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Smyth County Board denies Old Prater Lane junkyard permit after residents raise safety and drainage concerns
Summary
After multiple residents testified about road width, bridge weight capacity and drainage concerns, the Board voted unanimously to deny a special-use permit for a junkyard on Old Prater Lane and referred the matter to the Ordinance committee to examine potential conflicts with State Code and county zoning.
A special-use permit to establish a junkyard on Old Prater Lane was denied by the Smyth County Board of Supervisors on April 9 following citizen objections and a split Planning Commission vote that produced no recommendation.
Residents who spoke during Citizen’s Time raised concerns including limited road space for large vehicles, bridge weight limitations and lot drainage. Rebecca Blevins of 353 Old Prater Road urged the Board to consider traffic and drainage risks; other speakers, including Dave Fields and John Cooke, voiced opposition. Supporters read into the record or spoke in favor of the permit, saying state approvals had been obtained; Assistant County Administrator Clegg Williams read a comment from Gracie Billings supporting the request and Zane Kit said he had obtained permits from the Department of Wildlife Resources and the Department of Environmental Quality.
Clegg Williams summarized the Planning Commission’s proceedings, which included an initial tied vote and later a tie that left the commission without a recommendation and forwarded the matter to the Board. Royal Oak District Supervisor Courtney Widener cited neighbor concerns and noted State Code requirements that junkyards not be visible from adjoining properties, which he said would be difficult because of topography. Chilhowie District Supervisor Mike Sturgill said he opposed the permit because of the selected location.
Royal Oak District Supervisor Courtney Widener moved to deny the special-use permit and Chilhowie District Supervisor Mike Sturgill seconded; the Board voted 6–0 to deny the permit (Saltville District Supervisor Roscoe Call absent). Chair Charles Atkins asked that the Ordinance committee review any conflicts between State Code and the county zoning code related to the request.
