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Sometimes, government works. Sometimes, citizens are heard and their wishes reflected by actions of local officials. The December 22 meeting of the Rappahannock Board of Zoning Appeals was one of those times.
At the BZA’s public hearing on the Rappahannock Ski Corporation’s application for a special use permit, Board members listened. They heard concerns that approval of the Ski Corporation’s requests—as filed on December 1—could lead to a Kings Dominion in Harris Hollow. They heard predictions that the right to have “mechanical rides and other amusements for children” would one day degenerate into an amusement park, that the right to offer outdoor musical entertainment might turn into authorization to hold rock concerts.
The Board of Zoning Appeals listened patiently to witnesses express fear that a year-round recreation area could damage the environment and quality of life in Rappahannock, particularly in the town of Washington. They heard doubts as to whether the expanded operation would generate enough tax dollars to balance demands for increased services.
Board members were just as patient in hearing testimony from ski area supporters and promoters. They listened to assertions that a year-round operation would mean more jobs and additional sales tax revenue while providing recreational opportunities for county youngsters. They heard letters from prominent Rappahannock residents supporting the resumption of skiing here.
The meeting dragged on into the late afternoon. Some of those who showed up for the morning session didn’t make it back to the courtroom after the lunch recess but everyone who did return had ample opportunity to speak.
During the meeting, remarks from BZA member Hal Forward and Board Chairman Josef Gardiner reflected citizen concern on the lack of restriction in the ski area application.
Gardiner commented several times that he wasn’t clear on exactly what was being requested.
Forward stated that he hadn’t even had time to read through the entire application. His motion to postpone a decision in order to allow BZA members and county citizens time for further study passed unanimously. In addition, he suggested that the ski area’s request be amended in response to concerns over “open ended consent.”
The Board’s stance brought immediate results from James A. Moore, president of the ski area corporation.
Moore has said time and again that he wants to keep proposals for the ski area in compliance with the wishes of the majority of county residents. Apparently, the man means what he says.
Moore’s application for a special use permit was printed in last week’s edition of the Rappahannock News by order of the Board of Zoning Appeals. He amended his request prior to publication to specifically exclude “musical festivals of any kind...amusement parks, roller coasters, rock concerts, subdivisions, or any use that is incompatible with the
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