Photo courtesy of Town of Fincastle
By Matt de Simone
Fincastle Town Council met last week at the Fincastle Volunteer Fire Department Training Room. When considering additions to the zoning ordinance, council decided to table discussions in lieu of a public hearing next month.
Last month, Scott Critzer of the Fincastle Planning Commission updated council on their review of town zoning ordinances. He provided maps for council and attendees to review and discussed some of the things of which the planning commission discovered. These adjustments should have been made several years ago, but were never implemented, according to Critzer.
Mayor Mary Bess Smith clarified that when the planning commission made the voluntary boundary adjustments, they agreed whatever outside properties that were brought into the boundaries and whatever properties currently in town, would maintain their zoning classifications and that these additions would not change the existing zoning within the town. Smith went on to explain that the commission worked hard to incorporate Botetourt County’s language for certain zoning classifications (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, B-1, and B-2) into the town’s.
“Scott and the planning commission have reviewed all of this in great depth and they’ve agreed that those (classifications) are all fine… without needing to go through and look for any kind of uses or anything that’s in there that we might not want,” Smith explained.
Smith said that Critzer suggested to reach out to town attorney, Kathleen Wright, who said in an email to the town that council could “administratively vote” on the planning commission’s recommendation.
Councilman Richard Flora expressed that a public hearing would be needed before the town made any decisions to avoid any “challenges” from residents concerning zoning ordinances.
After a brief discussion, council agreed that the most efficient way to handle this decision is to table it until a public hearing is held at the July meeting.
In other town notes, citizen comments focused on the issues with loud noise of truckers using jake brakes within town limits within the 55 mph speed zones early in the mornings. It was suggested by councilman John Thomas to speak with VDOT about lowering the speed limit to 45 mph from Brugh’s Mill through town limits on Route 220 to avoid further disruptions.
Smith updated council on revamping the town’s website. She presented council members samples of test-sites and asked for their approval. Councilman Ed Bordett made sure that the site will be much easier to use, which Smith confirmed. Council voted to approve the website upgrade.
The town is still looking for donations for the upcoming Fourth of July celebration. Interested parties can donate to the festivities via Venmo to @Townof-Fincastle.
