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Neighbors raise environmental concerns as Planning Commission hears junkyard special-use permit for Old Prater Road
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Summary
At a joint public hearing, applicant Zane Kite proposed operating a salvage/junkyard on formerly nonconforming property at 169 Old Prater Road; Planning staff recorded one letter of opposition and 15 letters of support, neighbors cited worries about fluids and impacts to Staley Creek and the fish hatchery, and the hearing was closed with no final decision recorded.
A joint public hearing of the Smyth County Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission on Feb. 26 considered a special-use permit application from Zane Kite to operate a salvage/junkyard on property at 169 Old Prater Road (Tax Map No. 58-A-25).
Zoning Administrator Becca Creasy said the property was previously used as a junkyard operated by the Billings family but had lost its nonconforming status after operations ceased. Creasy read one letter of opposition from Colton Farley and 15 letters of support from neighbors and others. An earlier application by Ralph Stacy Smith was withdrawn prior to the hearing.
Mr. Kite described his business model as buying and hauling junk vehicles, salvaging parts, and crushing vehicles that are no longer usable. He said he could accumulate as many as 200—00 vehicles in rotation, planned to operate by appointment, install a privacy fence, and manage stormwater controls and DEQ permits; he said he would consider an on-site office if required.
Board and commissioners asked about visibility, grading and land disturbance, VDOT entrance approvals, vehicle fluid containment and how long vehicles would be held on site. Kite said he prefers to buy cars without fluids but would contain and properly dispose of fluids if present, use absorbents for spills and would obtain required DEQ stormwater permits; he said he had discussed site engineering with VDOT staff and an engineer.
Several neighbors spoke in opposition or with concerns. Property owner Dennis Farley submitted photos and said the site had previously been cluttered with appliances and hundreds of vehicles and said the propertys visible condition had concerned neighbors; Joey Cook and J.D. Hall said they opposed reestablishing a junkyard and were concerned about property values. Neighbor Keevin Prater and others cited concerns about runoff into a creek that connects to Staley Creek and potential harm to fish; Rose Likins asked specifically how vehicle liquids would be handled.
Supporters spoke in favor: landowner Jack Billings Jr. said Kite would be a benefit to the community and would maintain the property differently than past operators.
Kite said he is an outdoorsman who is concerned about wildlife and offered to install a silt fence, a containment mote and other measures to limit runoff; he said he had spoken with a fish biologist who expressed no concern for the downstream creeks. The hearing concluded with no final vote recorded; the Board closed the joint public hearing and no decision was announced at that meeting.
Next steps: the Planning Commission and Board will consider written records and any required findings under the zoning ordinance before taking a formal vote on the special-use permit application.