ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Thursday, June 13, 1996                TAG: 9606130031
SECTION: CURRENT                  PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG

BLACKSBURG DELAYS TWO BIG VOTES, AGREES TO REFUND CABLE TAX

Town Council delayed votes on two projects Tuesday: a request to rezone 5.42 acres on Harding Avenue for the continuation of a housing development; and a special-use permit application to build an American Electric Power Co. electric utility booster, relay and transfer station on Meadowbrook Drive.

Concerns about drainage and the entrances and exits to the 24-unit development off Harding, called Vista Pointe, prompted a delay until June 25.

A vote on a permit for the booster station, which many nearby residents opposed during a previous Town Council meeting, was delayed because American Electric Power is studying changes in its plan. A lawyer representing the company asked for a deferral until July 9.

Other actions included:

* Council passed an ordinance 5-0 that allows property owners to transfer density potential - or development rights - from land dedicated to the town for public use to the remainder of their property.

* The council amended the license tax rate for cable television service in the town code to reflect state standards. Blacksburg had been overcharging by 2 percent, resulting in a $49,000 refund to Booth Communications.

If the town's overcharge was passed on to the customers, Town Attorney Kathleen Dooley said, an agreement between the town and Booth Communications would be worked out to ensure the money goes back to the consumers.

* A special-use permit was granted to Scott and Lynn Hill to create two offices in conjunction with four one-bedroom apartments at 902 S. Main St.

* Public hearings were set for July 9 to issue general obligation capital improvement bonds and a general obligation note.

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