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HomeMy WebLinkAbout003-94 C.L. Robinson Corp. - RA-B3 - Back Creek Dist. - Backfile (2)Page is too large to OCR. B4 THE WINCHESTER STAR, Saturday, May 21, 1994 Some Upset over Proposed VDOT Move Round Hill Community Residents Worry Traffic, Noise Could Threaten Property Values By TIM BULLIS The Winchester Star Some Round Hill community residents are up in arms over where the Virginia Department of Transportation wants to move its district office. A proposal, passed May 4 by the Frederick County Planning Commission and to be dis- cussed by the Board of Supervi- sors on June 8, calls for a 16- acre parcel of land at U.S. 50 West and Round Hill Road to be designated for industrial zoning. If that land is rezoned, VDOT has said it will buy the site and relocate its district of- fices from Commerce Street in Winchester. The price VDOT will pay for the land has not been disclosed. Although there are two junk- yards and the Stuart M. Perry Quarry on Round Hill Road, residents say the neighborhood is residential and should stay that way. The land, owned by C.L. Rob- inson Corp., is now zoned for residential use. At the May 4th Planning Commission meeting, commissioners approved (with a 7-1 vote and two commission- ers abstaining) a request for the land to be rezoned for in- dustrial use. The commission's approval went against the recommenda- tion of the Frederick County Planning Department, which surprised some area residents. Among the concerns listed in a Planning Department report to the commission is the pos- sible increase in traffic and noise in the neighborhood, as well as what would become of the land if VDOT abandoned it. Frederick County Board of Supervisors Chairman Richard Dick said he was contacted by several of the Round Hill resi- dents, but reserved comment on the proposal until hearing from both sides. H. Delmer Robinson Jr., chairman of the board of direc- tors for C.L. Robinson Corp., told commissioners at the Plan- ning Commission meeting that VDOT approached him about the plan, and said he also had concerns about the outcome of the project. Robinson could not be reached for comment, and did not return phone calls from The Winchester Star at the beginning of the week. He was out of town during later in the week. Bill Bushman, a VDOT resi- dent engineer based in Edin- burg, said Tuesday that VDOT has been looking for a new lo- cation for two years. He said the current 5.24-acre office site on Commerce Street is too long and narrow, which makes it difficult to get equipment out. The site on U.S. 50 West and Round Hill Road would be cen- trally located in Frederick County, Bushman said. Bushman said VDOT origi- nally looked at land on U.S. 522 North near the school bus lot, but that property had drainage problems. VDOT also looked at an un- disclosed site on U.S. 11 North, Bushman said. However, there were environmental concerns about that piece of property. VDOT representatives saw land on U.S. 522 North they thought was owned by Rob- inson and contacted him about the land. They ended up being shown the land on U.S. 50 West, Bushman said. Local residents gathered ear- lier this week at the home of John Stevens, a Round Hill resident, to discuss opposition to the rezoning. Round Hill resident Jack Ball criticized the Planning Commission for going against the recommendation of the planning staff. "What do we have a planning staff for?," Ball asked. Another Round Hill resident, Helen Hodges, criticized the Planning Commission for not listening to their concerns. "It's like they already had their minds made up," she said. Stevens is one of 47 Round Hill residents to sign a petition against the proposed rezoning. "It's a rural community, and there's no type of that zoning around here," he said. Back Creek Supervisor James L. Longerbeam, who represents the residents who would be affected by the rezon- ing, said earlier this week he The commission's approval went against the recom- mendation of the Frederick County Planning Depart- ment, which surprised some area residents. Among the concerns listed in a Planning Department report to the commission is the possible increase in traffic and noise in the neighborhood, as well as what would become of the land if VDOT abandoned it. will go into the discussions with an open mind. Longerbeam said a couple of residents have contacted him with their concerns. He said he advised the residents to let all of the supervisors know the feelings of the residents. Jimmie K. Ellington, a su- pervisor representing the Gainesboro district, said he was unaware there was a prob- lem with the proposal, until was contacted by Stevens. El- lington said he will meet with Stevens this week to look into the issue. One of the concerns raised by Stevens is the possible destruc- tion of historic land. Stevens' home, Walnut Grove, is men- tioned in a passage in a book about the Second Battle of Winchester (1864) written by Dr. Brandon Beck and Charles Grunder. Stevens' stone house, built in the 1750s, is also re- ferred to in the book. Stevens' house will be only 100 to 200 yards from the pro- posed site. "Every time they start up, or go, or come, we'll have that much more noise," he said. Stevens said he also thinks the hill on the site where VDOT wants to move was once a Confederate camp. He said that of the ap- proximately 200 homes in the area, about six are historic. Stevens said he is planning on contacting the Winchester - Frederick County Historical Society to see if they will take a