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Commission on Local Government hears mixed public reaction to Marion–Smyth annexation agreement
Summary
The Commission on Local Government held a May 13, 2014 public hearing in Marion on a proposed voluntary settlement that would annex about 409 acres into the Town of Marion; public commenters largely opposed expanding liquor-by-the-drink and questioned motives, potential conflicts, and economic impacts.
The Commission on Local Government convened a public hearing at 7 p.m. on May 13, 2014, at the Lincoln Theater in Marion to consider a voluntary settlement agreement between the Town of Marion and Smyth County that would annex approximately 409 acres of Smyth County territory (with an option on about 100 additional acres) into the town.
Commission Chairman John T. Stirrup, Jr. opened the hearing and described the agreement as providing "the immediate annexation to the Town of Marion of approximately 409 acres of territory located in Smyth County" as well as provisions on waiver of certain annexation and city-status rights, revenue-sharing from annexed areas, and conveyance of certain real estate and water rights.
Zachary Robbins, Local Government Policy Manager for the Commission on Local Government, explained the Commission’s statutory role under Va. Code § 15.2-3400 to review negotiated local boundary agreements and to issue findings and recommendations to the affected local governments. Robbins told the audience the record would remain open for written public comment through May 30, 2014, and that the Commission aimed to issue its written report by the end of September 2014.
Public comment ran for roughly 45 attendees with 14 people addressing the Commission. The hearing record shows a broad pattern of opposition to expanding liquor-by-the-drink at sites proposed for annexation, and a smaller set of speakers who supported the annexation for economic or development reasons.
Several ministers and residents urged the Commission to reject expansion of liquor-by-the-drink in annexed areas. Pastor Donald Medley cited Va. Code § 15.2-2200 in his remarks opposing liquor expansion. Charles Wassum of Marion specifically opposed annexing the golf course in Area A, cited Va. Code § 15.2-2223, and said he believed the annexation’s primary motivation was to capture liquor sales to offset what he described as a $100,000 annual operating loss at the golf facility; he characterized that as effectively "subsidizing drinking" and said it would take business from existing establishments in the town.
Other commenters raised related concerns. David Thomas asked why the town could not hold a referendum on the liquor-by-the-drink question for the golf course, expressed doubt about likely development in Areas C and D, and accused a town staff member of having a conflict of interest tied to certain real estate. Those allegations were recorded in the hearing record but were not resolved during the session.
By contrast, Charles Harrington, executive director of the Marion Housing & Development Authority, and several landowners near the golf course expressed support for annexation, citing potential development advantages and the town’s interest in controlling land it owns. Gilda Powers (a landowner adjacent to the golf course) told the Commission the agreement was "about much more than liquor-by-the-drink," framing it as a broader economic-development proposal.
No formal Commission vote on the settlement agreement was taken at the hearing. The Commission left the record open for written comments through May 30 and stated an intention to prepare a written report and recommendations for the affected local governments prior to the end of September 2014. The only formal action recorded at the meeting was a procedural motion to adjourn made by John G. Kines, seconded by Cole Hendrix, and adopted unanimously; the meeting ended at 7:46 p.m.
The hearing transcript and minutes list the Commission members and staff who were present and introduced: Chairman John T. Stirrup, Jr.; Vice-Chairman Bruce C. Goodson; members Cole Hendrix and John G. Kines, Jr.; and member Victoria L. Hull. Commission staff present included Zachary Robbins, Edward Lanza, and J. David Conmy.
What happens next: The Commission will accept written comments through May 30, 2014, and intends to issue a written report with findings and recommendations to the affected local governments before the end of September 2014.
