is getting the property rezoned from its agricultural classification.
The Planning Commission will review Hancock's plans to see if density requirements are met, maintenance of common areas is provided, and sufficient water and sewer lines are available.
Hancock said he has received assurances from the town of Troutville that it can supply the water. A sewer main runs through the middle of the site.
by CNB