The NewsLeader has coverage of the Augusta BOS approving by way of a split vote, the plans for a 775 unit housing development in the county at a time when there are efforts to find millions of dollars to fill the shortfall in education funds. This development, which is more than the 692 in the comprehensive plan, will only produce "dozens of jobs" and put further strain on the county budget if additional jobs are not brought to the area...
VERONA — Members of the Augusta County Board of Supervisors decided on a split vote Wednesday to grant a rezoning request for a 755-unit housing development planned off Barterbrook Road just outside Staunton's city limits.
One of the largest planned housing construction projects in recent times divided the board membership with a 4-3 vote. Opposing the plan were Chairman Tracy Pyles, who represents the Pastures District, North River Supervisor Marshall Pattie and Riverheads Supervisor Michael Shull.
Beverley Manor District Supervisor David Karaffa, who represents the area, supported the project, which he said would bring a $110 million investment to the county while creating dozens of jobs.
The area has been designated for growth in the county's comprehensive land use plan, but supervisors who voted in opposition noted that the number of residences to be included exceeds the 692 the comprehensive plan recommends for the area.
Some residents nearby voiced concerns during a public hearing for the rezoning request about traffic safety with the new cars the homes and apartments would bring and about construction noise and pollution to nearby Christians Creek.
One neighbor owner told supervisors Wednesday that she feared the apartment complex could lower property values.
Dubbed in planning records as "The Villages of Vista Ridge," the development plan calls for Boyd Homes to build as many as 400 apartments, 270 townhomes and duplexes and at least 85 homes. The community would be built in phases over 10 years, and the developer plans to make improvements to Barterbrook Road to deal with the added traffic.
Great.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the "dozens of jobs" will bring much tax revenue to the county. What, they got 3 kids each?
Yea much needed revenue. Sure. What was the county gripe during the construction boom? For every $1.00 of revenue the residential sector provides to the county, it costs the county $1.25 in services. So essentially this "investment in the county" is going to cost the county.
ReplyDeleteUntil the BOS shows a willingness to fund education at a reasonable level, they have no business approving new developments that will further strain our schools.
ReplyDeleteLovelle,
ReplyDeleteBig part of the argument to get rid of the Dept of Education is that there is so much money wasted there that should be sent to the states and local govts to spend on the children. Cut out that massive Fed Dept and use the funds where they will do the best....
Some of them can go work at the Fire Station there in Fishersville that Dr. Mike was SO successful in helping out that neither he nor any of his agitators were able to volunteer at personally or rally the community members to do so and as a result, it must cease operation as an independent Fire Company. The rest of the County must now pick up the tab for Dr. Mike's political triumph of will.
ReplyDeleteVolunteer firefighters are to be commended and supported, especially by those who can't serve. It strikes me as absurd that the rest of the county must pay for one of the richest areas of the county to have fire coverage because they refuse to volunteer in sufficient #s to support a system that works everywhere else in the County. Perhaps the BOS should seek permission from the GA for a special tax district to ease the burden on other areas for Fishersville's Fire needs?
Typical of this group to make the most noise in front of the camera and for their favorite local reporter but when the actual labor part comes along it's time to move along to a new crisis ie: School funding... Maybe the NewsVirginian can do a follow up story on the FD in Fishersville and who actually did anything?
ReplyDeleteI saw this numerous times during the campaigns when few were there to do the work part after the candidate left the event.....
This group is already seeking more money from Richmond to keep the Governors school open, maybe attaching a special tax district as suggested above would get something done and provide relief to the rest of the County who is paying for this "select" community?
Most folks realize that there are shared assets in the Yancy coverage area (hospital, Library, etc) that all county citizens should be supporting through the County's various blanket tax systems but there is NO equity in a situation where folks who refuse to support a volunteer system benefit from the rest of the county providing more generous support for paid firefighters in that same district to protect their property, which on the whole probably is worth as much or more then any other district covered by the other Companies. If its good enough for Yancy, it needs to be good enough for the rest of the county. Dr Mike, Pyles, Mitchell and Karaffa need to call for the Fishersville folks to step up and contribute more $$ either through a special tax or generous donations and continued fundraisers, just like the other Companies continue to do.
ReplyDeleteWhat we will continue to get is a "Look at what Dr Mike and Pyles did stepping up to get the rest of the county to foot the Bill for a failed Company!"(not the fault of the ones who did step up but a reflection of the failure of the community to support it)
Now we see "Dr. Mike" cranking up the parents and school kids to call their delegates in Richmond to save his job at the governors school. But don't tax him and his buddies on Emerald Hills to pay for the paid staff over at his firehouse. What a joke
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