Grayson passes zoning revisions

Grayson County:

“The Grayson County Board of Supervisors put its zoning ordinance concerns to rest last Thursday evening when they unanimously approved the Grayson Planning Commission’s revisions to the document. The commission, tasked by the supervisors with making the 75-page document more ‘user-friendly’ in February, met eight times in the last three months to dissect the ordinance and compose a ‘complete rewrite of the document from start to finish,’ according to Zoning Administrator Elaine Holeton.

Grayson County supervisors have approved the Planning Commission’s changes to the zoning ordinance, just a couple of months after directing the commission to end zoning in the county. Holeton said the revision focused on six areas of concern: improving the readability of the document, the addition of allowable uses in all zone districts, the analysis and adjustment of street setback and yard setback requirements for structures, general requirements for all zone districts, the exemption of agricultural buildings for zoning permit and an adjustment to the administration section to clarify the zoning process.

Holeton pointed out that the board would also be reviewing Grayson County’s subdivision ordinance. ‘This was included with your review because there was one section on planned unit developments which was moved by the zoning ordinance to the subdivision ordinance,’ explained Holeton.”

~Writes Patrick Smith of the Galax Gazette

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Senator backs zoning referendum bill

Grayson County

“Grayson supervisors’ effort to put the future of zoning before county voters now has a sponsor in the General Assembly. A three-member majority of Grayson County supervisors voted Jan. 9 to direct county staff to pursue a special referendum vote on the issue of repealing the county’s zoning ordinance, which requires General Assembly approval.

Sen. Bill Carrico is sponsoring legislation in the General Assembly that would allow Grayson to put its zoning law to a public vote. Sen. Bill Carrico is sponsoring legislation in the General Assembly that would allow Grayson to put its zoning law to a public vote. On Jan. 17, Senate Bill 668 was presented to the General Assembly by Sen. Bill Carrico of Fries. The bill, if passed, would require Grayson County Circuit Court to order the referendum vote on or before Aug. 15, 2014. The referendum vote would be held in conjunction with the 2014 general election in November, and would ask qualified voters the question, ‘Shall the county repeal the existing zoning ordinance for the County of Grayson?’ Citizens would vote either ‘yes’ or ‘no.’”

~Writes Patrick Smith of the Galax Gazette

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