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Planning commission recommends map amendment, special-use permits and site approvals across 2012 meetings
Summary
Across several 2012 meetings the Smyth County Planning Commission recommended approval of a rezoning request, multiple special-use permits (private school, automotive service, communication tower, mining, campground) and several site/boundary actions; most items passed with conditions or no opposition.
Across multiple meetings in 2012 the Smyth County Planning Commission handled routine organizational business and recommended approval of several land‑use requests and site actions.
January 26 — Map amendment: The Commission recommended the Board approve Mable Hayden’s application to rezone roughly 22 acres behind 2286 Lee Highway in Marion from Agricultural/Rural to Commercial (Tax Map Nos. 56G‑A‑3, 56G‑1‑40A, 56G‑1‑41A). The applicant’s realtor, Tom Evans, said interest in commercial development motivated the request; one resident spoke in favor and one against. The recommendation was recorded with six votes in favor, none opposed.
June 28 — Private school SUP: Freedom Tabernacle Church applied for and the Commission recommended approval of a Special Use Permit to operate a private school at 442 and 444 Freedom Tabernacle Lane (Tax Map Nos. 48A‑108A and 48A‑108E). No public opposition was recorded.
July 26 — Automotive sales/service SUP: Bernita Haga applied to operate an automotive sales and service business at 942 Pierce Road (48‑A‑137X4, 48‑A‑137X6 and 48‑A‑137X7). The Commission recommended approval with conditions limiting hours to Monday–Saturday, 7 a.m.–7 p.m., and limiting to no more than ten licensed vehicles on the property for servicing.
August 23 — Communication tower SUP: Smyth Technology Group, Inc. (d/b/a SmythNet) sought a Special Use Permit to erect a communication tower on Walker Mountain (Tax Map No. 33‑A‑10). After technical discussion about coverage and capacity the Commission recommended approval.
September 27 — Mining SUPs and campground SUP: Earnest Teaters applied for two Special Use Permits for mineral extraction (Holden Drive, Tax Map Nos. 58‑1‑2A & 58‑A‑2B; Town Springs Road, Tax Map No. 76‑A‑36). The Commission recommended both, adding a condition that Teaters maintain Holden Drive in its present condition. High Country Horse Camp, LLC applied to convert rental property in the Konnarock community into a campground with four cabins, a bathhouse and six RV spots (Tax Map Nos. 86‑A‑40C, 86‑A‑40D and portion 86‑A‑40B); the Commission recommended approval pending health‑department approvals for the campground facilities.
Other routine approvals in 2012 included multiple boundary‑line adjustments, site‑development approvals for additional dwellings, adoption of the 2012 operating procedures and approval of the 2012 meeting calendar in compliance with Va. Code §15.2‑2214.
Votes at a glance (Planning Commission recommendations forwarded to the Board of Supervisors): • Mable Hayden map amendment (rezoning to Commercial) — recommended approval (motion: Venable; second: Davidson; vote: 6 yays, 1 absent). • Freedom Tabernacle SUP (private school) — recommended approval (unanimous). • Bernita Haga SUP (automotive sales/service) — recommended approval with hours and vehicle limit conditions (unanimous). • SmythNet SUP (communication tower) — recommended approval (unanimous). • Earnest Teaters SUPs (mining/quarrying) — recommended approval; Holden Drive approval conditioned on maintenance by applicant (unanimous). • High Country Horse Camp SUP (campground/RV park) — recommended approval (unanimous).
Next steps: Each recommendation is advisory and will be considered by the Smyth County Board of Supervisors at its public meeting; some items (notably mining, campground and the CPV facility) also require state or federal permits before site work can proceed.