stand on the issue. Wetlands on the property would also probably be de- stroyed if the land were re- zoned, Ball argued. Noise and increased traffic are other problems that con- cern the area residents. Bushman said all VDOT ve- hicles have mufflers, adding "I don't think that's going to be as noisy as people perceive." Ball said too many trucks are already on the road from Stu- art M. Perry Quarry. A move by VDOT will increase traffic on the road and endanger chil- dren playing in the neighbor- hood, Ball added. He suggested VDOT go to Stonewall or Fort Collier industrial parks. "This is crazy for them to come out here," he added. With a quarry, a railroad, and a fire station in the area, Ball said, "We need those extra trucks rolling around like we need a hole in our head." The speed limit on the road is 45 mph, which Hodges called "crazy." Bushman said, however, that most of the VDOT trucks will use U.S. 50 West. "The bottom line is this is a neighborhood, and it's zoned as a neighborhood, and they should be in an industrial park," Ball said. Bushman said VDOT checked into possible available sites in local industrial parks, but Stonewall Industrial Park in Frederick County was the only one with space available. A VDOT building there would have put VDOT behind three trucking companies that could block in VDOT trucks. "It's not going to produce any tax money," Ball said. The land could be a strip mall site, something Ball said he would rather see on the land than an industry. Resident Sarah Plumly said, "I would rather have something I could use." She said she would rather see a residential area or offices on the lot. "Who's benefiting from this?" Stevens questioned. Excavating the site would be an astronomi- cal cost, he predicted. "The only one that's really benefiting is C.L. Robinson Corp.," Stevens said. Bill Bushman, a VDOT resident engi- neer based in Edinburg, said Tues- day that VDOT has been looking for a new location for two years. He said the current space for offices, in Win- chester on Commerce Street, is too long and narrow, and makes it dif- ficult to get equipment out. The site on U.S. 50 West and Round Hill Road would be centrally located in Frederick County, Bushman said. Stevens also argued property values will decrease if the land is rezoned. Although no official assessment has been taken, W.R. Ashwood, a Round Hill resident for 29 years whose property will directly border the proposed site, estimated his property would lose $25,000 in value. Stevens also argued salt and chemicals from the proposed site could saturate the ground. Abrams Creek starts in that area, he added, and any prob- lems could affect the water. Bushman said the salt and any other chemicals would be put in a container with liners to stop any saturation. Stevens argued liners wouldn't do any- thing for debris falling off of the trucks. Some of the residents are also worried about what will happen to the land if VDOT doesn't build there, but the land is still rezoned. "The only money authorized is for the purchase of land," Bushman said. There are no plans for construction until the 1996 fiscal year, he added. "If they get the zoning, and then decide not to build here, it's still set up for industrial," Ball said. When the majority of the people came here, they knew the quarry and the junk yards were here, but they didn't expect VDOT to come At left is the site of the Vir- ginia Department of Trans- portation's office and stor- age on Commerce Street in Winchester. Below is the 16-acre site the department hopes to move to if the Fre- derick County Board of Supervisors approves a rezoning. The Frederick County Planning Commis- sion has approved the re- zoning from residential to industrial. Star Photos by Rick Foster too, he added. He added the new proposal would be "an eyesore," if it looks like the current office on Commerce Street. Hodges, a resident of the Round Hill area for 16 years, said it would be precedent set- ting to change a rural area to an industrial area. She said she and her husband attempted to rezone the property 10 years ago, and were rejected by the Board of Supervisors. During the May 4 Planning Commission meeting, Hodges told commissioners she was glad the application had been rejected 10 years ago. "I don't know what would make this any different. It's a state agency. Big deal," she said. If VDOT gets an industrial zoning, how can the govern- ment deny someone else the same, Hodges questioned. Shawnee District Supervisor W. Harrington Smith Jr. said earlier this week he had some concerns about the proposal, such as the wetlands issue and setting'a precedent. Bushman said VDOT is in the process of assessing the wetlands, and will not do any- thing unless all environmental concerns are cleared. "The Board of Supervisors will have to take a very long look at this," Smith predicted. THE WINCHESTER STAR, Satur0ay, May 21, 1994 B3 Star Photo by Scott Mason Students from around the state participate in the hog - judging contest Thursday at Lord Fairfax Community Col- lege in Middletown. Statewide Agricultum CO-" X-st Held at LFCC By CYNTHIA CATHER The Winchester Star The 12th annual Invitational Livestock and Horticulture Judging Contest was held Thursday at Lord Fairfax Com- munity College in Middletown, About 150 students from all over the state competed in the contest, said college employee Janet Muhleman, who coordi- nates the event. The students represented about 20 teams from various schools, she said. The competition was divided into three categories —senior