City Council on Tuesday night approved an agreement that would allow Appalachian Power to provide power to the Berry Hill Road industrial mega park. The State Corporation Commission must give final approval.
The site, which is undeveloped and consists of 3,258 acres in southwest Pittsylvania County, lies within the service territory of Danville Utilities. The agreement would transfer this territory to Appalachian Power.
Danville Utilities sought the agreement because Appalachian Power is in a better position to serve the electric loads forecast. The Danville Utility Commission reviewed the agreement and concurred, recommending that City Council approve it.
The park is a joint project between the City of Danville and Pittsylvania County and is owned by the Danville-Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority. The park is the largest industrial park in Virginia and one of the largest in the Southeast.
The goal of this project is to develop a park for targeted industries that would have substantial economic impact in the region.
In other action Tuesday, Council voted to:
• deny a rezoning request and special use permit to allow the operation of an upscale deli/convenience store with gasoline sales at 1009 Main St. The property is located in the Old West End Historic District at the southeast corner of Main Street and Holbrook Avenue. The property is now vacant, but previously operated as an automobile repair facility with gasoline sales for decades.
• rezone property on Piedmont Drive to allow construction of a four-story hotel.
• grant a permit that will allow rental of the microbrewery facility at 209 Trade St. for events.
• change regulations to require a pressure test to be conducted prior to any gas service being initiated if cut off for more than 120 days.
• update the economic development priority projects list as required annually for federal funding.
• appoint Linwood Wright to board of city Employee Retirement System
Council deadlocked on two votes regarding an appeal of a decision by the Commission of Architectural Review (CAR) regarding the appropriate front porch steps for a house at 165 Holbrook Ave. The house is in the Old West End historic district and must adhere to design guidelines established for the district.
The CAR deemed as inappropriate a request to replace concrete steps with wood steps on the front porch.
Council first deadlocked on a vote of 4-4 to overturn the decision of the CAR. A second vote to affirm the CAR decision also deadlocked on a vote of 4-4.
Council's meeting included a business session followed by a work session. In work sessions, Council reviews non-routine matters that will be voted upon in future business meetings.
River City TV airs live all Council business sessions. The first rebroadcast will be at 8 p.m. Thursday. Watch it on cable (Comcast channel 10 and Gamewood channel 122) or streaming at RiverCityTV.org. The taped broadcast is available now on the City’s YouTube channel -- DanvilleVAGov.
River City TV does not air work sessions, but they are open to the public.