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mony in order to consider a proposed use’s impact on the water table. “You’ve given us unsubstantiated opinion. I understand your concern but we have no facts to judge it on.”
Neighboring landowner Luther Jenkins questioned the expenditure of $400,000 when the Chapmans “don’t know what to expect” He said that his pastor runs a retreat center just 10 or 12 miles down the road from the Chapman’s proposed location “ and he can’t make ends meet. . . There he is a begging to have people come in on weekends.”
“Once zoned for a commercial use, it will stay that way forever,” said Karl Romney.
Mary Louise Bane worried over the potential liability if a guest at the center wandered onto her property and was injured by one of her horses. “That frightens me.”
Frank Quanty maintained that granting the permit would set a precedent for commercial uses in the area.
Ruth Richards of Sperryville described the retreat center proposal as “a lovely thing to do with 88 acres.”
Jim Thomason, Washington resident and theologian at Georgetown University, likened the Chapman’s plan to a Quaker retreat house in Philadelphia and two Jesuit retreat centers in Maryland. Addressing Col. Luke’s demand for a market study, he volunteered to conduct such a study and report back to the BZA.
In setting a site visit for Sunday, May 18, at 4 p.m., the BZA tabled a decision on the Chapman’s application until May 28 when the board meets next. The delay will give opponents and proponents time to secure additional information, including expert testimony on the impact of the center’s water demands and the effect on land values and public health that a similar retreat center in Huntly has had, the BZA members pointed out.
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