SALEM, Va. (WDBJ) – Salem residents gathered at the courthouse Friday to voice their opposition to a rezoning decision regarding historic HopeTree propertya site deeply rooted in the community.

Concerned citizens led by Nancy Reynolds and Mark Nayden held a press conference, urging greater transparency as the city moves forward with its plans to redevelop the property.

In June, the Salem City Council approved a HopeTree rezoning plan Owned by Family Services with a narrow 3-2 vote. Established nearly 130 years ago as an orphanage, HopeTree has served hundreds of children in need.

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

“I have lived in Salem since I was 8 years old. What happens here is really important to me,” Nancy Reynolds said. “We called this press conference because there is something happening 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 the development, take office. A joint meeting with the Salem City Council and Planning Commission is scheduled for Nov. 13, where the request could go directly to a council vote.

“A new application was submitted, we never saw it, we requested it and it was never made available to us,” Reynolds said.

Nayden also criticized the proposed PUD, arguing that it is not suitable for the area.

“We oppose HopeTree because it is a bad location for a PUD. This is not a suitable construction for this place; it’s not consistent with the rest of the neighborhood and it 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 part is that it has never been clear what they are going to develop there. The PUD designation gives the developer a blank check…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 concerned citizens at the press conference.

In a statement responding to the opposition, Mayor Renee Turk said:

“The Council in session is made up of 5 informed members who have studied this development over the last 2 years. Good governance means that those who have spent two years educating themselves complete the process. Members who voted “no” would prefer that the bill be delayed until after the first of the year so that these new council members make up the majority and the bill does not pass, while they haven’t heard all the facts. All three candidates have publicly stated in four forums that they will vote no because they want to be elected. This would be bringing in jurors who have NOT heard all the evidence to make a decision – THIS is bad governance.“

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

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