From courthouse renovation updates and energy infrastructure, to public hearings on tourist homes, here’s what happened at Monday’s Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting:
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Work is still being done on concept drawings and plans for the county courthouse renovation project. According to representatives from Glavé & Holmes, the architectural firm overseeing design plans, final site models should be complete by Nov. 21. The firm will present the possibility of both a new, freestanding structure and an addition to the existing building.
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In his update on commercial activity in the county, Hampton Supervisor Keir Whitson said, based on conversations with The Inn at Little Washington manager Ed Gannon, the inn’s expansion project could begin as soon as the spring. Whitson said the inn’s distribution site on Route 211 across from Quickie Mart is “absorbing” a majority of delivery truck traffic that used to block Main Street.
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Representatives from FirstEnergy, an electric service company in Ohio, reported on work to update an electrical line that transmits most of the county’s power from Luray to Sperryville. Dan Tompkins, director of regional and external affairs at the company, said they will update infrastructure on those 13.8 miles, replacing 40-year-old wooden poles with steel weatherized poles. Tompkins said the intent of the project is not to increase power capacity. He encouraged Rappahannock residents to attend a discussion being held at the Luray Volunteer Fire Department Nov. 7, from 7-9 p.m.
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The board discussed the need for the Fire Levy Board, whose main function is to recommend approval or denial of reimbursement for fire company’s expenditures. The supervisors ultimately decided to leave the board in place. They also discussed ways to make the process more efficient, like scheduling time slots for chiefs to present their receipts and documents to the Fire Levy Board.
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The board continued a discussion on the specifics of the temporary sign portion of the county Sign Ordinance. County Administrator Garrey Curry suggested taking the ordinance a piece at a time and going through “small bites.” At next month’s meeting, the board will review the off-premise sign section of the ordinance.
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The board reappointed Norman Smith to the Board of Building Appeals, and Christian Dutihl to the Encompass Community Supports board. It appointed a new member of the Library Board of Trustees – Elizabeth Conley – to replace Judy DeSarno who is not seeking reappointment. Three other members of the Library Board of Trustees – Kit Johnston, Randi Shumate and Patti Peterson – were reappointed as well. All of their terms will start in 2025.
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Piedmont Supervisor Christine Smith introduced a “relatively simple” language change that would take certain by right uses out of conservation zoning, such as country inns and resorts, in the Rappahannock County Code. The Planning Commission will review the amendment in more detail at its meeting later this month.
Public hearings
The board hosted three public hearings on special permit applications recommended for approval by the Planning Commission.
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The board unanimously approved a permit application for a tourist home filed by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) for a one-room cabin at 120 Mt. Marshall Road. Use of the cabin will be reserved for club members only, and booked through the nonprofit’s private website.
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After extensive public comment from neighbors, both in support and opposition of the application, the board unanimously approved an application for the construction of an accessory dwelling unit at 177 Ridgeview Lane in Washington, with the conditions that the main home — which is still under construction — be completed by the end of March 2025.
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The board unanimously approved a permit application for the construction of a second home on 31 Sharp Rock Road, without subdividing the 215.13 acre, agriculturally-zoned parcel. The new building will be the main residence for owners Natalie Bradley and Chad Briggs, and the existing home will be used as a guest cottage.
Ireland Hayes is a reporter for Foothills Forum, a nonprofit organization that supports local news in Rappahannock County.
