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Commission rejects Brockman waiver in Ag & Forestal District amid burial-site concerns
Summary
The commission voted to reject Irvin and Sandra Brockman’s request to waive the 100-foot frontage requirement for a parcel inside an Agricultural & Forestal District, citing district protections and unresolved concerns about unmarked burial sites.
Wythe County’s Planning Commission on April 6 rejected a waiver request from Irvin and Sandra Brockman to exempt a parcel from the 100-foot state-maintained road frontage requirement. The property is located in the county’s Agricultural & Forestal District and staff said the parcel currently has about 82 feet of frontage.
The applicant said the plan is to combine three deeded parcels and then split them to produce two parcels. Several commissioners and public commenters raised concerns that the requested change could permit more intensive use inconsistent with the district’s self-zoning protections. Multiple speakers also flagged the possibility of unmarked burial sites on the property; a commissioner recommended archaeological review before any ground disturbance.
After discussing the Ag & Forestal District rules and timing (the district renewal was noted for May 2027), a motion to reject the waiver carried. The meeting record also includes an admonition to consult archeological resources (the county has previously used university archaeologists for surveys near road projects) before any excavation where graves may be present.
Commissioners advised the applicant that, if they wish to pursue removal of a parcel from the district, they may do so at renewal and reapply; until then, the board declined the waiver request.
