| Lerone Graham

lerone.graham@roanoke.com, 381-8621

CHRISTIANSBURG -- Town officials may reverse developer Robert Fralin's decision to nix the idea of building a second entrance at Sage Lane to the proposed Ivy Ridge subdivision -- a plan that for three years has been a point of contention for residents of New River Village.

During Tuesday night's joint public hearing on a rezoning request that would allow Ivy Ridge to be developed, Planning Director Randy Wingfield said the Sage Lane connection through New River Village should be made for "general connectivity" and "emergency access reasons."

Fralin's request is to rezone the 21.61-acre Albert property on the north side of Peppers Ferry Road from agricultural to single-family residential and allow him to build the 78-home subdivision.

Fralin brought the plan before the council once in 2007 and twice in 2009. All requests were denied.

In previous versions of the plan, Ivy Ridge would connect to New River Drive through Sage Lane, a short road that now ends in a cul-de-sac. This version of the plan calls for Fralin to use Albert Lane to access the new subdivision. He took a secondary Sage Lane connection out of the plan Friday, citing public outcry.

But Wingfield sent an e-mail to town officials hours before the joint town council-planning commission public hearing on the matter, saying that town administration, planning and engineering staff think the Sage Lane connection needs to remain.

For the public hearing, the council chambers was packed with more than 60 people, some standing or sitting on the floor. Others had to watch from outside the door. Discussion on Ivy Ridge lasted an hour and a half.

Steve Semones, a representative for Fralin, addressed the council during the hearing and answered questions. He said he went to the neighborhood and spoke with residents Friday afternoon, as well.

"The whole intent of [limited partnership company] Albert Land was to be a good neighbor," Semones said.

Neighbors reiterated their opposition to a connection through Sage Lane, the main point being an increase in traffic on an already narrow street would pose a safety threat to the 24 children who live on the street.

Sage Lane resident Liz Edwards said 17 of them are too young to determine when it is safe to cross the street. She is the parent of a 2-year-old and a newborn.

"We have no pavement. Where does my daughter learn to ride a bike, but in that street?" Edwards said teary-eyed.

Councilman-elect and Sage Lane resident Cord Hall caught the eye of the public last year when speaking against the rezoning request. Hall said he didn't plan to speak Tuesday, but during the public hearing felt compelled to express his concern for the safety of the neighborhood children.

"Nothing gets me going like children," he said.

Hall said this cycle of stress and worry repeats itself when Fralin keeps bringing the request before council.

"You all are killing me," Hall said, speaking as both a "citizen and a father."

Stuart Mease, a resident of Wistaria Drive, a block from Sage Lane, urged his neighbors to keep in mind the lifestyle Fralin provided them through the creation of New River Village. With Ivy Ridge more residents can live "this same American dream," he said.

The significance of the council's decision is more complex than a "not in my backyard" argument, as it will create numerous jobs and homes, Mease said.

"The macrosignificance of this decision cannot be overlooked," he said.

Semones reiterated during the public hearing that Sage Lane is no longer being considered in Fralin's request, despite recommendations made to the town. Wingfield's e-mail states that town staff will act on Sage Lane based upon the will of the council.

The council is expected to vote on the rezoning next month.

In other action, the council:

n Heard an update from John Neel on the Huckleberry Trail project.

n Tabled a planned discussion on budget cuts because Mayor Richard Ballengee and Councilman Brad Stipes were absent.

n Unanimously named Assistant Town Manager Barry Helms as interim town manager, effective Aug. 1 to replace outgoing Town Manger Lance Terpenny.