By Meg Hibbert
Contributing writer
At the March 11 meeting, Salem City Council canceled an advertised public hearing on the proposed Planned Unit Development for the HopeTree campus between North Broad and Red Lane.
The reason was the Salem Planning Commission has not yet taken action on the proposal. “Only after the Planning Commission has voted and made a recommendation will we reschedule,” explained Mayor Renee Turk.
HopeTree plans were also the subject by four of the five citizens who spoke during the Citizen Comment portion.
- Caroline Scarborough, who lives on Academy Street, urged that native seedlings and saplings be rescued before destruction and construction begins. She was concerned that the 40 acres of greenspace Stetson development firm has said would be reserved for recreation might not be saved;
- Emily Paine Carter of North Broad Street was concerned that the neighborhood’s Historic Neighborhood Designation would be affected by potential increased traffic. “We are tied up with Salem’s history. We have a love old houses and old kindnesses,” she said;
- Barbara Bell, who for 47 years lived on North Broad, expressed concern about HopeTree’s 24 adult disabled residents “who live at the top of HopeTree Hill…They were there first and their welfare needs to be considered.” She said if those residents happened to wander into the proposed boutique hotel or restaurant, or new residents’ property, “There very well be repercussions,” Bell said;
- Carl Hart, who lives at the corner of Carrollton approaching HopeTree, noted “traffic on Carrollton is like a dragstrip. “What happens when tractor trailers have to deliver goods?” he asked. “I don’t see how they are going to make it through tiny neighborhood streets.” He also pointed out photos of other developments Stetson had done were on flat ground. “There is nothing flat about HopeTree”;
- Judy Minahan asked Council to consider lower residential tax rates so that senior citizens over 75 could afford to remain in living in Salem.
In actions at the March 11 meeting, Council approved:
- One-year certificates for BEarly Cab Service and Reid Taxi. No one spoke at that public hearing ;
- Authorizing City Manager Chris Dorsey to sign for the city on locally administered projects for the Virginia Department of Transportation;
- Closing Main Street for Olde Salem Days on Sept. 14;
- Amending the School Operating Budget and School Cafeteria Fund budgets as passed by the School Board;
- An appropriation of $12,428 in Virginia Fire Programs Grant revenue;
- Reappropriating $54,914 in Four-for-Life funds to purchase training equipment;
- Transportation Alternatives federal funding of $187,671 for Hanging Rock Battlefield Trail Phase 2 to capital funds projects;
- Issuing a soil and erosion bond for $16,205, with 12 months completion, for demolition cleanup at Old Virginia Brick. Mayor Turk noted that even though some people had suggested the city buy the former brick company property, “This is private property and the owner is not willing to sell.”
At the end of the meeting, Councilman Randy Foley said, referring to citizen remarks recently, “The city is not going to purchase HopeTree. It will be developed either Residential Family or Planned Unit Development.”
The meeting adjourned at 7:16 p.m.
