Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 4 · column 1 of 9 · from the scan, no model involved
oy LfATHNU HU
Rappahannock News Staff Writer
Recently, garages seem to be springing up on Rappahannock's back roads as fast as weeds in a vegetable garden.
The spurt began last fall with Jerry Mills’ application to rezone one acre next to his parents’ general store at Estes for a garage and inspection station.
Despite objections from neighboring landowners and an opinion from the commonwealth attorney that approval would not qualify as an extension of an existing commercial zone, the supervisors followed the planning commission’s recommendation in approving the rezoning from agricultural to commercial.
Neighbors did not oppose Mills’ garage, which had been in operation for over two years without zoning approvals, but rather what they argued was spot zoning not in character with the area which would give Mills rights to a long list of other commercial uses.
Next came Charles Dodson's application in January for a similar garage rezoning at Slate Mills. Echoing the same objections raised in the Mills case, adjoining landowners opposed the application to rezone fyom agriculture to commerma). v
On Dodson’s request, the supervisors again followed the planning commission’s unanimous recommendation but this time, the decision was to deny the application.
Then just a few weeks later. Hushel Settle sought a rezoning from agricultural to commercial for an already operating garage on Route 729 just a few miles down from Mills’ business. Caught between conflicting precedents and with all speakers at the public hearing in favor of Settle’s request, the planners tabled the rezoning application and instead proposed an amendment to the county ordinances.
Best Possible Solution
At their April 15 meeting, following another public hearing, the commissioners unanimously recommended that the supervisors approve an amendment which would allow garages and used car sales (limited to five vehicles at any one time) with a special use permit in an agricultural zone.
Noting the large number of garages in the county, commissioner Newbill Miller said he could see the need for businesses of that type, particularly when the country’s economic situation is such that it’s more feasible to fix up an old car rather than spend S20.000 for a new model.
Allowing garages in
91.2%