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highway commercial zone. This they did with little debate, though the amendment must be approved by the Board of Supervisors in order to be effected.
After public comments were heard on the Hearthstone mixed-use proposal, Planning Commission members debated its appropriateness. Member Butch Zindel said that “if we are going to allow schools in highway commercial zones, I don’t think we can dictate what they do with it.” Tom Junk concurred with Mr. Zindel, indicating that he would too vote in favor of the application. Tom Tepper said that it “sounds like we have a bag of worms combined with a Pandora’s Box.”
Member Susan Babcock suggested “that you rethink the gas tank,” and Chairman Werner Krebser asked if the applicants “could go back to the Swindlers (the owners) and sharpen your pencils and see if you can do this without the gas.”
At this point in the debate, Hearthstone representative Sam Clifton asked “What if we limit gas sales to weekends and summer—when the kids aren’t even there?”
‘ This compromise appeared to sway some of the Planning Commission members, though Mr. Junk remarked that “I don’t think that this board should put restraints on (the applicant).”
A motion was forwarded to permit school operations and gasoline sales when school is not in session, with a one year review of the use by the Planning Commission. This compromise passed with members Zindel, Junk, Babcock, and Brown voting in favor, and members Krebser and Tfepper voting against.
Hearthstone rethinks
At a meeting held the evening after the Planning Commission presentation, the Hearthstone council and parents met to revisit the mixed use approved by the Planning Commission. In a most sensible decision, they voted to eliminate gasoline sales from their application, and to focus on education alone. Though this revised approach may cost the school some critically needed income, it also eliminates a potential distraction that could have impaired the effectiveness of school activities. The prospective site for the Hearthstone school is ideal, and it is likely that they will have success now in attracting enough additional students, as well as contributions, to make up for the potential loss of income from gasoline and related sales.
The Board of Supervisors will consider the Planing Commission’s recommendation, as modified by Hearthstone, at its July 3 meeting.
Walter family apartment
In a less controversial issue, the Planning Commission heard an application from Thomas and Betty Walter for an 1120 square foot family apartment on their 2.44 acre parcel on Tiger Valley Road. The only issue on this special use application is the desire of the applicant to locate the apartment 350 feet from the main house due to topographic reasons, but the code restricts that distance to 200 feet or less. The Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of the application, and the Board of Zoning Appeals will hear it at their June 28 meeting.
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