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 3 · column 5 of 7 · from the scan, no model involved
By LOU HATTER
Rappahannock News Staff Writer
Washington’s Architectural Review Board delayed approving applications from Camille Harris and Pat Foster for signs advertising businesses to be located at their home, the Foster-Harris House on Main Street.
The ARB refused to act because the legality of the businesses under the town’s zoning ordinances has not yet been resolved. “The only business of the ARB is whether the signs look right,” ARB chairman Carol Miller said. “We can only act after the zoning (question) is resolved.”
Mrs. Miller offered a letter written by Zoning Administrator John McCarthy which said that, in his opinion, the ordinance in effect when Mrs. Harris applied (ordinance effective July 21, 1970) did allow signs advertising businesses located in the Town of Washington by right.
“However,” Mr. McCarthy’s letter continued, “the businesses she both operates (flower shop) and that her husband proposes to operate (woodworking shop) are allowed by special use permit, which the applicant did not apply for.
“Consequently, she proposes to erect signs for a business which is not legally constituted . . . this is illegal under . . . the old ordinance.”
Mr. McCarthy further stated that, in his opinion, the businesses Mrs. Harris proposes to operate are “by-right home occupations” under the new ordinance, (adopted August 20), but commercial advertising signs are prohibited under the new ordinance in a Village Residential district.
Mrs. Harris replied that “This opens another whole can of worms. We and everyone else have been operating illegally - if a special use permit is needed. We thought we were legal - we had no idea. Our intent is to comply ... We applied for the permits to act in good faith with the ordinance.”
The ARB did, however, grant a Certificate of Appropriateness for a paint scheme presented by Mrs. Harris and Mr. Foster. The house will be painted in light gray, the trim charcoal gray, the sashes white and the roof red. Noting that their color choices were chosen from a color chart recommended by the board, the three-member ARB (Mrs.
95.7%