LANCASTER—Following a somewhat contentious public hearing, the planning commission voted 3-2-1 to recommend the Lancaster board of supervisors deny a rezoning request by Jesse Davis for a parcel on Mary Ball and Chases roads, the site of River View Contracting at 17641 Mary Ball Road near White Stone.
Commission members Tara Booth, David Chupp and Glenn Pinn voted to deny the request; Steve Sorensen and Latoy Davenport voted against the motion and Ty Brent abstained from voting because of a previous business dealing regarding the property in question. Claudette Henderson was absent.
Presenting the project, director of planning and land use Olivia Hall said the request “could be considered reasonable and appropriate given the fact that nearby parcels have commercial uses.” She cited two commercial (C1) and nine limited commercial (C2) properties less than a mile away and two other C1 properties approximately a mile away. The property is also adjacent to the county’s Primary Growth Area as outlined in the comprehensive plan.
Hall added that the project was “originally approved as a home occupation, which is a by right use in R1 residential general zoning as the headquarters for the homeowner/private contractor’s business, River View Contracting.” Hall said she received comments from eight individuals who asked to remain anonymous. They had concerns about screening of the property, the later potential sale of the property with commercial zoning and the potential loss of the rural character of….
