Board OKs tower amendment, nixes scenic protection language

Nelson County:

“After months of deliberation and a lengthy discussion March 11, the Nelson County Board of Supervisors narrowly approved an amendment to the county’s communication tower ordinance. The board approved a repeal of almost all sections of the previous ordinance, Article 20 in the zoning code, and replaced them with new language that will reduce the requirements for a tower’s minimum setback from Virginia Scenic Byways and the Blue Ridge Parkway and serve as a comprehensive overhaul of previous tower classifications.

But the ordinance does not include proposed requirements that Nelson County Planning & Zoning Director Tim Padalino argued would help protect undeveloped mountain scenery in the county.”

~Writes Katherine Lacaze of Nelson County Times

Click here to learn more

Planning commission eyes changes to duplex zoning

Nelson County:

“The Nelson County Planning Commission is considering proposed amendments to the zoning ordinance that would allow a higher density of duplexes in agricultural zones. At its meeting Feb. 26, commissioners discussed proposed amendments that would alter the density requirement for specific duplexes, or two-family detached dwellings, in agricultural zones so they could be constructed on 2-acre parcels of land, as opposed to the current requirement of 4-acre parcels.

George Krieger, director of the Nelson County Community Development Foundation, proposed the amendments. Duplexes with four or fewer bedrooms and two or fewer baths are an “important tool in providing affordable housing” for low- to moderate-income residents in the agricultural zones of the county, Krieger told the commission.”

~Writes Katherine Lacaze of Nelson County Times

Click here to learn more

Hearing on tower changes revealing

Nelson County

“A proposed amendment to the Nelson County Zoning Ordinance pertaining to wireless communication towers was determined to be severely lacking at a recent Nelson County Board of Supervisors meeting. Last Thursday, the board held a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the Nelson County Zoning Ordinance that deals with the repeal and replacement of sections of Article 20, regarding communication towers.

Tim Padalino, the Nelson County Planning & Zoning Director, highlighted some of the important changes for the supervisors, including adjustments to tower classifications; application procedures; required minimum setbacks from the Blue Ridge Parkway, Skyline Drive and other Virginia Scenic Byways; removal and reporting of facilities; and the application fee schedule. Under the proposed replacement section, the new category for personal wireless service, or Class C facilities, would be similar to what currently is the Class IV category for personal wireless service facilities, with a few significant changes. Several speakers at the public hearing said there were problems with the proposed replacement sections.”

~Writes Katherine Lacaze of the Nelson County Times

Click here to learn more

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

Click here to learn more