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Smyth County supervisors unanimously deny special‑use permit for proposed auto graveyard on Prater Lane
Summary
After a lengthy public comment period with residents opposing a proposed salvage/recycling operation and proponents citing DEQ/DWR permits and local jobs, the board voted unanimously to deny the special‑use permit for the Prater Lane site, noting code compliance, visibility from adjoining properties, and precedent concerns.
The Smyth County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to deny a special‑use permit for an automobile salvage/recycling operation proposed for Old Prater/Old Prairie Road after hearing extended public comment and a tie recommendation from the Planning Commission.
Residents and property owners told the board the proposed location is a narrow, residential road with a single‑lane bridge and no shoulders that would be affected by commercial hauling. Rebecca Blevins, who said she lives on Old Prairie Road, opposed the permit on safety, environmental and zoning grounds: "I oppose the permit for the auto graveyard," she said, citing narrow roads, nearby springs and the potential for contaminants to reach a creek and the fish hatchery.
Supporters, including Gracie Billings, argued the recycling operation would reduce abandoned vehicles and recover metal and that state agencies had reviewed environmental concerns. "Salvage yards are responsible for recycling more metal than all paper, plastic and glass recycling combined in North America," Billings said, and noted DEQ and DWR had issued applicable permits or clearances for aspects of the operation.
Planning staff told the board the Planning Commission could not reach consensus and returned a tie vote (3–3–1). The board discussed legal limits in state code (screening and visibility from adjoining properties), the county zoning ordinance on nonconforming uses (a vesting rule that lapses after 24 months of nonuse), and the risk of setting an adverse precedent by permitting a heavy industrial use in a residential/agricultural zoning area. After deliberation, a motion to deny the special‑use permit as presented was made and seconded; the board voted unanimously to deny the permit and agreed to send salvage/junkyard zoning issues to the joint ordinance committee and planning commission for further study.
No new permits were issued and the applicant may reapply or seek an alternative location; supervisors noted the county could consider ordinance changes but emphasized the need to avoid ad hoc approvals that create long‑term land‑use precedents.
