Hearing authorized on zoning revision

Planning commission hearing Tuesday; supervisors' hearing May 8

By Amy Boucher

INDEPENDENCE -- Grayson County's Board of Supervisors last Thursday authorized a public hearing on a major revision of the county's zoning ordinance at 7 p.m. May 8. The county Planning Commission will hold its own public hearing on the revision at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the board room of the county courthouse.

The supervisors ordered the revision after first taking steps in January to repeal zoning altogether on a 3-2 vote. Supervisor Glen "Eddie" Rosenbaum, who initiated the repeal, moved in February with the support of the entire board to direct the planning commission to revise the ordinance to make it more "user" and "business friendly."

The actions prompted an outpouring of public support both for and against the ordinance, which has been in place since 1998, and forced the supervisors to move their January and February meetings to the Grayson High School auditorium to accommodate the spectators.

The supervisors set a May deadline for the revision and the planning commission and Zoning Administrator Elaine Holeton have been working feverishly to meet it.

The revision has addressed the main complaints about the ordinance: setback requirements; businesses run from homes; and number of dwellings allowed per piece of property.   Under the revision, buildings can be 15 feet from the edge of a road (35 feet from the centerline) and 10 feet from property lines, home businesses can have up to 10 employees in a rural farm area and five in a subdivision classed as rural residential; and one piece of property can have up to three dwellings, provided the total size of the lot is 2.25 acres.

Another common complaint was that zoning increased property taxes, but as the zoning ordinance does not have any relationship to tax rates and Grayson does not have use-value taxation, the revision could not address this complaint.

The revision is comprehensive, covering items as diverse as sign size and placement, vacated mobile home placement or removal, and junk cars.

The supervisors did not comment on the issue when they authorized the public hearing, but County Administrator Jonathan Sweet encouraged members of the public to attend the Tuesday hearing with the planning commission. Public input at that hearing could still be incorporated in the new draft.

The decision to hold the public hearing was among very few decisions taken by the board, most of the meeting being devoted to informational briefings. 

In other business, the board:

*  heard from Chris Brown of the local United Way that his agency plans to focus on education, income and health, to "give people tools to survive." Brown took over the agency last summer and said he plans to bring some consistency to the operation, which raised $110,000 last year.

*  heard from Doug Harner, a certified crime prevention specialist with the Grayson County Sheriff's Department. His job is grant-funded. He distributes brochures on distracted driving to teens when they get their drivers' licenses; is providing anti-robbery training to local bank tellers and evaluating bank safety procedures; and has added "crime prevention contacts" to shift reporting for deputies. Deputies are encouraged to advise residents when they see situations that might invite crime. He said he has not been able to generate much interest in community watch programs and is going to try partnering with fire and rescue units to offer fire and security training. He also hopes to improve communication between law enforcement and businesses to provide timely information about suspects who commit crimes in adjoining counties and continue the pattern in Grayson.

*  reappointed J. David McGrady of Troutdale Town Council (four-year term) and Sweet (two-year term) to the Mount Rogers Planning District Commission. Sweet said that the agency's executive director, Michael Armbrister, is leaving in June.

*  approved a proclamation honoring the centennial of the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service.

*  unanimously approved a resolution declaring "In God We Trust" as a national motto and affirming the county's right to display the motto. A tax-exempt organization is encouraging such approvals by localities. The movement was started by Jackie Sullivan of Bakersfield, Calif. "I can't imagine why that would be a problem, but I would entertain a motion if the board so chooses," said Chairman John Brewer.

*  learned from Sweet that the county will have a student intern from Wytheville Community College over the summer, in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan. Sweet also reported that the new Geographic Information System will be in operation next month, and a new phone system to replace the 1970s-era county phones will be in operation by the end of the month.

*  set a budget work session April 16.

*  learned that the $2.6 million Nuckolls Curve water project grant application has been submitted.

*  learned that Fries will hold a community blood drive from 9 am. to 2 p.m. May 3.