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Tired citizens
SOME CITIZENS in a nearby county had some interesting observations — complaints, really — at theircounty’s most recent planning commission meeting, complaints that reflect on the entire planning process as it is practised in Virginia.
They were appearing before the commission to protest another application for an industrial re-zoning near their residential neighborhood, and some of them commented about how tired they were of constantly having to defend the peace and quiet of their homes. Time after time, industrial rezoning applications have been filed for a nearby area now zoned agricultural, and they wondered why.
It is a good question. If zoning and planning maps , are to be effective, then why are they changed all the time? Recognizing that these documents can’t be completely inflexible, it should also be the case that re-zoningsarethe rare exception, the almost never-seen occurence, rather than the commonplace happening they now seem to be.
AND IF IT COMES to a question of properiy rights, then who should take preference—the property owner who enjoys the present residential zoning of his neighborhood and who wants to protect the integrity of that location, or the nextdoor property owner who wants to change that zoning for his personal financial gain?
It would appear to be clear common sense and simple courtesy that the man who wants to abide by existing zoning and cause no one else any difficulty would receive preference. But Virginia zoning lawyers, and Virginia courts, seem to be more swayed by the “highest and best use” economic arguments for re-zonings than they are about protecting the rights of the man who doesn’t want the map changed, who wants to abide by the regulations already decreed for the political jurisdiction in which he resides or does business.
AND AS TO INDUSTRIAL re-zonings, it was pointed out that Loudoun already has hundreds of acres designated for this purpose. If a man wants to develop an industry, then let him go where the zoning already exists.
As logical and straightforward as that is, it is a viewpoint that seldom prevails. No wonder people have their doubts about the value of zoning and planning.
Some zoning categories may be in the wrong place. Others may embrace incongruous groupings of activities that could be changed to the benefit of everyone. But the changes should be the extremely rare exceptions, not a general order of business for every public meeting. □
Country fair
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