livestock, junior livestock, and horticulture. The students judged sheep, cattle, hogs, and a variety of plants. Sherando High School in Fre- derick County won the senior livestock division, and Ann Cooley, a student at the school, won in the senior division for the individual with the highest score. The Madison 4-H Club in Orange County won the junior livestock division, and Darby Kirby, a member at the school, won in the senior division for the individual with the highest score. Results of the horticulture division was not available. Boyce PTO to Hold Yard Sale Today for Playground Equipment By MICHELE STUDEBAKER The Winchester Star BOYCE — The new school is finally finished, but Boyce Parent Teacher Organization members just won't quit —not until they have enough money to provide a brand-new playground to go along with their brand-new school. They hope today's "Trash and Treasure Sale and Auction" will fatten the coffers that hold the playground dream. The event gets underway early this morning with break- fast —baked apples, biscuits, and Floyd Lofton's sausage. Price for the meal is $3 for grownups and $1.50 for kids. Yard sale items will be offered all day long in the gymnasium. Nursing program very affordable and con- venient for working students," said President Dr. James Davis. According to the university's public relations office, students who have graduated from Shenan- doah's associate degree program and live in Winchester, Frederick, Warren, Clarke, or Shenandoah counties will be given preference for the scholarships. "These scholarships are a re- sponse to the Old Dominion pro- gram," said Kathleen Hughes, di- rector of the public relations of- fice. "We don't understand why they chose to expand to this area when we already do a good job." Beginning next fall, Old Domin- ion will expand its Teletechnet program to Lord Fairfax. A stu- dent will be able sit in a class- room at Lord Fairfax and watch a class televised live by satellite. Lord Fairfax will provide the classroom space for the program, said an Old Dominion .spokesper- son. Students will be able to earn an Old Dominion degree in either nursing or engineering. "Dr. Davis thinks introducing an engineering program to the area is a great idea, because that's something we don't offer," said Hughes. "What we don't un- derstand is why they chose to compete with what is generally considered a good nursing pro- gram." Old Dominion currently offers the Teletechnet program in seven community and junior colleges around the state. Starting next fall, the program will expand to The auction begins around 5 p.m. There will also be a bake sale, and snacks will be available dur- ing the day. Boyce from Page B1 Williams Middle School. Many of those same students were the ones who pried up the hard earth two years ago, along with their parents and grandparents, and school officials. They rushed the building en masse, pulled out their scissors, and, on Principal John McCuan's cue of "Ready, set... ," they snipped. The ribbons fell in a candy -striped shower, and the new school was official. from Page B1 164These scholar- ships are a re- sponse to the Old Dominion pro- gram. We don't understand why they chose to ex- pand to this area when we already do a good job." Kathleen Hughes, public relations director five other schools besides Lord Fairfax. Five scholarships for full-time study at Shenandoah will be awarded competitively to students who apply for admission before June 30. These applicants must be recommended by at least two members of the nursing depart- ment faculty. The scholarships are worth $6,000 each year. In addition, 10 full-time study scholarships, worth $4,500 each, will be awarded. Applicants, who also must be recommended by at least two nursing faculty mem- bers, must apply by July 15. Finally, 10 part-time study scholarships will be awarded. These scholarships, worth $1,500 each, require the recipient to pur- sue up to six credit hours. The scholarships are renewable for one year, based on academic achievement. Civil War wall Brigade at that time. Nearly a quarter of a century later, embarking on a modest project to reprint the memoirs, she corresponded with members of the scattered family and discov- ered a treasure of documents. "I never dreamed I would come upon all this material," she confessed. Family members were generous in turning them over to her. Un- doubtedly, she was the right per- son to have them. Educated at the Tatnall School in Wilmington and at Wellesley College, where she majored in art history with a minor in history, she first worked at Princeton University in the pic- ture library of the department of art and archaeology. . For Time/Life she conducted research and wrote text notes for educational filmstrips, before mov- ing to American Heritage, where she was picture editor, researcher, and writer for several history texts. She took this training with her when in 1976 she and her husband, Harris Colt, founded the Military Bookman. Located at 29 East 93rd St. in New York, where the Colts call home, the Military Bookman is devoted to military, naval, and aviation history. "We had our mid-life crisis together," she said of the couple's leaving established New York positions for the inde- pendent venture. "We've had a wonderful time together doing it. "We provide mostly out -of -print military history, to customer _ all over the world. We work with his- torians — we're in the history business," she said. Thus Colt had advice and en- couragement from those in the know when the