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By Gerald Ochs
Rappahanmx-k News Writer
At its March 4 meeting, the County Board of Supervisors affirmed the recommendation of the Planning Commission to approve the application by the Rappahannock National Bank (RNB) to rezone a 20 acre parcel to General Commercial’ from Agricultural.' Located on US 211. just east of Schoolhouse Road in a General Commercial overlay district established in the County's Comprehensive Plan, the "Rappahannock Commons Commercial Centre' will house a new 6700 square foot bank facility and up to five other businesses, but all construction ii£ the development is constrained by RNB proffers and subject to specific site plan reviews and approvals by the Planning Commission. :
Rappahannock National Bank CEO Michael Leake and Mark Smith of Greenway Engineering of Winchester presented the Board with their plan for the development. Mr. Leake said that he was "very fortunate to be here this evening as the contract purchaser of this land," and he noted that the Rappahannock National Bank has been in the County for one hundred years, has "grown locally" and now is "fortunate to have an opportunity ... to build a facility to serve for another hundred years." Mr. Smith outlined the process bv which the development plan was formulated, and he described the proffers that would control the development.
The proffers include: a limit on the total - under roof space in the development to 75,000 square feet, and a limit on individual buildings to a maximum of 20,000 square feet; a list of thirty-two prohibited uses; architectural requirements that restrict construction to masonry facades and wood, polymer or architectural concrete siding; a limit of one entrance on US 211; a requirement for shielded and downcast outdoor lighting; a prohibition on interior illuminated signs; a resource protection area in which development is prohibited; and an agreement to Conform to the general conditions and spirit of the commercial area plan as outlined in the Rappahannock Gountv Comprehensive Plan . .
The public hearing on the application was slightly tipped toward opposition, hut less so than at the Planning Commission hearing. Those in favor spoke of the need for a new banking facility that would better serve the community, and in support of commercial development in the area designated in the Comprehensive Plan.
Those in opposition generally expressed concern that the development would set a bad precedent and could lead to increased development in the County.
The Supervisors all spoke in support of the bank's plan. Bryant Lee said that the RNB was one of the first businesses in the County and that it helped make Rappahannock what it is today. He noted that there
See SUPERVISORS. Page A8
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