is required because the program has outgrown that facility.

is required because the program has outgrown that facility.

Lorraine Early spoke in support of application, and commended the Paynes for applying and for their interest in the community. She said that the additional field will give further opportunity for the development of the character and skills of the community’s young people.

Howard Swaim, John Perry and Kim Nelson joined Mrs. Early in voicing support for the application, and letters of support from Clifton Nethers, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Antony, and Jack Smith had been included in the application record.

Opposition to the proposed athletic field was expressed first by Camille Racer. Mrs. Racer said that she was concerned about inadequate notification of neighbors regarding the pending application. She also expressed concern about the maintenance of the field and the lack of room for expansion, and suggested that a maintenance plan and provision for post-use removal of athletic field structures be included as conditions for permit approval.

Mrs. Racer suggested that there may be more appropriate locations for the field, and mentioned as a possibility a nine acre parcel that is owned by the County and leased to the Rappahannock Athletic Association (RAA). She concluded that a 5-acre lot with an auction house and a singlefamily home is enough, and asked that the Commissioners “go there and see.”

Steve and Joanne Ross, who own the 50 foot right-ofway that passes the Payne property, said that they also oppose the field. Mr. Ross expressed concerns about increased traffic and resulting road maintenance needs, liability for any problems that may occur on the right-of-way, and the potential for lighting of the field. “I’m just not sold on a softball field going right there,” he said.

Amy Hitt said that she was not against the applicant, but did not agree with the location of the field in a residential area. She too brought up the County parcel leased to the RAA, and said that the RAA has done nothing with the property and suggested that it should be developed for athletics and recreation. Ms. Hitt noted that she has just started a petition to that effect and that 100 people have already signed it.

After the close of the public hearing, Commissioner A1 Henry commented that no nighttime use had been proposed and therefore no lights would be required. He posed questions to the applicants’ representatives that generated responses that indicated that the use of the field would be