Supervisors approve festival and fireworks permits, appoint CCJB member and remove steep-slope ordinance from planning docket

Madison County supervisors handled several permits, appointments and a land-use docket change during the meeting.

The board approved a large-scale event permit for the Graves Mountain Apple Harvest Festival (three weekends in October) after staff reported the application met standard requirements. The motion to approve passed by voice vote.

Supervisors also approved a fireworks permit application for Camp Shenandoah Springs (evening show, roughly 9:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.). County staff and a supervisor flagged drought considerations; a county official noted the local KVDI drought index between about 405 and 500 and reminded the board that a fire ban could be invoked if conditions worsen. The fireworks permit was approved by voice vote.

On appointments, the board considered a vacancy on the Community Criminal Justice Board and on motion appointed Mister Gordon to fill the county's required member slot; the motion carried by voice vote.

On land-use policy, supervisors discussed a proposed steep-slope ordinance prompted by development off Edlund Road. Planning commission members and county supervisors raised enforcement concerns and property-rights implications. Supervisor 2 moved to remove the steep-slope ordinance review from the planning commission's agenda and the board approved the removal by voice vote; a supervisor also offered to send a courtesy email to the planning commission to communicate the board's decision.

Finally, a motion to convene a closed session under Virginia Code section 2.2-3711(k)(1) for personnel matters was made and approved.