Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 18, 1995                   TAG: 9510180046
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-8   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: CLAYTON BRADDOCK SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES
DATELINE: PEARISBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

GILES BOARD GRANTS REQUEST FOR LARGER GAS-STATION SIGN

That's what a major oil-company dealer told the Giles County supervisors Monday night.

After several supporters and opponents spoke, the supervisors sided with the businessman and OK'd a larger sign for the Chevron station on U.S. 460 west of Pembroke.

Sandy Collins said he needed a special exception to permit a larger sign because Chevron would take away its brand. Chevron is requiring bigger signs for all its stations.

After a public hearing attended by Collins and a number of supporters and opponents, the supervisors conferred with the Planning Commission, which had denied the permit weeks earlier.

Speakers at the hearing were divided between those wanting to keep the station in business and those who wanted to preserve the county's prohibition against large signs.

"I could still pump gas, but I would lose my credit-card business," which totaled $96,000 the past year, Collins told the board.

"Without the company's brand I would have to sell off-brands," Collins said. Tire sales and other merchandise are a part of his business but gasoline is "my main business," Collins said.

Although some county officials and opponents told the board that Chevron might be "blowing smoke" and might not cut off the supply of the brand gasoline, the board said it did not wish to take the risk of losing Collins' business.

Once larger signs are approved, some opponents said, other owners along highways will ask for similar special exceptions and lead to being "overwhelmed by billboards." Even if some signs are later ruled out, "they will be very expensive to get them down," said Debbie Dull, a lawyer with experience in the field.

In other business, the board approved a $139,000 low bid by Motorola Inc., for a communication system to service the county's E-911 program. The emergency program is expected to be in place by mid-March.