The Town Council of Abingdon, Virginia is in the process of rezoning part of the historic Meadows Farm to allow commercial development in the Virginia Creeper National Trail viewshed. The picture on this petition shows a concept for the proposed commercial development and sports complex. (Note: as presented, the proposed project would include a 62,000 sq. ft. chain grocery store and other retail shops to be built on top of the hill visible from trestle #1, two hotels - one within 200 yards of the trail, 5 chain restaurants and a sports complex.) Several soccer and baseball supporters have said the proposed sports complex is inadequate for tournaments.

To date, there hasn't been a traffic study provided or an environmental impact study done. The 1st reading on rezoning was held at Abingdon Town Hall on Monday, Nov 2nd 2015.

Below is information in regards to the 2nd reading of the meeting for the proposed rezoning of "The Meadows" December 7th, 2015 from the Town of Abingdon website:

"The December 7th regular meeting of the Abingdon Town Council will be held at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in the Grand Ballroom. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. and Council will hear regular agenda items at that time. As close to 7:00 p.m. as possible, the Council will hear the matter of the Second Reading of the re-zoning request regarding CEMA Corporation which was postponed at the regular November meeting."

Please note that the envisioned development has only been presented to the Planning Commission and Town Council as a concept. Town citizens think that rezoning vote should not take place until detailed plans for the development are submitted and fully vetted by town leaders, citizens, business owners, civic groups and users of the Creeper Trail.

Many people have come together to form Friends of Abingdon www.friendsofabingdon.com with the immediate goal of convincing the Abingdon Town Council to VOTE NO on the December 7th, 2015 meeting. The Friends of Abingdon along with other concerned citizens of Abingdon, in the nation and around the world are against the proposed commercial development. We believe our youth should have a better sports complex than the one depicted in the proposed plan. We are working against the proposed rezoning and pledging our support to help find land and fund a new sports complex that can accommodate tournaments. We support a new sports complex - just not along the Creeper Trail.

Please help save the view shed, tranquility and wildlife on and near the VA Creeper National Trail in the beautiful historic town of Abingdon, VA.

If you need more information? Please contact us at friendsofabingdon@gmail.com

IF YOU ARE A TOWN RESIDENT OF ABINGDON, VA, COUNTY OR TOWN, PLEASE STATE THAT IN A COMMENT FIELD ALONG WITH YOUR NAME. CELL PHONE SIGNATURES AND POSSIBLY OTHER DEVICES ARE NOT RECORDING THE CITY AND STATES CORRECTLY. THANK YOU!!!! THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME TO SIGN OUR PETITION!!!!