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round of applause for controlling the pace of development in Rappahannock County and a request for resolution to continue the effort. Critics may claim that local zoning and subdivision ordinances are contradictory, confusing and unconstitutional but they’ve withstood legal challenges. And they’ve worked.
For the Planning Commission, a reminder that public support comes with public knowledge and a suggesion that community meetings be held to acquaint the public with the revised ordinances. Review of zoning and subdivision laws has been going on for over a year but until last month, no one except the planners could get a copy of the proposed changes. Learning anything at work sessions has been, for the most part, a futile exercise. It’s hard to understand the game when we can’t see the rules. In addition, subsequent work sessions have been scheduled at the close of meetings-tumed-work-sessions, long after departure of the last listener. Then there’s been no further public announcement. At the later work sessions, official business has been conducted, from a practical standpoint making those sessions executive, closed meetings. We ask the planners to resolve to do a better job of keeping the public informed.
From Washington’s Town Council, we ask for a New Year’s resolu* tion to establish a board of zoning appeals so that variances to the town’s zoning ordinances can be handled in accordance with law. And while the council members are going over those ordinances with an eye toward possible revision, we ask them to consider formation of an architectural review board as well, a review board that won’t dictate to property owners on such picky matters as what color to paint a building but ptfther a board that will work to protect and preserve the unique character of Washington.
For our part in making the Rappahannock News a better paper in 1984, we offer a few resolutions to our readers. We pledge to strive for more accurate, more complete coverage of local government. We pledge to try to give all community groups and organizations equal attention in story and photographs. And we promise to work to keep news on the front page and opinions on the editorial page.
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