Board puts off rezoning decision

By Erin McGrath

Published: October 22, 2008

The Nelson County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 14 deferred their decision on a member of their board’s application to rezone property in Afton from residential to business until they could consult with the county attorney.

North District Supervisor Tommy Harvey applied to rezone 2.7 acres of land on Tanbark Road in Afton from residential to business for the construction of medical offices.

The Nelson County Planning Commission recommended approval of the rezoning at an Sept. 23 meeting.

Harvey asked the supervisors to approve the rezoning with a two-year time limit.

He said if the medical center contract did not materialize in two years, then the property would revert back to residential zoning.

Supervisors had questions about whether they could approve such a condition, including the legality of putting a time limit on a zoning decision under that circumstance.

Harvey said he had been in contact with Martha Jefferson Hospital, which would use 3,500 square feet of the building if the contract materializes and would have approval of the related office to be housed in the remaining part of the 5,000 square foot building.

Jim Gates, Harvey’s partner on the project, said the building they propose would be a one-story brick structure with low-level lighting.

The board of supervisors will meet again at 7:30 p.m. today.