Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Special Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Greene County approves special‑use permit allowing livestock on Maple Creek Road with two‑acre grazing condition
Summary
After a staff report and applicant testimony, the board approved Special Use Permit No. 2602 to allow livestock on about 16 acres of an R‑1 parcel on Maple Creek Road, conditioned on at least two acres of rangeable land for grazing; the planning commission had recommended approval with VDACS guidance.
The Greene County Board of Supervisors approved Special Use Permit No. 2602 to allow livestock on approximately 16 acres of a parcel on Maple Creek Road (tax map 38A‑30‑39), with the condition that the livestock area include at least two acres of rangeable land.
Planning staff reported that the property has long been operated as a farm despite its R‑1 residential zoning, and that the zoning ordinance requires a special‑use permit to re‑authorize livestock on R‑1 parcels. The planning commission recommended approval with one condition reflecting Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) guidance: maintain at least two acres of rangeable land to protect animal health.
Ms. Morris, the applicant joining by Zoom, told the board she planned to start with a small number of cattle near the barn, convert crop ground to grazeable pasture this fall, and use rotational grazing with assistance from a local farmer. "So it's actually 16 acres that we'll be using," she said, adding that the operation would exceed the two‑acre minimum. Board members asked about animal numbers, rotation and the difference between a special‑use permit and rezoning; staff noted rezoning is a separate, more costly process and the SUP accomplishes the applicant’s stated goal.
A supervisor moved to approve the permit "in accordance with Greene County zoning ordinance... with the following conditions that the livestock area shall consist of at least 2 acres of rangeable land." The motion was seconded and approved by roll call.
