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Fletcher told , the commission. “The first step to take before I can rent the property is to see what zoning uses are allowed for the property.”
Several people stood up to support Fletcher’s proposal. They said he is an honorable man, a longtime county resident who loves Rappahannock and they trust him to run the conference center in a way that will minimize any disturbance to neighbors. Fletcher’s supporters also emphasized the economic realities of farming and said non-agricultural uses are needed to keep large properties from being developed.
Several neighbors of the Miller property came to the— meeting Wednesday to oppose Fletcher’s proposal. Three of Fletcher’s four sisters also opposed his idea, criticizing his character in the process and exposing what seems to be a long-running family feud.
Martha Fletcher Trope said her brother never bothered to inform her and her sisters of his proposal, even though all five siblings are shareholders in the family corporation that owns the land.
Louise Fletcher Tayloe said she is worried about noise, traffic, pollution from lead shot and personal liability for what happens on the property. She also had a request for the planning commission.
“Anyone on the planning commission who is a close personal friend or has been involved in business, either employed or as a partner, should abstain from voting on this application,” she said, pointing out Hampton District Commissioner A1 Henry as someone who should recuse himself from the proceedings.
Adjacent landowners were unanimous in their opposition to Fletcher’s proposal.
“I’m looking into the possibility of putting my land in conservation easement, and if I’m looking out on a big parking lot and a big disturbance, Td be inclined to sell my property off in lots,” said Brian Murphy, who owns 200 acres north of the Miller Farm. “If a corporation is going to come in to manage this property, at what point does it become a commercial property as opposed to agricultural?”
Stephen Kornblatt, who lives on Briar Ridge Lane on the mountain above the Miller Farm, wanted more specifics from Fletcher.
“I think the application is extremely vague,” Kornblatt said. “I really have a hard time understanding what
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