Candidates agree on plans for county's development
At a candidates meeting Wednesday, Board of Supervisors candidates for two districts were not far apart on the major issue of rural development. All agreed that the county should find a balance between preserving farmland and allowing new residential development.
They disagreed, mildly, only over technicalities such as whether to limit density on a “sliding scale” or allow property owners to sell off a limited number of acres per year, called “time release.”
“It doesn’t matter if one may want the sliding scale plan and I might want time release,” said Buffalo District incumbent Mack Smith. “One of those two plans has to be tried.”
The forum, organized by the Natural Bridge Ruritan Club, featured Natural Bridge District challenger Hunt Riegel and incumbent Maynard Reynolds, as well as Buffalo District challenger W.B. “Doc” Wilmore and Smith. The election will take place Nov. 6.
The night’s discussion was dominated by re-zoning. It has been a hot campaign issue since the Board of Supervisors decided in September not to approve a re-zoning plan recommended by planners. Instead, the supervisors sent the issue back to the Planning Commission to be re-addressed in early November.
In the Natural Bridge District race, Reynolds and Riegel supported the decision to postpone the adoption of a new plan. In fact, on the day of the vote, incumbent Reynolds abstained. When confronted about his decision, Reynolds said he was not against the plan. He was only looking out for landowners who had called asking for more time to study the issues.
Riegel says that he too believes the community needs to take time to re-examine what the county goals are and how it can protect valuable farm land, open spaces and conservation areas for recreation. He says it is critical to adopt ordinances that will support residential development in areas where utilities are available.
Part of the issue with growth is rural areas of the county where infrastructure and services cannot support it. Those places, referred to as “sprawl areas,” are creating financial and environmental challenges.
Two methods have been proposed to change current land use policies. The “sliding scale” method, proposed by a growth planning committee this year, would allow land owners to sell more acres, but they could be developed only at a lower density. Sliding scales have been used for a number of years in several Virginia counties including Clarke, Fauquier, Page and Montgomery. The “time release” method would allow landowners to develop a certain number of acres per year.
In the Buffalo District race, incumbent Smith and challenger Wilmore both touched on the availability of water. Without the ability to build pipes to reach certain residential areas or “clusters,” residents have in the past built wells and septic tanks.
“These subdivisions that are putting 50 holes in the ground are going to play havoc with our water table,” said Wilmore. Smith agrees that the presence of too many wells and septic tanks will have a negative economic impact on the county.
Smith, who has been a supervisor for four years, said that while he supports the time release method, any plan is better than none. He proposes that the county issue a rezoning plan and then in 90 days fine-tune it. Challenger Wilmore says he agrees that something must be done to settle the issue.
Marilyn Shaner Buerkens, a resident of the Natural Bridge District, is upset with how the supervisors have handled the issue.
“I have been real disappointed that we haven’t already brought our zoning issue to a head and come to some resolve,” says Buerkens.
Some residents, mostly landowners and farmers, say that the recently proposed plan is too restrictive of their development rights.
“I feel like we are being told how to sell our land,” said Tom Black, a resident of the Natural Bridge District.
Susan Perkins, resident of the Buffalo District, said that the interest shown at the meeting was a good reflection of how strongly residents feel about the issue.
“Rezoning is not to be taken lightly,” said Perkins. “It has to do with protecting the biggest investments that we have, our homes and our land.”
What had become an open discussion reverted to a competitive forum when candidates were asked to make their closing remarks. Some candidates addressed issues not talked about during the night, including sewage, landfills and trash. Wilmore chose to end with a more personal touch.
“I love my wife. I love my dog. I love Rockbridge County,” he said. “And I would love to have your vote on Nov. 6.”
Most seemed to view the forum as a success.
“I like what I saw here tonight,” said Black. “It’s very healthy.”
Hear community member Marilyn Shaner Buerkens comment on forum
Contested races should spur voters' interests
Produced by Washington and Lee journalism students.
Lead supervisor: Prof. Brian Richardson
Reporting supervisors:
Technical supervisor: Michael Todd