Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, January 7, 1995 TAG: 9501090031
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: BRIAN KELLEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors will take comments on the rezoning request during its 7 p.m. meeting on the third floor of the county courthouse in Christiansburg. The hearing will start after the board selects a chairman and vice chairman for the new year.
Blacksburg gas station owner Lawrence R. Price Jr. wants to rezone nearly 12 acres beside U.S. 460 and across from the entrance to Pandapas Pond, which is about three miles north of Blacksburg in the Jefferson National Forest.
The area is zoned for agricultural use; with a business-use designation, Price could go forward with plans to build a store and gas station on a portion of the 12 acres. The rezoning also would allow for business development on the rest of the land.
Nearly eight years ago, the supervisors turned down a similar request by Price after an outcry from people concerned about possible adverse environmental effects. But the board did rezone a small portion of the land in late 1987 on the condition that Price use it only to temporarily store damaged cars. The storage lot is barely visible from U.S. 460.
Though potentially controversial, the rezoning case has prompted little comment, supervisors Chairman Larry Linkous said Friday. The board has received about a half-dozen letters, all in support of Price.
Blacksburg insurance agent Don W. Linkous, for instance, wrote that the new location will create jobs and tax revenue for the county. "I enjoy the mountains and trees as much as anyone, and I am sure that Mr. Price will make this an attractive business location with appropriate landscaping," Linkous wrote.
Environmental groups, such as the New River Valley Environmental Coalition, have been monitoring the application. The coalition also urged members to come out for the public hearing.
by CNB