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Residents press Lancaster supervisors over large brush-burning; Ranson permit tabled after heated public hearing
Summary
Neighbors described persistent smoke, ash and an out-of-control fire from a nearby wood‑processing site and urged the board to ban industrial‑scale open burning in residential areas. The board heard dozens of objections to the Ranson Nursery special-exception application and voted to table the request for further review.
Robert Bennett told the Lancaster County Board of Supervisors that a property across the street from his home has become “a major wood burning operation” since a 2024 sale, producing smoke that “regularly smokes us out of our home, causing breathing problems and eye irritation,” and on one occasion produced flames “higher than the trees.” He asked the board to adopt an ordinance to control such operations and to keep them away from homes and children.
Catherine Bennett, a realtor who said she has worked in Lancaster County and the Northern Neck for more than 30 years, said commercial-scale burning near residences reduces property values and deters families. Multiple other neighbors described offensive smoke that disrupted outdoor recreation, youth sports…
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