Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Junkyard topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Smyth County planners deadlock, then table junkyard permit for 169 Old Prater Road pending agency review
Summary
Applicant Zane Kite sought a special-use permit to operate a junkyard at 169 Old Prater Road; neighbors raised environmental and property-value concerns. The Planning Commission split 3–3 on a recommendation to approve, and later voted to table the application until the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries responds.
A joint public hearing of the Smyth County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors on Feb. 26 considered a special-use permit from applicant Zane Kite to establish a junkyard on property owned by Jack Billings Jr. at 169 Old Prater Road in Marion.
Kite told the board he buys, parts out and crushes vehicles, and said he would operate the site by appointment, install a privacy fence, employ about three people and confine activity to roughly two to three acres of a parcel he described as about 46 acres. He estimated the operation could have "up to 200 to 300" vehicles in rotation and said he would generally hold vehicles three to four months but might hold some up to a year or more. Kite said he has discussed site engineering and road access with VDOT staff and that he will seek Department of Environmental Quality approval before operating.
Neighbors raised environmental and property-value concerns. Dennis Farley, who lives on W. Main Street in Marion, displayed historical imagery and asked the board, "Would you want it if it was beside your property?" Several others who signed up to speak—Joey Cook and J. D. Hall—expressed similar opposition citing visibility, runoff and nuisance worries. Jack Billings Jr., the property owner, spoke in support and said Kite "is a big benefit to the community" and would maintain the site better than prior operators. Kite addressed environmental questions, saying he consulted a biologist who "showed no concern" and that he would contain fluids and use absorbents for any spills.
After discussion in the Planning Commission, Commissioner Lea Meadows moved to recommend Board approval with conditions requiring the site be fenced, comply with setbacks in Section 4-7 of the county zoning ordinance, and be prepared to contain vehicle fluids in an incident; David C. Buchanan Jr. seconded. The vote was recorded 3 yeas (Buchanan Jr., Meadows, Wagoner), 3 nays (Campbell, Davidson Jr., Shepherd), and 1 absent (Dean), resulting in a failed recommendation for lack of majority.
Commissioners said they wanted a response from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries about potential impacts given the property's proximity to streams and a nearby fish hatchery. Meadows then moved to table Kite's special-use permit until the next monthly meeting pending that agency's input; Graham Davidson Jr. seconded, and the motion to table passed 6–0 with one absence.
The Board and Commission heard that one letter of opposition and 15 letters of support had been submitted and that the property had previously operated as a junkyard but had lost its nonconforming status years earlier. The applicant acknowledged he cannot operate until required approvals from VDOT and DEQ are granted. The hearing record closed for public comment, and the matter will return to the board and commission after the requested agency response.
Next steps: the special-use permit was tabled to the next month's meeting pending a response from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and required state and local approvals.
