ZONING WORK SESSION 
Wednesday, February 11, 2004 

Present:  Mr. Brush, Ms. Proulx, Ms. Russell, Dr. Walker, Ms. Hunt 
Absent: Mr. Bruguiere, Mr. Hoffman 

Commissioners and Mr. Boger reviewed the following chapters of the draft 
Zoning Ordinance: 

PARKING AND LOADING REQUIREMENTS (Chapter 8) - The purpose of this 
chapter is to set forth off-street parking and off-street loading and 
stacking requirements.  The goals are to: 
  1. maximize the design and construction of safe and functional 
parking, loading and stacking areas; 
  2. provide for parking, loading and stacking in rational and 
reasonable proportions to the needs of the intended land use or 
development activity; 
  3. provide opportunities to adjust minimal parking requirements in 
certain projects to coincide with the shared and common parking demands; and 
  4. reduce the potential for adverse environmental and esthetic impacts 
of parking, loading and stacking areas on surrounding land uses. 

Ms. Proulx clarified that the provisions in Chapter 8 would cover all 
zoning designations, from agricultural to industrial.  Mr. Boger agreed 
that they would.  Ms. Proulx then asked for clarification on the 
surfacing required for residential parking areas, noting that gravel was 
not included in the list of treatments allowed.  She said that paving 
would not necessarily be needed in a residential or agricultural parking 
area.  Mr. Boger pointed out that the requirement might be needed with 
an apartment building or in a housing complex.  Mr. Brush said that 
although commercial and industrial uses require paving in the draft 
ordinance, it might be preferable to allow small shopping areas or small 
businesses to use gravel rather than an impermeable surface. 
Commissioners asked staff to review the sections on parking spaces to 
clarify the requirements.  Commissioners also asked for clarification on 
two paragraphs pertaining to prohibiting repair, dismantling or 
servicing of vehicles, equipment, materials or supplies in any required 
off-street parking facility.  The term "parking facility" was not clear 
or defined in the Ordinance. 

Ms. Russell suggested that the section dealing with lighting of parking 
areas should include a reference to, and follow the standards set, in 
Chapter 11 (Outdoor Lighting and Illumination Regulations). 
Commissioners reviewed the design criteria for parking and loading 
spaces and made several minor changes and additions.  Under "Computation 
of Required Parking Spaces", the Commissioners revised several 
definitions and reviewed the minimum required parking spaces required 
for various types of businesses. 

NONCONFORMING USES (CHAPTER 7) - The objective of this chapter is to 
regulate and limit the development and continued existence of uses, 
structures and lots established prior to the effective date of this 
ordinance which do not conform to the requirements of this ordinance. 
The ordinance would allow certain nonconforming uses to continue, but 
the provisions are intended to curtail substantial investment in 
nonconformities and to bring about their eventual improvement to a 
conforming status or elimination in order to preserve the integrity of 
the ordinance and the desired character of Nelson County.  In general, 
any nonconforming use that has been not been discontinued or abandoned 
for a continuous period of more than two years could continue to operate 
upon adoption of a new Zoning Ordinance.  The property or building may 
be sold and continue with the nonconforming use.  Under the draft 
ordinance, the nonconforming use may not be expanded or extended.  If 
the nonconforming use is discontinued or abandoned for a period of two 
years, the use may not be renewed or reestablished, with any subsequent 
use of the lot or structure being required to conform to the ordinance. 
 Ms. Russell suggested that the section on nonconforming signs, reviewed 
in Chapter 10 (Sign Regulations) be included in this chapter.  

Meeting adjourned.  The next Zoning Work Session will be on Wednesday, 
March 10 at 7:00pm at the Courthouse.