Rich Cranwell Speaks to the Countryside Property

I believe the City should maintain Countryside as a municipal golf course--for reasons due to planning, and prioritization of this City's resources. I also believe that, should the City pursue development again, that the citizens need to be included in the process.

Thus far, the development proposals have been unsatisfactory to either the citizens, our City council, our City management, or some combination of these players. The last round of proposals were rejected. No city should develop an area for development's sake and since there is no plan, and attempts to secure proposals have been widely unsuccessful, the City should leave the land undeveloped for the immediate future.

In terms of our priorities, the City collects roughly $17,500 a year from this golf course. This certainly is not much revenue, but it is still a profit. Our City needs to turn its attention to more immediate areas, including our City Market Building--which lost $120,000 in 2007. I believe our energies and resources are better spent refurbishing the market building and finding a way for it to make a profit.

I believe it is worthwhile to look into some limited projects for parts of Countryside. It would seem beneficial to look at possibilities for some municipal soccer and sports courses to increase the space available for our children all over the city to use.

Any future proposals, and any investigations of possibilities for soccer fields, etc. I believe, require citizen input. The citizens, council, and City management need to work together on this and I would not make a decision about development without input from all three of these sources.

Councilman Fitzpatrick's Thoughts on the Countryside Property

"I am happy to respond and appreciate the opportunity to let you and your neighborhood know my thoughts. As you know, the city got interested in the land when we found it was for sale as we have so little land left in the city. One of the largest issues facing us is the fact that as an Independent city, we have so few ways to find revenue to pay for citizen services compared to cities like us in the other 49 states.

Virginia is the only state that has separate local governments where we do not have joint services mandated by state statute. That means that our costs are higher in so many ways than they would be if we were part of the normal city/county structure found in the other states. If we were like Charlotte or Greensboro, once the population density of an area gets to a certain level, that area is automatically annexed into those city's boundaries. That leads to new sources of revenue, new land for growth and a positive way to move that community ahead. There is a very good balance that comes with that kind of policy. The General Assembly of Virginia has so far chosen not to deal with this central issue. If it does not change, taxes for our citizens in the city will eventually have to rise to unfair rates for our citizens because we will have no new options for growth with no land to develop. That is the real reason Council got so interested in the availability of Countryside as we see this coming and no state changes that will help us out of a very tough financial situation in the making.

Since we have so little land, City Council wants to make sure we develop the acreage we have left with good, solid, planned development that can add to the value of any current neighborhoods( like Countryside) in any of the very few areas where we can grow and increase our tax base accordingly as we try to provide the services all citizens need. With the highest per capita age of residents in Virginia we are not in an enviable position and see our annual costs for public safety and EMS along with many other services going up and up with no long term way to find any solution.

The land at Countryside is a valuable asset to Roanoke and we do not want to see any project that would devalue current property or be developed in a way that is not good for the city or you and your neighbors. What we may have to see, however is some kind of effort to use that land wisely. My background is in Economic Development and I have worked on every kind of project you can imagine and to me, land is the basic value of a city and we all have an obligation to manage its development so it is done well. As a person with years in the field of economic development I expected a lot when we asked for a proposed plan for Countryside. At the time it was announced, I know of no one who liked it including me. It was not what we need knowing the potential of your area and its vitality to Roanoke. It clearly did not take into consideration many of the issues that your group brought to the table.

I have not taken a position at this time on Countryside as there is no active plan on the table. I know there are many who want to keep the golf course open and if someone comes up with a plan that would make improvements so it would be a quality course, and can show us it will make a good investment of taxpayers money, I have no problem supporting the concept. Just as I did on the other plan process, I would support as much communication as we can allow when dealing with a private sector developer and as many meetings as necessary with residents of the area. One thing I know about is that the best developers in the country, will run if their names get used to quickly and publicity is made public before financing and contacts with involved parties can take place. The other thing that is most clear is that any plan has to be more detailed and public than that by any private land owner because, we (the city) as the owners, will not do something that will adversely affect the area. If this had been bought by a private owner, there would be very little we could to to affect development as long as they followed the city's comprehensive plan. It is a good thing that we purchased the property as that will always protect you and your neighbors interest's more thoroughly.