family material she was editing began to order it- self into a form that transcended family interest. The published form is more concise than her first manuscript. "The letters I have are a frac- tion of what was written," she points out. "Soldiers on the move had a hard time keeping letters, even though letters were impor- tant to them. For example, there are various letters written to P h. Civil War Memorabilia Exhibit By DON WORTHINGTON The Winchester Star "Valiant Valley Defenders" an exhibit of Civil War memo- rabilia, opens at 2 p.m. Sunday at Stonewall Jackson's Head- quarters in Winchester. The exhibition is being held in conjunction with Margaretta Barton Colt signing copies of her book, "Defend the Valley," a story of two local families, the Bartons and Joneses. The book, written from jour- nals, letter, and memories re- counts the experiences of the fathers and sons who fought in Stonewall Jackson's brigade, the struggle to keep farms and Bolling Barton, the youngest brother, who was in safe haven at VMI and only one letter to his older brother Randolph, who was a prisoner of war at Ft. Deliver- ance. "Still, the number and the vari- ety of these letters is terrific. In the first manuscript I included all I had, because I didn't know who I was doing the book for. If a uni- versity press had published it, as reference work, they would have needed all the letters. But this made it entirely too long, The manuscript had to be tailored for someone to read." After four years of work, Crown Publishers became interested the manuscript for the general reader. "The book has profited from the publisher's editing," Colt said. "It has been refined and strength- ened. From the wealth of mate- rial, nothing important has been lost." David Walker Barton and his wife Fanny Lucy Mary Ann Marg- aret Jones Barton were married in 1828. They lived in a house that fronted on what is now Cameron businesses operating during the war, and the courage of the women who endured it. The exhibit features many family items, including the shaving kit carried by W. Strother Barton, Francis Buck- ner Jones' sword, parole pa- pers, and a letter sent to Ran- dolph Barton while he was a prisoner of war at Fort Dela- ware. The exhibit was assembled in cooperation with Barton and Jones descendants. The descen- dants are also donating a num- ber of family papers and letters to the Handley Library Ar- chives. Street, the property going back to Kent Street. There, they brought up ten children to maturity. Of their six sons, two died during the war and a third died two years later. David Barton, a prominent lawyer, died during the the Civil War also, as did one of his daugh- ters. Colt's great-grandfather, Ran- dolph Jones Barton, one of the surviving brothers, went to Balti- more, where he practiced law. Colt's grandfather Charles Mar- shall Barton was his third son, and the one who first printed Randolph's memoirs. "I became fond of everyone in the book," said Colt. "I love the father, my great -great-grandfather David Walker Barton. There is a tone of forbearance, a quality of honor, in what he wrote. "I love Robert, the brother who wrote the memoir discovered after his death in 1917. He was very sensitive. I love the mother, Fanny, and her strength and the wonderful grandmother, Anne Cary Randolph Jones. "The most difficult thing about organizing the material," Colt from Page B1 went on, "was that everybody keeps having the same names. There are two Davids, two Fan- nys, two Marshalls, two Strothers — it was often necessary to study the context to know who was being talked about or even who was writing. "For instance, there were letters of Robert Barton from cavalry camp, and letters from a cousin, Robert Barton, in prison. At first I thought they were from the same person, the brother Robert. Then I was reading one of the cousin's letters, on the train going home to see my family, and I thought, `Wait a minute — this is not our Robert. "There was something about the tone," she explained. "And I picked up variations in the hand- writing. You get to know the peo- ple." "Defend the Valley" becomes a deeply personal book. "Hardly any historians have come upon this material," Colt said, "And I can't think that there is anything in the record that sheds insight into military events." Two incidents might add to the Civil War record, she believes. Historian Henry Kyd Douglas, in "I Rode with Stonewall," tells of Jackson's turning down an un- named officer's request for leave to visit his dying wife. Barton cousin, Frank Buckner Jones, a member of General Jackson's staff, tells in one of his weekly letters to his wife the name of that officer: Kenton Harper. And along with papers relating to a court martial that took place near Winchester in the fall of 1861 is David Barton's legal sum- mation of the case, which gives insight into both the procedure and the judgment. "The strength of this book is that there are so many people in one family writing well in what were ordinary circumstances in that extraordinary time," Colt said. Although "Defend the Valley" will have a wide national audi- ence, it is of special significance here. $AVEon AnyNew�rontiac In -Stock!! Bonney ille SF. $1000 Custome I L7Q4n Trans Sport SE $500 Customer Cash Back An Grand Am GT Coupe $1000 Customer Cash Back AL A 1111pr'" _"q% 48 Months O GMAC 0Financing The Pressure's on the Kerns so you SAVE BIG DURING THESE LAST 10 DAYS • • ®� �� _ , , ' • - Iii Jubal Early Drive Depressed? 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