Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
Planning commission recommends rezoning of Harper parcels to commercial after joint hearing
Loading...
Summary
After a brief joint public hearing with the Board of Supervisors, the Smyth County Planning Commission voted to recommend that the Board rezone two parcels associated with James Craig Harper from Agricultural/Rural to Commercial, following public concern about access, ownership, and possible uses.
The Smyth County Planning Commission voted March 28 to recommend that the Board of Supervisors rezone two parcels tied to James Craig Harper from Agricultural/Rural to Commercial following a short joint public hearing.
Clegg Williams, assistant county administrator for development, told the joint meeting that the commission had previously recommended denying Harper’s special-use application for a service business and that the Board had directed staff to take public comment on rezoning the property to commercial. Williams read the legal advertisement and summarized the prior action.
Several residents spoke. Jim Carter of 130 Valley Road said he would support rezoning if the county required fencing, limits on the number of vehicles, removal expectations after rezoning and a prohibition on farming. Nannie Woodward questioned property ownership; Williams clarified that Harper maintains a life estate on the parcel and told the audience that only a special-use permit—not rezoning—would allow the commission or board to impose specific stipulations. Williams also described uses allowed by right in the Commercial District and noted the county's definition of a junkyard (up to three unlicensed, inoperable vehicles).
Mike Morgan expressed concern about a private driveway being used for commercial access. Williams said Harper "will be required to have an entrance approved by VDOT." When asked by Board Vice-Chair Mike Sturgill whether he would seek an entrance off Valley Road, Harper said he would "ask VDOT."
After closing the public hearing, the Planning Commission reconvened and Graham Davidson Jr. moved to recommend the Board of Supervisors approve rezoning the parcels (Tax Map Nos. 41A4-1 and 41A4-2) from Agricultural/Rural to Commercial; David Spence seconded. The motion carried, 6 yeas, 0 nays, 1 abstention (Tony Dean abstained). The commission's recommendation now goes to the Board of Supervisors for final action.