Marty Gordon
NRVsports@mainstreetnewspapers.com
A controversial new residential project has been approved by Christiansburg town council after a tied vote.
Mayor Michael Barber broke the tie during the governmental body’s regular meeting this past week.
The measure will rezone 37.987 acres from Agricultural District (A) to Single-Family Residential District (R-1), thus allowing construction of 53 to 114 new homes along 300 Kimball Lane, SW. The rezoning includes five agreed upon proffers by the developer, Roger Woody, including:
The property shall be developed at a maximum density of 2.5 single family detached residential units per acre.
Any residential subdivision development on the subject parcel shall include the construction of a public road connection to Rogers Drive SW to facilitate connectivity for residential and emergency service vehicles.
Any road improvements warranted that are directly attributable to the proposed project based on final engineered site plans will be the owner’s responsibility, unless otherwise directed by the Town of Christiansburg Engineering Department.
The existing vegetated area located adjacent to the Walnut Grove subdivision shall be preserved above the existing grade elevation of 2190’ as determined by a topographic survey.
No more than fifty-three (53) R-1 single family detached residential units shall be constructed on the subject parcel within three years of the requested R-1 rezoning approval.
Residents near the proposed project expressed concern over the increased traffic and pedestrian safety. Before the vote, Christiansburg resident Lisa Bass, who lives on Kimball Lane, said the project is simply too large. She said she had seen too much new construction in the town before true infrastructure took place.
In other matters, council learned the Department of Criminal Justice Services has recertified the Christiansburg Police Department as a Certified Crime Prevention Community.