Exception

Exception

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ception is very small,” he said.

Mr. McCarthy said that the section of the ordinance which called for reduced density applied to bodies of water greater than two acres, flood plains, and quarries as well as land with slopes in excess of 25 percent. “There is nothing in that section that says you can except certain areas,” he said. “The way it’s written now it’s very plain. There is no question that it is applied unfairly.”

Mr. McCarthy said that the Planning Commission hasn’t had to deal with the issue since the new ordinance was adopted, but he has dealt with it in subdivisions that are approved administratively. “Typically it’s for flood plains rather than slope,” he said.

“We would be establishing a precedent to go with this,” Mr. Stokes noted, and asked if anyone in the audience would like to speak.

Allen Olson, president of the Rappahannock League for Environmental Protection said, “I would like to speak not in opposition, but in favor of its modification. TTiis is one example of the increasing problem of ridge top and mountaintop development. The mountain views are increasingly being blocked by houses on the highest and baldest knob. Properly sited there is much less or no visual impact.

“In England there are 50 million plus people in an area a fraction of the size of the United States, yet as you drive across the English countryside, you don’t see houses. The county’s Comprehensive Plan recognizes the scenic qualities of the mountains. The aesthetic reasons are important, but there are other important reasons, some economic. Tourism is a major source of revenue. Visitors come to see the mountains; they do not come to see houses on top of mountains.

“You need to find a way to help Mr. Mitchell to relocate his house sites so he will have better properties and adjacent landowners will have better properties too.”

Diane Kidwell said she was a neighboring landowner. “I might be a little late,” she said. “I feel what he’s asking for is a special exception