Glenvar, A Way of Life is Threatened

I've been a Roanoke County resident for 41 years with the exception of the 12 years I spent away at college, graduate school and a job in Blacksburg. My wife and two daughters and I recently relocated to the Glenvar Community. We were looking for a slow-paced, safe community with excellent academics and a small school atmosphere. We found that in Glenvar.

Most of my time as a citizen in Roanoke County was spent in Windsor Hills and Cave Spring. During my time in these other districts, I paid little attention to the Glenvar area. That all changed when it came to selecting the best place to raise my daughters and hopefully retire. Unless you live in Glenvar or know someone who does, it's hard to imagine how wonderful it is. And even though I've only lived in the area for 10 months, the people are welcoming, hardworking and very supportive of one another. It's a true community. It's a way of life.

It saddens me to think that this way of life and community is being threatened. If you don't know by now, Adam's Construction has proposed that an area along West Main in Glenvar be rezoned to heavy industrial to accommodate an asphalt plant. The current zoning is I-1, which is essentially light industrial and commercial. This wouldn't be such a threat to the community's way of life if the proposed site didn't sit 500 yards from our three schools, several hundred yards from a daycare and several churches, a half mile from Richfield Retirement Community, and 1/4-1/2 miles from several hundred homes.

This rezoning, if approved, will increase heavy truck traffic on the same roads that enter and exit our schools, churches, neighborhoods and the retirement community. Pollutants will also engulf our community. Everyone is aware of the pollutants that asphalt plants emit. There's no disputing that. Even the asphalt company acknowledges that there's no way to prevent all of the hazardous pollutants. The company is so aware of this fact that they have promised to "spray down" the asphalt with water and plant trees 12 feet high around the facility to reduce the large particulate matter. That action alone proves they know the risks of the chemicals to the health of the community. And lastly, this rezoning will add to the negative perception of the community, cause home values to fall, and open the door to other such zoning requests.

Let me be very clear. The Glenvar community is not against growth. We want growth, but we want responsible, safe and appropriate growth. What most people don't know is that Adam's Construction has other site options that are more appropriate. The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors will vote on this issue on March 24th at 7pm. I hope and pray they will choose to represent the people.

If you are a citizen of Roanoke County, please sign up here as a Glenvar Follower. And please contact your Roanoke County Board of Supervisor Representative and tell him or her to vote against the rezoning. They have the power to protect Glenvar's way of life as well as the quality of life for all Roanoke County Citizens.
Contact your Board of Supervisors!