Oct. 6 Council Notes

Three Public Hearings each brought out numerous speakers.  The first hearing was relative to another rezoning for approximately 6.74 acres from Agricultural to R-3 Multi-Family Residential.  This is property the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors turned over to the town in a friendly boundary line adjustment, adjacent to the middle school.  Another developer is now proposing an "age 55 and older" apartment complex for about that same number of units. 

The representative for the developer stated such age restrictions for leased property appears to be supported by case law, noting the county school board had submitted comments in opposition to the project relative to enrollment impacts.    MCPS board candidates had also touched on school attendance line issues, or redistricting, during a recent forum.  Whether these apartments would include subsidized housing by HUD or VDHA was not discussed, yet several potential buyers in the adjacent Kensington Place subdivision stated they had been told the parcel would be single family dwellings. 

Several speakers were concerned about the limited access roads supporting what will ultimately be approximately 600 new households, similar to what council had heard relative to a development in the New River Village area.  More on this topic may be found on the New River Journal blog.

A Conditional Use Permit allowing a child care facility serving up to 12 children in a neighborhood also brought out some opposition, although the facility is currently licensed by the state for providing care to five or fewer children.  Concerns included the subject property being rented and used as a business in a residential area, and traffic issues around Tower and Roanoke Roads, which is not served by a traffic light.  No conditions beyond state limits were discussed. 

Council is expected to take action on these two matters at their next regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, Nov. 2.  The normal Tuesday meeting date was shifted to avoid a council meeting on Election Day. 

Council then heard a request from Boxley Concrete to locate a ready mix plant in the Christiansburg Industrial Park, which is zoned I-2 General Industrial.  The town manager noted the infrastructure was built to accommodate  heavy vehicles and the town had previously sold all the parcels within the industrial park.  Several existing tenants expressed concern about dust stating they may consider relocating if the business was allowed.  Boxley representatives stressed they had looked at this property because of the appropriate zoning and location in the center of the park, indicating they planned on investing $2 million dollars and initially create eight new jobs.  They expected 12-15 trucks entering and exiting the plant each day, and noted the company utilizes modern technology which is 99.9% efficient in capturing dust while also employing a sprinkler system to keep materials damp and eliminate the possibility of fugitive dust.  Numerous state and federal agencies regulate concrete operations, and company representatives stated that "Meeting the minimum standard is not enough" for their company.  Boxley's two Roanoke plants received "Green-Star Certification" from an industry association.

Later in the meeting, council voted 4-1 (Showalter opposing the denial and Carter not voting due to presiding over the meeting) with members expressing concern about competition for existing business and the potential for negative economic impacts for "horses already in our stable."   Several  company representatives or sub-contractors of Marshall Concrete had spoken in opposition to this request, and an uncertified petition stated to contain approximately 200 signatures was presented to council.  Safety concerns about traffic conditions along the Roanoke Road and I-81 Exit 118 were also mentioned, with the town manager saying he wasn't sure if a recent traffic study was available or could be required.  More about this topic can be read in a Roanoke Times article.  

During the Citizens Hearing portion of the meeting, several speakers addressed the Cemetery Committee's suggested changes to fees and placing memorials at grave sites during "mowing" season.  One alternative required purchasing a monument saddle from a local florist, as direct sales to consumers were not possible.  Funeral home directors stressed they would not enter into contracts with the town, and become de facto bill collectors for opening or closing graves, or the sale of burial plots.  They, along with several members of the audience, encouraged council to discuss these issues with the community and tap into the expertise of the funeral directors, as well as that of Ann Carter who previously served on the cemetery board when it was privately held.

Councilman Mike Barber stated he and Brad Stipes had been fielding input in response to their suggested changes over the past 10 days and would consider discussing concerns with area funeral professionals, but would not take any action on the matter that evening.  Barber also said when the town took control of the cemetery "that board said they were tired.  So we will be The Committee." 

Finance Director Valerie Tweedie reviewed information presented to council's Finance Committee previously.  Council directed administration to try to find the money to cover merchant service fees in the existing budget, perhaps from a vacant assistant treasurer position and come back for authorization to proceed.  As planned now, each teller window is expected to be equipped with the related card terminal and dedicated telephone line to accept credit or debit cards. 

The manager also reported on the total costs of the town's new aquatic center, estimated at just under $18 million.  This report did not indicate whether the total included monies donated for such items as the timing system or scoreboards.  Councilman Henry Showalter stated he was aware the University of Tennessee had recently built a similar facility at an estimated cost in the range of $25-27 million, so the town was "really getting a good deal." 

Council went into closed session to discuss a prospect for the Falling Branch Industrial Park.  After certifying the closed meeting and returning to open session, a vote to proceed with an outstanding condemnation order was unanimously approved, with payment of $12,500 to the landowner. 

Concluding the meeting, council expressed approval of the manager's new report given to them relative to updates on site plans, building permits and town projects.  Two Public Hearings were scheduled for the next meeting on Monday, Nov. 2; one for property at 2027 Cambria for a conditional use permit to allow an amusement facility and another to allow a residential duplex in a B-3 Business District.