Bedford County committees advance naming request, send rezoning back with negative recommendation and discuss animal-control, water planning and broadband grant

Bedford County committee members voted to forward a proposal to name the Walking Horse and Eastern Railroad overpass on State Route 437 for former state Sen. Jim Tracy and sent a rezoning request for a 25.48-acre parcel on North Linda back to the full commission with a negative recommendation. Committee members also heard extended briefings and discussions on animal-control coordination and facility needs, regional Duck River water planning, and a broadband grant contract that has cleared county paperwork but requires a budget amendment before funds can be released.

The naming request, submitted by Warren Wells and Kirk Cobb, would rename the overpass in honor of former state Sen. Jim Tracy. Committee members discussed the county’s bylaws about naming and the usual waiting period after officials leave office; one committee member said the bylaws typically require a one-year waiting period, but the committee voted to send the naming proposal to the full commission with a recommendation that the commission consider suspending that rule for this occasion. The motion to forward the naming request passed on a voice vote.

The committee also considered a rezoning application from a representative for Southern Land Acquisitions LLC, seeking to rezone tax map 088, parcel 063.04 — about 25.48 acres — from A-1 to R-1 (which would allow smaller minimum lot sizes). Planning staff told the committee the planning commission had an unfavorable recommendation. Committee members…