Board approves rezoning to agriculture so owner can rehabilitate historic barn

Augusta County supervisors approved a request to rezone approximately 4.03 acres on Bald Rock Road from Single-Family Residential (R-1) to General Agriculture (AG) with voluntary proffers, staff said during the public hearing portion of the June 2 meeting.

County staff told the board the property is owned by Luke Hart and lies in the North River Magisterial District within the county's urban service area; the county's comprehensive plan designates the parcel for medium-density residential uses. The staff presentation said voluntary proffers submitted with the application prohibit intensive agriculture such as swine and poultry operations, cap the total number of animal units, regulate the number and type of chickens, and bar dog kennels, vehicle-repair businesses, junkyards and slaughterhouses.

The property owner, identified in the staff report as Luke Hart, told the board he does not intend to operate a venue and instead wants to "rehab my barn." He said the agricultural zoning provides more flexibility for storing his equipment and for the barn restoration. "I don't plan to do a venue, I just wanna rehab my barn," the applicant said.

Supervisor Don Slayton (North River District) spoke in support, saying the rezoning would help preserve a century-old agricultural structure and noted Planning Commission recommendation for approval. Following discussion the board voted to approve the rezoning request with the voluntary proffers.

The county planner noted that the proffers and zoning limitations are part of the approval and will be recorded with the parcel as conditions of the rezoning.