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“grandfather” clause is Wallace Critzer, who operates an excavating business from his property on Middle Street. The "grandfather” clause states that non-conforming uses (use of a property not set out in the provisions of the ordinance, but which was in existance prior to the passage of the ordinance) may continue, and that use may be transferred from present to future owners.
Mr. Critzer was represented by his attorney, Douglas Baumgardner, who commended the preamble of the comprehensive plan, which states as its goal the protection of “that which has gone before.” “It’s a preservationist plan, and like the present ordinance, rightly so. But in our zeal to preserve Washington, don’t engage in tactics which in the end will expel residents who have made their whole lives here.”
Mr. Critzer added, “I’ve been personally in business for 50 years, and my family for generations. I never pushed or shoved for anything. . . I want ta stay here — to make a living like I always have. I don’t want to be hassled.”
Randolph Clater, who served as a member of the planning commission, rose to defend the commission’s work. “I didn’t want the job, now I know why. We’ve done it for the town — not against people. That’s what they’ve got to realize.”
C. E. (Skippy) Giles, owner of the Washington Cash Store, questioned the zoning of his property to residential. “I’ve been told tonight that my store is better off in a residential zone — I don’t quite understand that.”
Mr. Reynolds replied that “if the ordinance is passed or not it doesn’t affect you, except if the store is 100 percent destroyed you can build it back — you can’t do that now; or, if it is shut down for up to two years, you can start it back up.”
Mr. Giles said that he had been told by an appraiser that he would lose 20 percent of the value of the property because of the zoning. Mr. Wickens replied, “I don’t think they read the ordinance. You get everything you need.”
Ms. Harris objected, saying, “You are missing the main point of what people are saying. It is the uncertain future that is scary. Our options are limited.”
Mrs. St. Clair added that “you say you’ve come to save us —you’ve come to make a lot of trouble for us. You are making problems for people who grew up here, have families, businesses.”
Mr. Wickens replied, “The new ordinance does not cancel any existing permits.”
Jimmy DeBergh, owner of Harris Hollow Frozen Fruit Co., angrily questioned the proposals: “Who are you to tell us what we want? What are my rights? If you can’t tell me what my rights are I will fight you
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