Zoning changes spur comment

VERONA – Wide ranging potential changes to Augusta County’s ordinances drew a packed house in Verona on Monday night, and some of the speakers urged the county to slow down on revisions to the zoning ordinance.

The changes to zoning and subdivision ordinances have been worked on the past several months to support the county’s revised comprehensive development plan passed in 2007.

The county board of supervisors met jointly with the planning commission to receive comment on Monday.

Developer Frank Root said the new zoning ordinance changes regarding recreation in developments need to be examined more.

“Prices will go up and rents will go up,’’ he said. Root said developers will put the appropriate amount of recreation in when they develop.

Former Augusta County Supervisor Charles Curry spoke on behalf of the county farm bureau.

He said the proposed elimination of the exclusive agriculture designation and a single designation of general agriculture is a significant change.

He said the wish of those involved in Augusta County agriculture was a move toward more innovative uses such as ag-tourism and recreational agriculture.

The sole designation of general agriculture opens up some potential unwelcome development in ag areas, Curry said.

“But with the new zoning, almost anything with a special use permit could be permitted in an agricultural zone,’’ he said.

More than 90 percent of Augusta County is zoned agricultural, making future development on that land vital.

Comments made on the ordinances Monday night will go back to the planning commission for further review.

The revisions could be in place by Jan 1.