Smyth County panels back new zoning permit fee and higher application charges to cover advertising costs

Smyth County — The Smyth County Planning Commission on Sept. 26 recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt a zoning-permit fee and increase application fees for special use permits and zoning amendments to better cover advertising and processing costs.

Zoning Administrator Becca Creasy presented two options to the joint public hearing and Planning Commission: a proposal that would set a $50 fee for zoning permits while increasing the charges for special use permits and zoning amendments, and an alternative flat $500 fee intended to cover both advertising costs and the application. "Currently, the County does not charge for zoning permits, and the existing $250 application fee only partially covers advertising costs, straining the department's budget," Creasy said.

After discussion, Lea Meadows moved that the Commission recommend the Board approve the fee schedule as presented in "Option 1;" David Spence seconded the motion. The Commission voted unanimously to recommend the fee changes (6 yeas, 1 absent). The minutes include a fee table associated with the motion but portions of the published minutes are garbled; the record shows the Commission approved the staff-recommended Option 1 but does not present a clean, unambiguous fee table in the minutes.

The Planning Commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Smyth County Board of Supervisors for action. The minutes do not list a specific date for Board consideration or a precise, finalized fee schedule in clear text.