No one on Council wants to see Countryside changed so much that it is only a commercially developed area. That is not what is best for Roanoke or your neighborhood. What is needed is some kind of plan done with the residents involvement, both parties being realistic about accepting some change and seeing what commitments can be made by the city with funding it gets from the right kind of new development.

I drive by the new Biomed area each day on my way to work and it is amazing to see what is happening there. It will be a great job producer, one that we have needed for a very long time and with it will come the need for more housing, condos, retail, entertainment and athletic venues. It is not what it used to be, it is not really nor will it likely be a neighborhood, but it will impact every neighborhood in the city and even the Valley. It could even be the genesis of some new ideas you and your neighbors may have about residential growth at Countryside.

I have never taken a position on a potential project until I understand all I can about it. I will do the same with Countryside when and if we have a plan to consider. Committing up front, politically or otherwise, is not what we need in our leadership today. We need to have a valid, neighborhood sensitive, good for the city plan to review and so far, I see none in the pipeline.

What I will promise you, your neighbors and all citizens of Roanoke, is to do my best to make the best decisions I can based on the facts and what I think will be in the best interest of the citizens of the City of Roanoke whenever a proposal or project like this comes to our attention. That is what I have always done and it has worked well for me as I try to be fully informed before making decisions that affect the city, its future and most importantly, its citizens.

Since I was 10 years old Roanoke has been the thing in my life most important except family. My goal as a teenager with my first driver's license was to drive on every street in the city. I did that and it was amazing to see all the different parts of Roanoke and how this wonderful city fits together. My roots are in NW with my parents both growing up there so that was one of the areas of the city I knew early on. With annexation came an entirely new city and lots of new territory to learn!

The greatest honor one can have is to be elected to represent citizens. I take it unusually seriously as I am the oldest person on Council and remember so much of our history, both bad and good. It is a great place to live and work but we have some very large issues that will affect everyone in the city if we do not make good choices. As my dad told me before I left Roanoke to go to Ferrum Junior College, "there is something no one can take away from you but you can give it away in 30 seconds. That is your integrity." I live by that quote and always have and it has stood the test of time. I hope I can always do that until the day I am no longer here. The Judge was a very insightful person and taught me a lot that has made me a better person.

Thanks for the chance to respond to your request. Let me know whenever I can be of help to you or your neighbors. Bev"

Countryside Property Too Noisy ...

September 27, 1982, Roanoke City Council Minutes - Airport-Sale/Purchase of Property: The City Manager (Bern Ewert) submitted a written report advising that an Environmental Impact Assessment Report done in conjunction with planning for the Runway extension identified areas with high noise impact and encouraged the City to apply for a grant to acquire properties affected by a certain level of noise. Funds have been made available for land acquisition. The City Manager recommended purchase of 14 individual homes and Builders Investment Group (then the owners of Countryside). The total consideration offered or expended shall not exceed $562,500 without further authorization of Council. CLICK ON THE MAP TO ENLARGE.

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From the minutes of the September 20th, 2006, Roanoke Regional Airport Commission Meeting: There was discussion among the members regarding the Countryside Golf Course property and the City of Roanoke’s recent one year renewal of its lease. It was suggested that the Commission go on record advising the City of Roanoke that any residential projects planned for that area include sound proofing. Ms. Shuck indicated that she would prepare a letter to the City for the Chairman’s signature.

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The Roanoke Times September 30th, 2006: The executive director for Roanoke Regional Airport, Jacqueline Shuck, has weighed in on city plans to develop the property currently occupied by Countryside Golf Course. Her concern: noise that will annoy new residents.

