Monongalia County approves rezoning of West Run parcels despite roadway safety warnings

Monongalia County commissioners voted on July 24 to approve a zoning map amendment (MA0012026) that rezones seven parcels in the Union District (tax map 21, parcels 20–25) from low‑density residential (R‑1) to general commercial (C‑2). The public hearing and vote followed a staff report warning that West Run Road is substandard and has a high crash incidence, and an applicant argument that the rezoning conforms to ordinance 2,200 and the county comprehensive plan.

"This is the most dangerous section of roadway in the county," Andrew Gaspar, the county’s director of planning, told commissioners while reviewing crash data and a WVDOH assessment that flagged the roadway as substandard. Gaspar said staff had recommended denial without prejudice because the road, bridge widths and shoulder conditions could not support the increased intensity allowed under C‑2 zoning without infrastructure improvements or formal DOH sign‑off.

Applicant counsel Michael Carty argued the amendment is consistent with the comprehensive plan and the narrow standard of ordinance 2,200, noting that site‑level reviews and DOH approvals come later in the process. The applicant also preserved a separate legal position that, under a new 60‑day statute discussed at the hearing, an application could be "approved by operation of law" if the statutory deadline expired without formal final action.

Commissioners weighed those competing points during deliberation, including the presence of safeguards from later DOH and site‑plan reviews. Commissioner (speaker 5) moved to approve the amendment and Commissioner (speaker 6) seconded; the chair called for a voice vote and announced the motion passed. The commission closed the hearing and adjourned.

The approval applies only to the map designation; any future land use, site plan or construction will require applicable land‑use permits and DOH access approvals before any new uses can be built on the parcels.