Supervisors Hear From VDOT on Coming Road Closings Before Launching Into 25 Public Hearings

As the Warren County Board of Supervisors’ regular open meeting of February 6 convened, two items were added to the agenda. Those were a Virginia Department Of Transportation (VDOT) report and an update on the County’s Fire & Rescue Department. The VDOT report included an update on road closing plans impacting several roads, including Rockland, Shenandoah Shores, and Happy Creek at the Shenandoah Shores intersection at the railroad crossing. See that report introduced by Edwin Carter, who was accompanied by a fellow VDOT staffer whose name we heard as Matt Foley (apologies if miss-heard that last name, Matt).

Carter’s VDOT report, including those road closing plans and who has authority over them – the railroad in some cases he noted, begins at the 2:57 video mark, with road closings first referenced at the 5:06 mark concerning Rockland Road. The VDOT report ends at 15:50 of the video, followed by the Fire & Rescue report, some of it involving coordination with VDOT on providing emergency access during coming neighborhood access road closings.

Prior to the open meeting, the supervisors convened into Closed/Executive Session at 6 p.m. The motion into that closed session read: “I move the Board enter into a closed meeting under the provisions of Section 2.2-3711(A)(8) of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act for consultation with legal counsel employed by the public body, regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel, such legal matters being the Purchase Option Agreement, and taxation and zoning issues related to battery storage facilities.

Unfinished Business

In one item of Unfinished Business, the board unanimously approved a request by D.R. Horton for a bond reduction for remaining road and stormwater management work at the Blue Ridge Shadows Subdivision. The bond reduction for the remaining Phase 5 work was reduced to $300,000. In response to questions from the board, staff indicated confidence the reduced bond security amount was sufficient to complete the work.

New Business

In one item of New Business, on the recommendation of Chairman Cullers for some continuity moving forward, she was reappointed, and Supervisor Stanmeyer was appointed to the Joint Town/County Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

A 9-item Consent Agenda containing several authorizations to advertise for public hearings, as well as adoption with some amendments to the Human Resources Handbook and two committee citizen appointments, was also unanimously approved as presented during New Business.

Coming out of a 6 p.m. closed session the county’s elected officials faced some negative public feedback early in their open meeting regarding the questioning and comments made by some of them during the Jan. 30 budget work session discussion with Samuels Public Library officials. Then there were the 25 public hearings scheduled for the evening, among other business, which went somewhat smoother. Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini

As noted in our lead story on the Public Comments citizen push-back on the board’s discussion of Samuels Public Library’s funding in the coming Fiscal year 2024/25, there were 25 public hearings scheduled for the meeting. Of those 14 were on the County’s Front Royal Airport (FRR) hangar leases, another six for short-term tourist rentals, and five others on various topics. See the full Public Hearings Agenda items listed in the order they were heard, with the resulting votes, below:

