Christiansburg's next Planning Commission meeting will be held on Monday, March 17, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. at the Town Hall, Council Chambers.
The first agenda item will address:
1) A
Conditional Use Permit request by C.L. Draughn for property at 655 Depot Street, N.E. (tax parcels 497 – ((A)) – 236, 237, and 239) for
residential use in the B-3 General Business District. A
Public Hearing was held on March 4, 2008 and the request prompted surprise and dismay from several citizens in attendance.
This request is notable for several reasons and should be opposed unless and until key items are addressed:
- A Conditional Use Permit is being requested rather than a rezoning (even though it proposes a change in land use, rather in how a structure is used).
- The request involves razing a building within the historically designated area of Cambria, to allow for an yet another townhouse complex.
- Project proponents have said there will be no impact to the historic viewshed or traffic. There is evidence which disputes that stance.
- Project proponents stated during the March 4 Public Hearing they were willing to meet with area property owners or concerned citizens -- this Planning Commission meeting may be the only venue they were proposing to meet at.
- The adjacent Christiansburg Depot is one of the most visited historical sites within Montgomery County. The project is anticipated to have a negative impact in this regard.
- Numerous buildings in Christiansburg's downtown core, Old Town/Park residential community, and Historic Cambria have been stabilized or renovated, and represent significant private -- not public funding -- investments. The proposed project is seen as being detrimental to those investments, as well as to discouraging possible future ones.
- Christiansburg town council recently adopted a resolution establishing an Antiques Corridor, in support of drawing increased visitors into the downtown and Cambria areas. This project is anticipated to have a negative impact on this initiative.
- At the March 4 Public Hearing, council became aware that architectural standards were allowed, yet none are in place -- even in or around historic structures or districts.
- Christiansburg is a principal, and the primary funding source, of the regional Tourism Development Council (TDC). An incompatible project in the historically designated Cambria section could weaken tourism efforts the town is already funding.
- Planning Commission members indicated at the March 4 meeting they were not aware this property was within a historic district, as zoning maps currently do not denote these districts nor structures.
The Planning Commission meeting is a good time to see the individuals appointed by town council address the appropriate application of zoning and codes, and their ability to respond to citizen concerns as part of that process.
Try to attend this Monday at 4 pm, and observe: How sincerely are stated concerns addressed, or are they deferred in hopes it all dissipates?
At some point, investments already made in some of the very few remaining town historic structures need to be acknowledged by town council, both for preservation of local heritage as well as cultivating tourism related revenues and serving as another means for economic development.
Investments -- time, effort and money -- on developing the antiques corridor and increasing tourism throughout the traditional downtown and Historic Cambria district need to be supported by compatable projects and town leaders. These matters are too important to just be "rubber stamped" without a thorough review and understanding of potential impacts.
The Christiansburg Planning Commission is appointed by town council and currently comprised of:
Steve Simmons, Chair; Jim Vanhoosier, Vice-Chair; Town Mgr Lance Terpenny, Sec'y; and members Ann Carter (town council representative), Bob Poff, Wayne Booth, Craig Moore, and Michael Byrd. The town's Planning & Zoning department key staff is Randy Wingfield, Planning Director; and Nichole Hair, Town Planner (also town's representative to the TDC).
Monday, March 17 @ 4 pm. Hope to see you there!