HEADLINES: WEEK OF FEBRUARY 22, 2012

Pearisburg council approves conditional use permit

.The Pearisburg Town Council held a joint public hearing to consider a conditional use permit application during the February 14, 2012 council meeting.
The public hearing was held to seek comment on the proposed use of a tract of land owned by Giles County Public Schools located adjacent to Giles High School (GHS). The owner proposes to develop a new agriculture laboratory on the parcel to include construction of a barn and other farm buildings for the purpose of raising livestock and operation as an educational facility in conjunction with Giles County school programs.
Speaking for the owner, Giles County Building Official and Zoning Administrator John Mills told council members that the intent is to develop an actual working farm on the property to give students a real life view of what it takes to run a farm. He also mentioned that he was aware of concerns raised regarding setback lines and numbers of large animals on the property. "We are going to be good neighbors," said Mills. "We're going to abide by what you write down for us – there's not going to be any problems."
The town council had approved a request to rezone the property from Planned Unit Development (R-6) to Agricultural-Residential (AR-1) after a public hearing held at the January 10, 2012 council meeting.
Pearisburg Town Manager Ken Vittum told council members that the Pearisburg Planning Commission had reviewed the request and recommended approval with the provision of a 100 feet setback requirement on the western side of the property.
Council member Jimmie Williams stated that he felt there should be a limit as to the number of large animals allowed on the property at any one time. Based on the acreage, Williams recommended a maximum of 50 large animals allowed on the property.
After further discussion, the public hearing was closed.
By unanimous vote, council approved the conditional use permit with the recommended provisions regarding setback requirements and number of large animals allowed.
In another matter, council discussed a proposal to subdivide property that will be developed for commercial use located on Boxwood Lane near McDonald's Restaurant.
According to Vittum, the property is an excess lot left over from the original Wal Mart project. The triangle shaped lot, containing 0.574 acres, will revert to the Giles County Industrial Development Authority, which will then sell the lot to a developer.
Vittum pointed out that the major issue with the lot is its size, which does not meet lot size requirements in the town zoning ordinance, which requires a minimum size of one acre.
In discussion, Pearisburg Town Attorney James Hartley stated that the proposed lot has become limited in size by barriers created by lots owned by the town and the Giles County Public Service Authority (PSA) as well as an existing maintenance easement, a site easement, a permanent easement and several access easements. He suggested that the planning commission and town staff review the proposed plat and develop options for consideration by council.
Council also discussed information provided by the PSA on the proposed River Withdrawal Project.
Vittum pointed out that the application for funding contains the projected rates that were used for each of the localities.
In addition, the PSA has presented an addendum to Giles County's plan for future waterline extension projects that basically shows how they're going from the current usage to well over two million gallons a day in 20 years. "It's pretty much a build out of anything you can build whether it's feasible or not," said Vittum. "It's about 17 or 18 projects and my assumption is that they are assuming 100% connections."
Vittum said that the PSA had stated to council that the county had only achieved 30% connections on the last project.
Pearisburg's rate would go from the current $1.75 per thousand gallons to $2.68. There is an additional $0.18 per thousand gallon rate to cover debt service on the PSA storage tank project that has been in effect for the past several years.
In response to a question, Vittum stated that the towns of Narrows and Pembroke as well as Pearisburg had stated opposition to the proposed project.
Vittum also stated that the PSA had told him that the information was preliminary and had not been presented to the PSA board of directors. He then went on say that some of the "numbers" provided need further explanation in order to meet the rate calculation in the Pearisburg User Agreement. The PSA data needs to break out costs associated with water production and distribution that meet the requirements of the contract.
Council member Christi Eaton said that she was concerned that the town had never explained why it was against the project. Other PSA members are asking for specifics as to why Pearisburg does not support the project. "We did not answer the question," said Eaton. "So I just think, that whatever we decide, needs to be written down and made clear to everybody involved."
At this point Hartley asked how the PSA had determined future demand for increased water production.
Vittum responded that the data is apparently based on projected expansion of county distribution systems.
Hartley said that while the town has stated the issue of cost as a concern, the issue of an increased demand based on projected county system expansion, with only a 30% connection rate, results in a huge increase in costs of transportation as well as building production for a demand that doesn't exist.
Vittum said that the Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) stated that the current system did not have a tremendous increase in usage over the 20 year period and that most of the usage came from the build-out of some $65 million in county projects.
"You also have to remember that the engineers do have financial incentives to make these projects go," said Hartley.
Vittum said he thought a good question for the county is how much in engineering fees have been collected by one or two firms. "I think you'd be somewhat surprised at the total dollars," said Vittum. "I'm guessing in the neighborhood of five to six million dollars."
Vittum stated that the town staff would continue review of the information provided by the PSA.
Hartley asked that he be provided a copy of the proposed project PER.
On recommendation by the Dogwood Farms Review Board, and the town Planning Commission, council approved a site plan for the Fairview Enterprises project involving construction of two buildings near the Carilion Giles Community Hospital.
In his water/sewer project update, Vittum told council that Rural Development, the project-funding agency, is reviewing the bids prior to approving contract award. He feels that closing on financing should occur in early March and expects start of construction by March 15. Project construction is estimated at 10 months with completion anticipated by November 2012.
In his fire station project update, Vittum said that construction might be a little ahead of schedule. If progress continues at the present rate, completion could occur in late June or early July.
Council also approved a new ordinance requiring helmets and face protection for operators and passengers on mopeds being operated in town on a public street or highway.

Giles County kindergarten registration for 2012-13

Registration of kindergarten students for the 2012-13 school year will be held on March 20, 22, and 27 in Giles County Schools.
A child may begin kindergarten if he or she has reached the age of five on or before September 30, 2012. Children who are five by September 30 may enroll or the parents must notify the school that they will wait a year.
Children who are six years old by September 30 must enroll in kindergarten (Code of VA 22.1-254). It is extremely important that parents register their child so that adequate school planning can be made.
Registrations are scheduled at each school on separate dates. To permit a more efficient registration process with less waiting, parents should bring the child with them to the school according to the following time schedule (according to your child's last name). If you are not able to attend, please notify your child's school.
March 20 - Macy McClaugherty School, (921-1363): 9:00 - 10:30 (A – J); 10:00-11:30 (K – O); 1:00- 2:15 (P – Z);
March 22 - Narrows Elementary/Middle School, (726-2391): 9:00 - 10:30 (A – J); 10:00-11:30 (K – O); 1:00 - 2:15 (P – Z);
March 27 - Eastern Elementary/Middle School, (626-7281): 9:00 - 10:30 (A – J); 10:00-11:30 (K – O); 1:00 - 2:15 (P – Z).
Parents should bring to the registration their child's official birth certificate (not hospital certificate), social security card, immunization record, and school entrance health form (if completed).
The School Health Coordinator will check immunization records and advise parents of any incomplete immunizations. Parents should schedule appointments with a private physician or the health department for children to receive immunizations still needed prior to entering school this fall.
Personnel from the schools will be present to assist, answer questions, and work with you to ensure your child a successful start in kindergarten.
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask at registration. We look forward to meeting you and your child.

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