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She confirmed last week that she has reminded city officials that parts of the land lie in the airport's noise impact zone and any developer that builds homes there should strongly consider sound insulation.

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Shuck went public with her concerns after questions were raised at an airport commission meeting held Aug. 20. They come at a pivotal time for the city, which is considering a proposal to develop the 123-acre property southwest of the airport along Interstate 581.

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Because of its proximity to the airport, commission member Fuzzy Minnix wanted to make sure the city was aware that some of the land overlaps with areas the airport considers heavily affected by the buzz of airplanes flying overhead -- a move he said could help the airport avoid complaints from new residents moving into the area.

Mayor Harris, I was not invited ...

As Democratic Committee District Leader for Northwest City I was not invited to Mayor Harris' candidacy announcement. Mayor Harris is again seeking the Democratic nomination for Mayor of Roanoke City. I thought maybe I missed the announcement in my "in box" ... nope, not there. I checked my phone messages, nope nary a one.

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I called other members in my District and other Districts and nope they were not invited either.

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What am I thinking we were Bowers supporters at the Democratic Committee's reorganization so I guess all that unifying talk was just that ... "talk".

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Then again The Roanoke Times and WDBJ7 reported that Mayor Harris was surrounded by 30 officials and members of the business community. Not a "working class" citizen to be found in the bunch. I hope they enjoyed their unifying moment.

Councilman Lea's Position On Countryside

Here is word for word Councilman Sherman Lea's response to my request for his position on the Countryside Golf Course Property:
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"Before I comment directly on Countryside, let me state that during the campaign season all citizens will have to separate the two R’s. They are record and rhetoric. I stand on my record of nearly four years of committed service to all of the citizens of Roanoke. I have adamantly, clearly and without hesitation stood with and for the citizens of the Countryside neighborhood.

I recall the first neighborhood meeting with Councilman Brian Wishneff, at that time City Planner Brian Townsend and myself at which Councilman Wishneff and myself advised all those in attendance that we would do everything we could to see that members of the neighborhood be involved in the development process of Countryside. My position has not changed. I, again, stand on my record of supporting Countryside and my clear position that the 18-hole golf course be maintained and that representatives from the community be included on the committee to oversee any development that will take place in this neighborhood.

I have and continue to stress as a public servant and I emphasize the word “servant” that we as a governing body listen to citizens. I have not only visited with members of the community in their homes, but attended cookouts to let everyone know that my word is my bond. I want to continue to be that voice for the citizens on Roanoke City Council. Therefore, I am respectfully asking each and every citizen in the community for your support and vote in the upcoming Democratic Primary Election in February and then, hopefully, on to the May election where I would hope to be elected to serve you for four more years. I hope that through my work with the citizens during the last four years you feel that you can depend on me to speak out to voice your concerns. As many of you recall, I pushed through the Planning Commission and Council the renaming the golf course The Roy Stanley Golf Course. That effort was successful as all of the Planning Commission except one voted to approve the name change. I feel that there is a majority vote on Council to also support this change. However, I have placed that name change in abeyance because I advised the family I did not want that to become a “political football”. I still have expectations that this will take place within the next twelve to eighteen months.
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Again, I urge all citizens to just look at the record of where I stood on all issues during my tenure on Council. Please refer my to web page at ShermanLea.com, click on my announcement of candidacy speech and read it in its entirety. Also, I urge you to look at the multimedia reports that will share with you some of my thoughts on Countryside and other issues that affect you on a daily basis. Thank you for your support in the past and I appreciate and respectfully ask you for your continued support as I seek re-election to Roanoke City Council. As I said in my candidacy speech, this is your city and you have honored me the last four years to work on your behalf and I can sincerely say that I have done that to the best of my ability. Again, please support the re-election of Sherman P. Lea to Roanoke City Council."

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Thank you Councilman Lea for taking the time to respond.

