Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, September 22, 1995 TAG: 9509220070
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: ROBERT FREIS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
They're concerned about the 140-acre swath of the new road that would cut through one of the county's designated agricultural and forestal districts.
On Wednesday the commissioners voted to advise the county Board of Supervisors that more study on the route is needed.
It's up to the supervisors to officially ask the state Department of Transportation to examine the road's impact on the 2,800-acre Wilson Run agricultural and forestal district more closely. The board is scheduled to consider the issue Monday.
Additional review by the state would mean a 60-day delay and a public hearing specifically about the road and the Wilson Run district.
Agricultural and forestal districts are voluntary programs designed to protect farm and forest lands. Landowners who place land in them accept development restrictions. In return, they're eligible for tax incentives.
The smart road's route connecting Interstate 81 and Blacksburg will divide the Wilson Run district. Also, part of a 1,900-foot long, 175-foot high bridge proposed to span Ellett Valley would be built within the present district's boundaries, according to Joe Powers, county planning director.
Property owned by three of the 12 landowners who are part of the district would be crossed by the smart road. Board of Supervisors member Joe Stewart - who owns 480 acres in the district - is one of these.
In other business, the Planning Commission took a step back from intervening in a dispute involving livestock in large-lot, rural neighborhoods.
The issue originated earlier this year when residents of the Deercroft subdivision complained about David Hedges' two horses, one of which is a miniature pony. The county's subdivision ordinance prohibits keeping livestock in residential areas.
Hedges contended that both animals are pets, not livestock. But the county's Board of Zoning Appeals disagreed, telling Hedges the larger horse had to go.
Hedges has appealed the ruling to the Montgomery Circuit Court. Meanwhile, the Board of Supervisors asked the Planning Commission to redefine the zoning classification of "pet' and "livestock."
After examining the ordinances of other localities, the Planning Commission replied Wednesday that the issue needs to be reviewed "from a comprehensive, animal control perspective rather than just a zoning perspective."
Nonetheless, the Board of Supervisors is scheduled to move ahead Monday with a public hearing about zoning amendments that would allow horses and ponies in residential districts. No other livestock would be affected.
Landowners could keep horses in R-1, R-2 or R-3 districts provided the horses are for recreational use. Two horses could be kept per five acres, up to a maximum of four horses on a 10-acre parcel, with "sufficient" shelter and fencing, according to the proposed changes.
by CNB