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Commission rejects proposed five‑acre split in Agricultural and Forestal District after burial‑site concerns
Summary
Planning commissioners rejected a proposal to split five acres from a larger parcel in the Agricultural and Forestal District, citing ordinance limits on intensive uses and public comments noting possible unmarked burial sites on the land; staff advised the applicant could revisit the request at the district's May 2027 renewal.
Wythe County planning commissioners on April 6 rejected a request to cut five acres from a 357.80‑acre parcel that lies within the county’s Agricultural and Forestal District. Staff said a parcel split in the district is subject to limits intended to preserve agricultural and forestry uses, and commissioners and members of the public raised concerns that a portion of the property contains unmarked historic burial sites.
At the meeting staff explained that the Agricultural and Forestal District ordinance restricts more intensive uses and recommended caution. Members of the public and staff described visible depressions and indentions among trees on the tract consistent with historic, unmarked graves. "There was probably 15 or 20 indentions in the ground," one attendee said, and speakers stressed the potential for disturbing burial sites if excavation or development proceeded without archaeological review.
Commissioners discussed options including tabling the application, rejecting it so the owner could reapply at the district’s next renewal, or requiring archaeological investigation before approval. The commission voted to reject the split, with one commissioner (Rusty) recorded as voting against the rejection.
Staff recommended that if the applicant still wants the five‑acre exception, they could pull that portion out of the district at renewal (May 2027) and reapply. Commissioners suggested that any future work should include an archaeological survey and consultations with relevant historical or university programs before ground disturbance.
The commission’s action was procedural: it declined the immediate request and advised the applicant of options for future application and of the need to identify and protect potential burial sites.
