Government Briefs

Appointments Made

Sherri S. Wheeler was appointed by Buena Vista City Council Thursday to represent the city on the Rockbridge Regional Library Board of Trustees. She takes the place of Thomas Lominac, whose term expired June 30 and who didn’t seek reappointment.

Coretta Thurman was appointed to serve on the Buena Vista Economic Development Authority. Kristina Ramsey, the city’s economic development director, was chosen to represent Buena Vista on the Shenandoah Valley Partnership. She takes the seat formerly held by City Manager Jason Tyree.

Rezoning Proposed

A first reading was held on a proposal to rezone a 1.1-acre tract of land in the 300 block of E. 32nd Street in Buena Vista from general manufacturing (GM) to medium density residential (R4).

The tract is on the south side of the street across from the Sayre factory and has single family residences on either side of it. To the south is the Carriage Apartments, with an R4 zoning. The owner of the property, Austin Rehl, wants to develop the tract with either single or multifamily housing.

This land is not contiguous with a much larger tract on which Rehl plans to develop a trades school (see separate story). Tom Roberts, the city’s director of community development, said this site would not be suitable for industrial development because of its narrow width (125 feet) and because it’s between two residences.

Apartments Planned

The former U.S. Forest Service building at 2424 Magnolia Ave. in Buena Vista is being converted into a threeunit apartment building.

An application by Keith Holland to obtain a conditional use permit so he can proceed with these plans came before City Council this past Thursday. Council held a first reading on the CUP proposal.

The building has been used for various purposes since the Forest Service moved out years ago. Holland’s plans call for having two apartments that would each be approximately 1,360 square feet and have four bedrooms and a third apartment with one bedroom and 375 square feet.