Thursday, August 14, 2008
Board approves dog park on split vote
The Roanoke Architectural Review Board approved the location for a proposed dog park in Highland Park by a 3-2 vote this evening.
The vote came after about two hours of public comment and discussion by board members. The dissenting votes came from Bob Richert and Bill Bestpitch, who both live in the Old Southwest neighborhood adjacent to Highland Park.
NewVa Connects, a young professionals networking and advocacy group, has sought a location for a fenced off-leash dog park since last year. After a pilot site in Fishburn Park fell through, the group was invited to seek a location in Highland Park by the board of Old Southwest Inc.
Dog park advocates say the site is centrally located, handicapped-accessible, not visible from nearby streets and easily accessible from a nearby parking lot. Opponents argued that the dog park would create parking problems on surrounding streets and disrupt sledding and performances at a nearby stage.
The ARB has already approved the use of black vinyl fence for the park. Richert said the Roanoke Parks and Recreation Department, who requested approval of the fence and park location, should have to return a third time for approval of its planned landscaping and park amenities. City staff, however, said that probably won't be necessary.
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