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Town manager and residents press Smyth County leaders on Pathway Park water, covenants and alternate uses
Summary
During citizens' time, Chilhowie town manager Brian Martin told county supervisors that local water sources are nearing capacity and urged caution in recruiting high water-use tenants; he also suggested lobbying to relax industrial covenants if industrial recruitment fails, and residents debated sports complexes, housing and long timelines for development.
Brian Martin, town manager for Chilhowie, addressed the board during citizens' time to applaud the Pathway Park study but warn that the town's water system is approaching capacity. "We're bumping up very close on the 80% capacity of our water supplies," Martin said, urging the county to consider water demand when courting tenants and recommending low-water-use occupants if capacity is tight.
Martin said his town is taking steps on housing (an 18-unit Boxwood development is under construction) but cautioned that local water and interconnect capacity could limit certain types of industry or amenities. On covenants, Martin urged that if industrial recruitment stalls, county leaders consider lobbying the General Assembly to relax the site's industrial covenants to allow other viable uses.
Multiple supervisors and residents exchanged views about whether a sports complex, a multi-sport stadium or continued industrial focus would best serve the county. Several board members reiterated that bond or grant restrictions tied to past infrastructure grants limit nonindustrial uses without risking repayment obligations. A recurring theme in public comment and debate was the long time horizon for Pathway Park to mature and a need to package industrial attraction with housing and workforce development.
