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Commission recommends rezoning 15 acres in Chilhowie to Commercial amid neighbor concern
Summary
The Planning Commission voted to recommend rezoning roughly 15 acres at 289 Lee Highway in Chilhowie from Agricultural/Rural to Commercial, 3 yeas, 1 abstain, after public comments flagged traffic, environmental and land-use concerns and a representative described the prospective business under confidentiality.
On July 25, 2024, the Smyth County Planning Commission recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve a map amendment to rezone approximately 15 acres (a portion of Tax Map 54-A-28) at 289 Lee Highway in Chilhowie from Agricultural/Rural to Commercial.
The rezoning request was presented during a joint public hearing. A letter from Joyce McGhee raised concerns about traffic and environmental impacts. Heather Luttrell, representing Myrtle Properties LLC, spoke via Zoom and—citing a confidentiality agreement—said the business would be a trailer modification and steel fabrication operation. Economic Development representative Kendra Hayden responded that the application before the boards requested Commercial zoning (not Industrial) and stated that no manufacturing or wood production would be involved.
Several nearby property owners, including Thomas McGee, Robert Hicks and Steve Smith, opposed the rezoning, citing loss of agricultural land, additional noise and dust, and existing industrial discharges in the area. Commissioners discussed hours of operation and the range of potential activities tied to the rezoning; Ms. Meadows recommended reviewing the comprehensive plan future land use map to assess areas surrounding schools.
After deliberation Ms. Meadows moved to recommend approval; the motion was seconded by Mr. Shepherd and passed with 3 yeas (Davidson Jr., Meadows, Shepherd), 0 nays and 1 abstention (Campbell). The Planning Commission's recommendation will be forwarded to the Smyth County Board of Supervisors for final action; no final Board decision appears in the transcript.
