CHRISTIANSBURG -- With the planning commission in favor of a rezoning request that has New River Village residents up in arms, the town council will decide tonight whether to accept the recommendation.

Christiansburg's planning commission voted unanimously Monday to recommend approval of a new subdivision proposed by developer Robert Fralin.

"I don't know what else we could ask from the developer," commission member Dan Canada said.

The zoning change would turn the Albert property on the north side of Peppers Ferry Road from agricultural to single-family residential, allowing Fralin to build Ivy Ridge.

The zoning change would be in line with the town's comprehensive plan, but Sage Lane residents say the additional traffic would create a nightmare for their already congested street. Many neighbors with multiple vehicles park along the street because of the small driveways.

In Fralin's original plan, Sage Lane, which branches off from New Village Drive, would be extended by creating a throughway where there is currently a cul-de-sac.

Residents vehemently opposed the request in February, which caused Fralin to withdraw the request even though he had received a planning commission recommendation in his favor.

He brought the request back before the council last month with added proffers, in hopes of appeasing residents.

The proffers state that no more than 20 homes would be built until a new road to Peppers Ferry Road is constructed, Sage Lane would not be the permanent main connection to Ivy Ridge, construction vehicles would not travel any roads in New River Village and no homes would be built until phase one of the widening of Peppers Ferry Road is complete.

Sage Lane residents who spoke against the development at the last council meeting said the proffers were too hypothetical and did not fix their traffic concerns.

The possible alternative egresses listed in the proffers, Albert Lane and the Belmont Christian Church property, came into question during the planning commission's discussion.

Fralin said he hasn't yet entered negotiations with Belmont Christian Church since the council's approval is a priority at this point, and Dexter Albert, the owner of Albert Lane, has said he is not interested in selling.

"This is planning for the future, that's what we do. ... I understand it may not be the most popular decision, but it's the right decision," Canada said.