Salem Residents Oppose Rezoning Decision for Historic HopeTree Property

SALEM, Va. (WDBJ) – Salem residents gathered outside the courthouse Friday to voice their opposition to resolution to change the zoning of the historic HopeTree propertya site with deep roots in the community.

Concerned citizens, led by Nancy Reynolds and Mark Naden, held a press conference calling for more transparency as the city moves forward with its redevelopment plan for the site.

In June, the Salem City Council approved Tree of Hope rezoning plan A family services facility by a narrow 3 to 2 vote. Originally founded nearly 130 years ago as a shelter, HopeTree has served hundreds of children in need.

But a recent proposal to turn it into a planned unit development (PUD) has caused frustration among residents who worry about the impact on their neighborhood.

“I’ve lived in Salem since I was 8 years old. What really matters to me is what happens here,” Nancy Reynolds said. “We called this press conference because there is something going on in Salem that citizens need to know about,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds and Nayden expressed concern that the new PUD application could be approved before new council members, who may be opposed to it, take office. A joint meeting with the Salem City Council and Planning Commission is scheduled for Nov. 13, at which time the application could go directly to the council for a vote.

“A new application was filed, we never saw it, we asked for it and it was never provided to us,” Reynolds said.

Nayden also criticized the proposed PUD, arguing it was not appropriate for the area.

“We are against the Tree of Hope because it is a bad place for LUNs. This is not a suitable design for this location; it’s out of keeping with the rest of the neighborhood and will harm all of us who live there,” Nayden said.

Nayden said the PUD designation would allow developers to make future changes without public input.

“The worst thing is that it was never clear what they were going to develop there. The PUD designation gives the developer carte blanche…once it is designed as a PUD, changes can be made without any input from citizens and often the city,” Nayden said.

Council members Jim Wallace and Hunter Holiday supported the concerned citizens at a press conference.

In a response statement from the opposition, Mayor Renee Turk said:

“The current Council consists of 5 informed members who have studied this development over the past 2 years. Good management is for those who have gone through 2 years of information to complete the process. Members who voted “no” would have preferred it to be delayed until the first of the year so that new council members would form a majority and not allow it to pass – until they hear all the facts. All three candidates have publicly stated in four forums that they will vote against it because they want to be elected. It would be like appointing a jury that did NOT listen to all the evidence to make a decision – THAT IS BAD management.“

The Nov. 13 joint meeting will include a public hearing where residents will be invited to share their views, both for and against the project.