Supervisors Consider Zoning Changes for Towers

Nelson County

“The Nelson County Board of Supervisors is considering a set of proposed amendments to the Nelson County Zoning Ordinance’s section on communication towers, and residents will have the opportunity to weigh in at a public hearing next month.

Included among the notable changes are proposed re-classification of communication tower classes and revised procedures for processing permit applications that could result in less public awareness of proposed communication tower projects, fee schedule changes and clarification of the planning commission’s role and responsibilities, according to a staff report Tim Padalino, the director of planning and zoning, presented at the board of supervisors meeting Dec. 10.”

~Writes Katherine Lacaze of the Nelson County Times

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Spotsy Proposal Allows ‘Small-Scale Retail’ in Some Homes

Spotsylvania County

“Spotsylvania County may make it a little easier for small businesses to open in converted homes.

The Planning Commission voted 6–0 this week to recommend a proposal that would allow what the county is calling “small-scale retail” on certain residential property. A would-be owner of such a business would have to apply for a special-use permit, a process that requires public hearings and approval from the Board of Supervisors.”

~Writes Jeff Branscome of The Free Lance-Star

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Planners Tackle Amendments

Bedford County

“The Bedford County Planning Commission began tackling the latest set of board of supervisors initiated amendments to the subdivision and zoning ordinance last week. Although the supervisors ultimately voted, at their Monday night meeting, to eliminate the requirement for developers to hold neighborhood informational meetings, the majority of planning commission members were uncomfortable about the idea. District 4 planning commission member Frederic Fralick felt it was important to maintain transparency.”

~Writes John Barnhart of the Bedford Bulletin

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Concerns voiced about zoning re-write

Northampton County

“A re-write of Northampton County’s zoning ordinance is alarming to some residents with what it does include — and what it does not. The proposed changes are intended to ease the local regulatory burden on new businesses and residents alike by streamlining the zoning ordinance, but some believe the proposed changes go too far.”

~Writes Connie Morrison of Delmarva Now

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Room for Smaller Golf Courses added to Zoning Law

Rappahannock County

“Following last week’s recommendation by the county’s planning commission, the Rappahannock County Board of Supervisors voted to amend the county’s zoning ordinance to allow construction of golf courses smaller than 18 holes — on a case-by-case, special-use permit basis.”

~Writes Matt Wingfield of the Rappahannock News

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Chesapeake Extends Rules on Backyard Chickens

City of Chesapeake

“Small flocks of chickens will continue to be welcome in residential neighborhoods. The City Council voted Tuesday to make permanent an ordinance it adopted a year ago allowing residents to keep up to six hens, but no roosters, in backyard enclosures. Without the action, the ordinance would have expired Dec. 20. The 6-3 vote followed a public hearing dominated by proponents who described chickens as ‘great pets’ and ‘good neighbors’ who cause few of the problems of more traditional family pets.”

~Writes Jeff Sheler of the Pilot

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Winchester Receives an Urban Planning Development Grant

City of Winchester

“A crucial element for implementing the vision within the Comprehensive Plan will be to substantially revise and/or re-write the City’s Zoning Ordinance, immediately after the adoption of the plan. The City recently applied for and was awarded an Urban Development Area Planning Grant in the amount of $50,000. The funding will be utilized to partner with the planning consultants to develop the necessary revisions to the City’s Zoning Ordinance to effectuate the principles of New Urbanism and Traditional Neighborhood Design.”

~Writes the Winchester Daily-Monitor

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Discussion on Adult- Themed Businesses Causes Some Blushing

Town of Colonial Beach

“The Colonial Beach Planning Commission members had a blushing conversation while debating the issue of prohibiting adult bookstores and other adult theme-related services at the September planning commission meeting. The commission has been reviewing and updating one section of the zoning ordinance at a time. Presently, the commission is working on the Commercial Residential (CR) District Ordinance….

One of the changes, previously discussed, concerned the allowance of adult bookstores. Commissioner Kent Rodeheaver was particularly concerned that if the allowance was left in the ordinance, it might attract such a business to be located in a residential area, which he believes is not consistent with what the town’s citizens would want.”

~Writes Linda Farneth of The Journal

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