Roanoke City Parks & Recreation is putting the finishing touches on a presentation it will make to City Council soon – before that board makes the final decision on the size of a Mill Mountain conservation easement. Parks & Recreation held two public input sessions, the second one last week, to gather input from citizens on what they want protected from development and what level of building, if any, they might be able to live with.
Department director Steve Buschor says the final size of the conservation easement that City Council will vote on – 500 acres or more – has not been determined. “We’re still working on that. The base of Mill Mountain is surrounded by 113 private properties,” notes Buschor. The conservation easement public meetings were designed to gather the thoughts of the public concerning the top of the mountain, on acreage “that they do not wish to have included in the conservation easement.”
Where that line will be drawn could partially determine if there would be space for development at the top of Mill Mountain, such as for the restaurant proposed by Valley Forward a few years ago. “Then we’ll know specifically about the number of acres,” notes Buschor. The Mill Mountain Land Use Plan would still help restrict any development on the mountain, much of which is a city park.
About 80-100 people showed up at the two public meetings, while another 100 or more took an online survey about Mill Mountain. Buschor said it was still “too early in the process,” to draw concrete conclusions about what residents want to see. “We are [still] very interested in hearing what people want to say.”
With the vast majority of Mill Mountain being on a slope, most don’t want to see development marring their view shed there, while some could live with more building near the summit. “[But] some people are adamantly opposed to building on top,” said Buschor.
Most of the mountain, except for acreage near the top, will most likely wind up in an easement, according to Buschor, who will assemble all of the information gathered for a presentation he will make to City Council. He expects another public hearing before council decides to either vote or table a vote on the easement; Buschor figures the whole process will be wrapped up by June.
Public input and the eventual vote on two easements at Carvins Cove is a model of sorts for the Mill Mountain process, according to Buschor. “The community …realizes what a wonderful asset Mill Mountain is – and very unique. They’re interested in making sure it’s sustainable for future generations, in one form or another.”
Mill Mountain Toll Booth Fundraiser: Originally opened in 1924, the former toll booth located on the old road that once led to the top of Mill Mountain has been steadily deteriorating and was recently damaged by a falling tree. Now an effort is underway to restore it, and a fundraiser at Rockledge Inn on Tuesday, April 6 (6:30 p.m. – 8) will aid that cause. Rockledge, now owned by Dr. Kevin and Nancy Dye, was once the home of former Mayor Ralph Smith. Tickets are $50 each for the fundraiser on Tuesday.
There has been “a tremendous groundswell of support. People started coming out and saying they’d give money,” notes Steve Buschor. Carilion has pledged $10,000 towards the 26K Roanoke City wants to raise. “It’s literally falling apart,” adds Buschor.
By Gene Marrano [email protected]