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Tuesday, May 10, 2005

Council to hear public on 5 comp plan amendments

One amendment would strip out language supporting a Toms Creek gravity sewer.

BLACKSBURG -- Blacksburg Town Council will hear resident's opinions on several amendments to the town's comprehensive plan, including an amendment related to the perennially controversial Toms Creek sewer issue, at its 7:30 p.m. meeting at the Municipal Building.

If passed, the Toms Creek sewer amendment would strip from the comp plan a provision directing the council to build a multi-million-dollar conventional gravity sewer through the basin.

The provision was added to the plan in 2003 by four pro-sewer council members, two of whom were deposed in last year's election.

Citizens First, the political action committee that worked on behalf of successful anti-sewer candidates Paul Lancaster, Ron Rordam and Don Langrehr, made rescinding the provision one of its platforms.

David Scheim, sewer expert for Citizens First, could not be reached for comment Monday.

The amendment, if passed, would not rule out a gravity sewer, said Lancaster, now a councilman, who asked the town to put the amendment on its list after the Long Range Planning Committee declined to include it.

But the amendment would include several sewer options for new developments in the basin, including high-end septic systems, Lancaster said.

Pro-sewer Councilwoman Joyce Lewis serves on the committee and spoke against the amendment at a recent council meeting. She could not be reached for comment Monday.

Also under consideration is an amendment meant to guide the Virginia Tech-Montgomery Executive Airport and the Federal Aviation Administration in its development of land it will soon buy along South Main Street for a federally-mandated "runway protection zone."

The zone creates a buffer near the runway to minimize death and destruction should a plane crash during takeoff or landing. Seven businesses in the zone will be relocated and the buildings razed, creating vacant space at the town's entrance.

The amendment suggests a trail head or other public use for the spot. Neither the airport authority, nor the FAA are bound by the amendment, should it pass.

But "we will work with the town as much as we possibly can," said Michael St. Jean, the airport's director.

Residents may also comment on amendments that would allow new designs for town walking and biking trails, establish stricter criteria for selling or giving up public right-of-ways and define the relationship of neighborhood master plans to the comp plan.

Full text of the amendments are available online at www.blacksburg.gov/government/town_council/agenda.php.

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