Commission approves rezoning request for 2601 Highway 64 West; another large acreage rezoning draws unfavorable planning recommendation

Bedford County commissioners voted to approve a rezoning request that would change 2601 Highway 64 West (Map 085, Parcel 032) from A‑1 (agriculture/forestry) to C‑1 (Rural Center/ light commercial), and they discussed but forwarded to the full commission a separate, contested rezoning request for a large tract on Montgomery Road.

The first request, from Tyrone J. Rhodes, concerns a small parcel — less than one acre and historically used as a market — that the applicant said he intends to reopen as a market. Director Chris Watts explained that the county’s C‑1 classification is the “Rural Center District,” a light commercial zone appropriate for crossroad communities, and noted the parcel’s long history of commercial use. Planning staff said no objections were filed during the review. Commissioners moved, seconded and voted in favor of the rezoning at the meeting.

The second case involved James and Christy Warner, who asked to rezone a large property on Montgomery Road (Map 085, Parcel 0013) from A‑1 to R‑1 (suburban residential). The planning commission sent that application forward with an unfavorable recommendation after finding the R‑1 district allows smaller lot sizes (the R‑1 minimum discussed was about 30,000 square feet per lot, compared with 43,560 square feet per acre in A‑1) and because the site is well outside the county’s urban growth boundary. Planning staff described the Warner tract as “pretty sizable” and noted it fronts Whitaker and Highway 64 West. Commissioners heard those staff comments, took motions and forwarded the item (record shows the usual motion/second and an “aye” vote recorded).