Public Hearings

15. Public Hearing – CUP2023-10-01 – applicants Jordan & Michelle Scheutzow – staff report Chase Lenz – A request for a conditional use permit for a Short-Term Tourist Rental. The property is located at 1296 Reliance Road and identified on tax map 2 as parcel 15. The property is zoned Agricultural (A) and is located in the North River Magisterial District. – Chase Lenz, Zoning Administrator — On a motion by Supervisor Jamieson, unanimously approved.
16. Public Hearing – CUP2023-10-02 – Oleg Li – Chase Lenz – A request for a conditional use permit for a Short-Term Tourist Rental. The property is located at 116 Mossy Rock Way and identified on tax map 24B, section 1, block 20, as parcel 615. The property is zoned Residential-One (R-1) and is located in the Blue Mountain subdivision in the Shenandoah Magisterial District. – Chase Lenz, Zoning Administrator: Supervisor Vicky Cook’s motion to approve died without a second. Supervisor John Stanmeyer’s motion to deny was approved by a 4-1 margin, with Cook dissenting. Prior to the motions and vote, the board heard opposition to the permitting request from Patrick Patton, representing the Blue Mountain Property Owners Association. Patton cited a history of unpermitted short-term rentals at the property with a number of noise violation reports. Patton called Li’s property “a rouge short-term rental.” And while Li said he was trying to comply with permitting regulations now that he was aware of them, the board majority sided with the surrounding property owners’ opposition. Some concerns were expressed at how citizens are notified by the County if they are in violation of County codes regarding things like short-term rentals.
17. Public Hearing – CUP2023-10-03 – Benjamin Huhn – Chase Lenz – A request for a conditional use permit for a Short-Term Tourist Rental. The property is located at 489 Vaught Drive and identified on tax map 15E, section 1, block 1, as parcel 453. The property is zoned Residential-One (R-1) and is located in the Mountain Lake section of the Shenandoah Farms subdivision in the Shenandoah Magisterial District. – Chase Lenz, Zoning Administrator: The board heard opposition from a neighboring property owner couple, though their concerns were based on generalized fears as opposed to anything specific related to the applicant or his property. Consequently, Ms. Cook’s motion to approve, seconded by Butler, passed by a 3-2 margin, Chairman Cheryl Cullers joining Cook and Butler to form the majority.
18. Public Hearing – CUP2023-10-05 – Vesta Property Management (Charlotte Ross & John Mahoney) – Chase Lenz – A request for a conditional use permit for a Short-Term Tourist Rental. The property is located at 115 Greystone Drive and identified on tax map 29A, section 1, as parcel 30A1B. The property is zoned Residential-One (R-1) and is located in the Belmont subdivision in the South River Magisterial District. – Chase Lenz, Zoning Administrator: On a motion by Cook, approved by a 4-1 vote, Jamieson dissenting.
19. Public Hearing – Z2023-11-01 – Public Utility Distribution Facilities – Warren County Planning Staff – Chase Lenz – A request to amend Chapter 180 of the Warren County Code to amend §180-8C Definitions to replace the defined term “Public Utility Poles, Lines, Transformers” with a new “Public Utility Distribution Facilities” term and definition and to amend §180-10E Accessory Uses to replace “public utility poles, lines, transformers, pipes, meters and other facilities necessary to the provision of public utility services within the County” with new “public utility distribution facility” term. – Chase Lenz, Zoning Administrator: With no speakers at public hearing, on a motion by Butler, second by Jamieson, approved unanimously.
20. Public Hearing – CUP2023-10-04 – U-Star Transportation, Inc. – Matt Wendling – A request for a conditional use permit for a Motor Freight Terminal. The property is located at 0 Rockland Road and is identified on tax map 12A, section 1, block 2, as parcel 18A. The property is zoned Industrial (I) and located adjacent to the Kelley Industrial Park in the Security Land Company subdivision in the North River Magisterial District. – Matt Wendling, Planning Director: After no speakers other than the applicant, on a motion by Jamieson, second by Cook, approved unanimously.
21. Public Hearing – CUP2023-10-06 – Green Valley Baptist Church – Matt Wendling – A request for a conditional use permit for a church. The property is located at 150 Ridgemont Road and is identified on tax map 11 as parcel 16B. The property is zoned Agricultural (A) and is located in the North River Magisterial District. – Matt Wendling, Planning Director: After hearing only from the applicant, Pastor Tim Curshoff, on a motion by Cook, second by Butler, approved unanimously.
22. Public Hearing – CUP2023-11-01 – Jorge Lobo (97 Judy, LLC) – Chase Lenz – A request for a conditional use permit for a Short-Term Tourist Rental. The property is located at 97 Judy Lane and is identified on tax map 15E, section 5, block 5, as parcel 549. The property is zoned Residential-One (R-1) and is located in the Mountain Lake section of the Shenandoah Farms subdivision in the Shenandoah Magisterial District. – Chase Lenz, Zoning Administrator: On a motion by Cook, approved unanimously.
23. Public Hearing – CUP2023-11-02 – Vihari Vanga – Chase Lenz – A request for a conditional use permit for a Short-Term Tourist Rental. The property is located at 56 Sunset Village Road and is identified on tax map 27B, section 2, as parcel 102A1. The property is zoned Residential-One (R-1) and is located in the Junewood Estates subdivision in the Fork Magisterial District. – Chase Lenz, Zoning Administrator: On a motion by Jamieson, second by Butler, approved by a 4-1 vote, Cullers dissenting.
24. Public Hearing – Lease Agreement of 201 E. 2nd St., Apt. 2 – Mike Berry – Jane Meadows, Deputy County Administrator: On a motion by Jamieson, approved unanimously.
25. Public Hearing – Lease Agreement of 122 E. 2nd St.- Mike Berry – Jane Meadows, Deputy County Administrator: On a motion by Butler, second by Jamieson, approved unanimously.

Hangar leases all approved

The subsequent 14 FRR Airport hangar leases, half hangars at $200, full hangars at $350, were all approved without opposition.

1. Public Hearing – Lease Agreement of Hangar A5 to Wolfgang Wagner – Mike Berry – Jane Meadows, Deputy County Administrator, Mike Berry, Public Works Director
2. Public Hearing – Lease Agreement of Hangar C2 to Randolph Macon Academy – Mike Berry – Jane Meadows, Deputy County Administrator, Mike Berry, Public Works Director:
3. Public Hearing – Lease Agreement of Hangar B11 to John Ely – Mike Berry
4. Public Hearing – Lease Agreement of Hangar B15 to Rock Skowbo – Mike Berry – Jane Meadows, Deputy County Administrator, Mike Berry, Public Works Director
5. Public Hearing – Lease Agreement of Hangar B18 to Rock Skowbo – Jane Meadows, Deputy County Administrator, Mike Berry, Public Works Director
6. Public Hearing – Lease Agreement of Hangar B19 to Rock Skowbo – Jane Meadows, Deputy County Administrator, Mike Berry, Public Works Director
7. Public Hearing – Lease Agreement of Hangar B16 to Rock Skowbo – Jane Meadows, Deputy County Administrator, Mike Berry, Public Works Director
8. Public Hearing – Lease Agreement of NW Storage Hangar to Skyline Soaring Club, Inc. – Jane Meadows, Deputy County Administrator, Mike Berry, Public Works Director
9. Public Hearing – Lease Agreement of Hangar B2 to Skyline Soaring Club, Inc. – Jane Meadows, Deputy County Administrator, Mike Berry, Public Works Director
10. Public Hearing – Lease Agreement of Hangar B4 to Skyline Soaring Club, Inc. – Mike Berry, Public Works Director, Jane Meadows, Deputy County Administrator
11. Public Hearing – Lease Agreement of Hangar B6 to Skyline Soaring Club, Inc. – Jane Meadows, Deputy County Administrator, Mike Berry, Public Works Director
12. Public Hearing – Lease Agreement of Hangar B8 to Skyline Soaring Club, Inc. – Jane Meadows, Deputy County Administrator, Mike Berry, Public Works Director
13. Public Hearing – Lease Agreement of Hangar B1 to Skyline Soaring Club, Inc. – Jane Meadows, Deputy County Administrator, Mike Berry, Public Works Director
14. Public Hearing – Lease Agreement of Hangar B5 to Skyline Soaring Club, Inc. – Jane Meadows, Deputy County Administrator, Mike Berry, Public Works Director

Click here to watch the Warren County Board of Supervisors Meeting of February 6, 2024.