The Blue Ridge Land Conservancy has passed a resolution opposing the proposed rezoning of the Fotheringay property in Montgomery County.
The rezoning would permit the construction of 349 homes in Elliston.
The Montgomery County Planning Commission has voted 6-1 to forward the request for consideration by the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors at its Oct. 13 meeting.
“This rezoning request by Fotheringay, LLC, is completely out of character with the Elliston community and completely out of line with Montgomery County’s new comprehensive plan, which just went into effect on July 1,” said Blue Ridge Land Conservancy Executive Director David Perry. “The Elliston Straightaway is one of the most beautiful mountain valleys in the state of Virginia. To dramatically change the landscape overnight with nearly 350 homes is unconscionable.”
Perry said the rezoning request does not comply with Montgomery County’s comprehensive plan, which calls for “protecting the rural landscape that gives (Elliston) its identity” and not allowing Elliston to become a bedroom community for other places.
“But that’s exactly what the residents of Elliston would be getting—a bedroom community for people who work in Blacksburg or Roanoke. When the comprehensive plan was created, residents said this is exactly what they don’t want.”
Perry added that some of Montgomery County’s best farmland is along the Elliston Straightaway, where the Roanoke River has flooded and meandered over millennia.
“Montgomery County lost a staggering 16,500 acres of farmland and over 60 farms between 2017 and 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture,” Perry said. “Agriculture is Virginia’s No. 1 private industry. To build homes on your best farmland is short-sighted and bad business.”
The October Board of Supervisors meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 7:15 p.m. at the Montgomery County Government Center, 755 Roanoke St., Christiansburg.
Staff report