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I will be asking all the candidates when they announce for Roanoke City Council or Mayor their position on the future of the Countryside Golf Course Property. Mr. Rich Cranwell will formally announce his candidacy on January 12th and will respond after his announcement. Any candidate who does not respond will be duly noted. Even a negative response will be better than no response at all. No response is as good as saying "I don't care about you".

The Roanoke Times - December 1982

Roanoke takes option to buy golf course for $1.5 million

- By Mag Poff, Senior Writer - December 28, 1982

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Roanoke City Council has taken an option on Countryside Golf Course as part of a deal for purchase of 14 parcels from the same owners for airport use.

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Councilman James Trout, chairman of the Economic Development Commission, said it will use the 120-day option to negotiate with any developers who want to swap industrial land for the residential land at the golf course.

The Option permits the city to buy the land from Builders Investment Group of Philadelphia for $1.5 million.

Trout said the city will not operate the golf course, which lies along Interstate 581, nor will it attempt to develop the 174 acres for industry.

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Council, after a 20-minute executive session Monday, unanimously gave formal approval to taking of the option under the plan proposed by Trout.

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Trout said the consideration for the option is the $133,800 price the city will pay to buy the 14 parcels for airport protection and development. The Fedral Aviation Administration will reimburse 80 percent of that cost and the state another 10 percent.

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The land will be acquired by the end of this week. Trout said the city needs the 14 parcels for the airport regardless of any interest in the option.

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But as part of the deal, the Philadelphia owners also agreed to give the city an option, to last four months, to buy the golf course for $1.5 million.

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Should the city pick up the option, Trout said, the $133,800 payment for the 14 parcels will become a credit against the $1.5 million price, reducing it by that amount.

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Under the plan, the city would swap the golf course land for the industrial land. The golf course could be developed for condominiums, apartments or other use consistent with residential zoning.

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(So what happened after this - mystery Philadelphia owners? Obviously the golf course was not purchased/swapped ... we would not be here now if they had followed through with the option to purchase Countryside Golf Course. Another short-sighted decision? More to come from Stephanie Moon, Roanoke City Clerk, and minutes of the Council meetings during this time.)

The difference between then and now besides 25 years, $2.6 million, and less land is that - WE LIVE HERE NOW! As many as 100 homes have been built since then. The Countryside Drive homes in about 1998 and Mattaponi between the 10th and 12th fairways from 1999 - 2002. A. Byron Smith on Cheraw Lake in 1984 as well as new homes on Lewiston and Laurel Ridge. All of us bought to be on the open green space of a golf course and not crammed into a dense housing development. We bought and built here because it was "something special". All the while we were unknowingly moving in - Roanoke City was "knowingly" planning our demise. The City then does not understand why we feel so betrayed. The time to buy the property is past ... it is too late ... citizen's property will be diminished and their quality of life will suffer. As I mentioned earlier the business community does not want to see it developed for a different reason. They want it saved for expansion of runway 6 so Roanoke does not loose another opportunity like Dell Computers who would have located here if 747s could have taken off from Roanoke Regional Airport. We support their reason as well. CLICK HERE FOR THE DELL ROANOKE TIMES ARTICLE.

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** A big "thank you" to Belinda Harris, The Roanoke Times Librarian, for sending the clipping.

New Art Museum Poll

Vote here on whether you think the Art Museum will be a BOOM to downtown bringing tourists and dollars to Roanoke City? Or will it be a BUST and suck money from Roanoke City taxpayers?

Will the Art Museum be named after Taubman as The Roanoke Times article "Couple give $15 million to museum" suggests - "The Taubman Museum of Western Virginia"?

CLICK HERE FOR The New York Times Sunday article on the museum.

Regarding my prior post "Looking Back 25 Year - Countryside Golf Course" - I am waiting for a response from Stephanie Moon, our Roanoke City Clerk for minutes of the December 1982 Council meetings regarding Countryside Golf Course. Belinda Harris, the Roanoke Times Librarian, is sending me clippings from the period as well. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the help of good people like our Roanoke City Clerk and Belinda Harris.