The Shadow
Reid Walters, Alleghany County Administrator, reported to the Alleghany County Board of Supervisors at its regular meeting on Oct. 4, that $6 million has been received for the Alleghany Regional Conference Center pad site.
Walters informed the supervisors that the low bid for the development of the project was submitted by Branch Civil, Inc. for $9,785,000 and that negotiations would soon begin.
The purpose of the development of the RCC Pad Site is to attract businesses that will offer employment and increase the region’s tax base.
Currently, the 100-acre site is listed as Tier 2, and upon completion of the site’s development, it could become Tier 4, the top level of desirability for potential businesses.
The site being developed is Alleghany Highlands Economic Development Corporation’s No. 1 in its business plan, and the site is publically owned and commercially zoned.
According to Branch Civil, Inc., Phase I can be completed for $2,154,488, Phased II for $5,985,000, and Phase III for $1,325,513 which equals the winning bid of $9,785,000.
The sum that Walters released already received is $6.125 million. He reported that he is hopeful of securing another $5 million for the project via a grant proposal he is preparing.
A public hearing was conducted, and a lengthy discussion ensued about an application from Brandon Weiford and Amber Paxton to rezone Lot 11 of the Regional Commerce Center, located off Piney Ridge Road, from an Industrial M-1 classification to an Agricultural-Rural Residential AR zone classification for the purpose of building a home on the property.
The property is further identified as Tax Map 42, Lot 11, and it is in an “Industrial Area” as contained in the Comprehensive Plan.
Two letters were read by those opposing the rezoning, and during the discussion, it was pointed out that Adams Construction’s heavy trucks are active in the area where the old wagon road, approximately 15’ wide was once used. Adams Construction, one of the oldest asphalt companies, was not aware of the easement until the request to rezone the property was made.
Supervisor Stephen A. Bennett of the James River District expressed his concern about the safety of school children getting off a school bus in a construction area.
The area land there has no sewer service, and the discussion revealed that testing had been done that shows the land will perk. Additionally, the water source would have to be tapped into and pumped at the owner’s expense uphill.
There was no vote taken, and the supervisors agreed to take the matter up at its Nov. meeting.
Another public hearing to consider an amendment to the County Operating Budget for the fiscal year 2022-23 passed by a 7-0 vote.
It was stated that the amendment was needed due to carry forwards in the amount of $4,078,969.00 and outstanding encumbrances in the amount of $2,506,193.26 from the fiscal year 2021-22 budget. The total budget amendment passed is $6,585,162.26.
Susan Hammond, the VDOT resident engineer, presented an update on road repairs, and Supervisor Shannon P. Cox representing the Boiling Springs District noted that there are some dangerous roadside trees that need to be attended to and a tunnel that needs maintenance word due to debris that has collected inside it due to recent rains.
Sheriff Kevin Hall presented his report concerning animal control and litter control, and he briefed the supervisors on a new program that provides prisoners with digital mail rather than traditional mail, a system that increases safety by preventing the smuggling of anything by mail into the jail.
Suzanne Adcock-Nicely, director of finance, presented the supervisors with an update on the DHCD “Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Grant,” and she expressed her thanks to Teresa Hammond, the executive director of the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce & Tourism for the Chamber’s help in the administration of the grant program that helped area businesses and nonprofit organizations.
The supervisors voted 7-0 to provide personal property tax relief (PPTRA) rate for the tax year 2022.
Also, Calvin Fridley was approved by a 7-0 vote to represent the Boiling Springs District on the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Zachery Wright of the Thrasher Group which is doing construction work for the Town of Clifton Forge and other towns and cities in Virginia spoke to the supervisors and presented each one with a brochure concerning his employer’s company.
After each supervisor was given the opportunity to make comments, the meeting was adjourned by a 7-0 vote.
