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asked, “How in the world are they going to put out that much and not get any money in return?” If they do get money in return, he continued, it makes their proposal a commercial venture, one that doesn’t belong in an agricultural or conservation zone.
“Maybe the Chapmans are out of luck” because the county’s zoning ordinance doesn’t provide for retreat centers as a permitted use, Dr. Krebser said. “I’m not sure Rappahannock County is ready to set a precedent for a retreat center . . . We all came out here because we like the quietness. The more people who come out, the less quietness we have ... We have to put a certain amount of control on to protect what we have.”
Charles Estes, the Board of Supervisors’ representative on the Planning Commission, said he viewed the retreat center as a commercial enterprise.
Commissioner Fannon agreed, noting that the center would still be categorized as commercial even if it doesn’t make a profit.
“I’m inclined to believe it’s a commercial activity also,” said Commissioner Newbill Miller. And as a commercial venture, it requires a rezoning, not a special use permit, he maintained.
Mr. Estes affirmed “absolutely” that the land the Chapmans have contracted to purchase, pending zoning approval, is in a conservation zone, not an agricultural zone as announced in the public notice of the application.
“I think the BZA needs legal advice on this,” Mr. Miller added. “Our recommendation should point out the areas we think are trouble areas,” he suggested as the commissioners voted unanimously to recommend that the zoning board deny the Chapmans’ special use permit application.
The BZA will consider the Chapmans’ request at its 9 a.m. meeting May 23 in the Gay Street Theater.
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