COME DANCE WITH US! This Saturday, January 26th - Rural Nelson's First Community Dance Party - "From Aretha to Ziggy" with Guest DJ's - at The Hamner Theater at the Rockfish Valley Community Center. Doors open at 8:00pm with a $5 - $10 suggested donation to benefit Rural Nelson. Cash Bar to benefit The Hamner Theater. 21 and over please. http://www.ruralnelson.org/RNDanceParty0801.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ UPCOMING: - Thursday, January 24th - BOARD OF SUPERVISORS - 7:30pm Courthouse - Tuesday, February 5th - PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION - 7:30pm Courthouse ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PLANNING COMMISSION Wednesday, January 23, 2008 Present: Ms. Philippa Proulx, Ms. Emily Hunt, Mr. Mike Harman, Ms. Linda Russell, Mr. Mike Tapager and Mr. Tommy Bruguiere (Board Liaison) ELECTION OF 2008 OFFICERS - Commissioners voted unanimously to elect Ms. Proulx, Chair; Ms. Hunt, Vice Chair; and Ms. Betty Fortune, Secretary AMENDMENT TO SPECIAL USE PERMIT #96-6/VERIZON WIRELESS - The applicant has applied to collocate six antennas and associated equipment at a height of 130' RAD on an existing telecommunications tower and to construct a 12'x30' equipment shelter at the base of the tower within the existing fenced compound on property owned by Mr. and Mrs. Robert T. Brush and located on Thurmond's Hollow Lane (Rt. 615) in Faber. Ms. Russell noted that the original permit allowed a tower not to exceed 170' and that Verizon has estimated the overall height with the addition of the six new antennas at 165'. With no public comment, Commissioners voted 6-0 to recommend approval of the amendment as requested with the condition that any power lines be located along the existing road. EXCEPTION/MS. HALLIE L. AND LAVERNE ALLEN - The applicant has requested an exception to Section 3-2 of the Subdivision Ordinance, Article 4, regarding the requirement for a 30-foot wide right-of-way providing ingress and egress to and from a dedicated recorded public street for property located off Adial Road (Rt. 634) in Faber. Mr. Boger reported that the applicant wishes to divide the property into two lots for a family subdivision for her daughter (Ms. Laverne Allen). The exception is requested as the plat shows a 30-foot right-of-way across the reside of the lot that stops at the boundary of the property with access to the public street via an existing soil and gravel drive serving Ms. Hallie Allen's property. Mr. Boger estimated the right-of-way at 10 feet. During discussions with Ms. Allen, the applicant said that she thought she could get the required right-of-way as the adjoining properties are owned by family members. Commissioners agreed to defer further discussion at the applicant's request for more time to talk to family members. OTHER BUSINESS - Commissioners set Tuesday, February 5th at 7:30pm for a work session on a proposed amendment to the ordinance (wells and septics). Ms. Proulx noted that this will be a work session and not a public hearing. A public hearing will be held after a draft amendment is developed and advertised. Ms. Proulx expressed concern that there are no guidelines for the Commissioners to follow regarding exceptions. She said that the ordinance does not give timelines or guidance. Mr. Boger said that the requests for exceptions are forwarded to the Commission by the Supervisors for their input. Ms. Proulx said that she understands that but that there should be formal guidelines so all cases are treated the same. Mr. Boger said that the Board could formally adopt a resolution referring a requested exception to the Commission with a deadline for a recommendation. Ms. Russell said that setting a sixty-day deadline could result, as it has in the past, in an applicant unable or unwilling to provide requested information to allow the Commission to make a recommendation. Commissioners directed staff to develop a policy statement for Supervisor and Commissioner review. Meeting continued until February 5th. Copyright 2000-2008 by Rural Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Reports may be reprinted or excerpted with attribution. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ OF INTEREST: - Wednesday, February 20th - 4:00pm-7:00pm Region 2000 Regional Water Supply Stakeholder Workshop - informational session and a time for input from interested public. Location: Lynchburg Public Library. - "A Cradle of Democracy" - A Winter Lecture Performance sponsored by The Wintergreen Nature Foundation and the Historical Society of Nelson County. Performances at the Nelson County High School Auditorium. For reservations, call The Wintergreen Nature Foundation at 434.325.8169 or online at www.twnf.org. - Saturday, January 26th - 7:00pm - "The Times That Tried the Souls of Men" - Saturday, February 9th - 7:00pm - "Virginia's Leadership & the Struggles of a New Nation" - Saturday, February 23rd - 7:00pm - "A Time of Celebration" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This report, sent to over 600 Nelson County citizens, was made possible by the generous donations of Rural Nelson members and supporters. We need your help to continue this service. Please consider donating. Kim T. Cash Field Officer Rural Nelson, Inc. P. O. Box 401 Lovingston, VA 22949 434.263.5000 www.ruralnelson.org