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Planners vote yes to change in zoning
By Steve Keenan/For The Register-Herald
FAYETTEVILLE - The Fayetteville Planning and Zoning Commission has given unanimous approval to a much-debated zoning change.
The commission voted 3-0, with members Allen Ballard, Jim Akers and Rodney Myers assenting, to a change from residential to commercial development for a shopping complex proposed by Paramount Land Development Corp. and Neuhoff Taylor Architects that will feature a Wal-Mart Supercenter, a Lowe's and several other businesses.
Chairman Anthony Salvatore was absent due to a private obligation, said Ballard, the vice chairman who acted as chairman for Wed-nesday night's 10-minute hearing.
Joe Paramore, representing Paramount, was happy with the FPZC's decision.
"We're excited about it," Paramore said after the vote. "Hopefully now the town council will approve it.
"We're going to build a project that the town can be real proud of. It will be a real plus for the town."
Chris Dragan, who lives in the area that would be affected, didn't share Para-more's enthusiasm.
"I feel like we've been treated like second-class citizens," he said. "It's really sad to see that they chose to put commercial businesses in a residential area.
"I feel there was very little justification in them making their decision the way they did."
In announcing the commission's decision, Ballard noted a 1968 comprehensive plan that didn't include the parcel in town limits.
He also discussed the county-adopted U.S. 19 corridor management plan, which recommended B-1 and B-2 uses for the parcel.
The reason for the yes vote was three-fold, Ballard said:
- That the rezoning of the property doesn't violate or contradict the town's comprehensive plan or the U.S. 19 corridor management plan.
- That the application was deemed complete on March 23, 2004.
- That the property rezoning is in the best interests of the town.
He stressed that the "decision of the planning commission is advisory in nature only and not binding on council."
The onus now shifts to Fayetteville City Council, which will consider whether to greenlight the project at its regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. today in the Fayetteville High School auditorium.
According to Akers, also the Fayetteville mayor, public comment will be accepted. Speakers must sign up 15 minutes prior to the meeting.
Akers said there is no guarantee a vote will be cast tonight.
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Let's hope the city council stands fast for preservation.
Matt Crouch
St. Albans WV
By Steve Keenan/For The Register-Herald
FAYETTEVILLE - The Fayetteville Planning and Zoning Commission has given unanimous approval to a much-debated zoning change.
The commission voted 3-0, with members Allen Ballard, Jim Akers and Rodney Myers assenting, to a change from residential to commercial development for a shopping complex proposed by Paramount Land Development Corp. and Neuhoff Taylor Architects that will feature a Wal-Mart Supercenter, a Lowe's and several other businesses.
Chairman Anthony Salvatore was absent due to a private obligation, said Ballard, the vice chairman who acted as chairman for Wed-nesday night's 10-minute hearing.
Joe Paramore, representing Paramount, was happy with the FPZC's decision.
"We're excited about it," Paramore said after the vote. "Hopefully now the town council will approve it.
"We're going to build a project that the town can be real proud of. It will be a real plus for the town."
Chris Dragan, who lives in the area that would be affected, didn't share Para-more's enthusiasm.
"I feel like we've been treated like second-class citizens," he said. "It's really sad to see that they chose to put commercial businesses in a residential area.
"I feel there was very little justification in them making their decision the way they did."
In announcing the commission's decision, Ballard noted a 1968 comprehensive plan that didn't include the parcel in town limits.
He also discussed the county-adopted U.S. 19 corridor management plan, which recommended B-1 and B-2 uses for the parcel.
The reason for the yes vote was three-fold, Ballard said:
- That the rezoning of the property doesn't violate or contradict the town's comprehensive plan or the U.S. 19 corridor management plan.
- That the application was deemed complete on March 23, 2004.
- That the property rezoning is in the best interests of the town.
He stressed that the "decision of the planning commission is advisory in nature only and not binding on council."
The onus now shifts to Fayetteville City Council, which will consider whether to greenlight the project at its regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. today in the Fayetteville High School auditorium.
According to Akers, also the Fayetteville mayor, public comment will be accepted. Speakers must sign up 15 minutes prior to the meeting.
Akers said there is no guarantee a vote will be cast tonight.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Let's hope the city council stands fast for preservation.
Matt Crouch
St. Albans WV
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