By Joe Ronan  

The regular Wednesday night meeting of the Fluvanna Board of Supervisors commenced with the usual Public Comment segment. The only person to speak was Joe Chesser who was the announced candidate running in opposition to Charles Allbaugh. He made a brief announcement about the upcoming Leadership Development Program for 2009-2010.

Later in the evening Allbaugh, citing a reordering of priorities to give more time to his family, withdrew his candidacy for reelection, leaving Chesser as a candidate without an opponent.

Thereafter, the board unanimously approved the conveyance of its interest in property that is the site of the Central Virginia Regional in Orange County. The property was jointly owned by the counties of Greene, Fluvanna, Louisa, Madison and Orange. Ownership in the property will be vested in the Central Virginia Regional Authority after all counties convey their interest.

The amendment to the zoning code which is designed to create a new zoning category known as Planned Unit Development (PUD) was introduced by Fluvanna Senior Planner Bryant Phillips.

PUD zoning is designed to provide for mixed use development areas at Zion Crossroads which will allow multi-family housing, small locally owned shops, larger retail development and light industry. Mixed use development on a smaller scale is provided in the Palmyra, Rivanna and Fork Union communities.

No public comment was introduced. The BOS went straight to discussion of the proposal. Supervisor Gene Ott, Rivanna district, while making it clear he was not speaking in opposition to the proposal, suggested that the matter be tabled until after the board had an opportunity to discuss the matter at the following weeks work session.

“If it was only in the urban development area [Zion Crossroad], it would be okay,” said Ott.

He cited traffic issues on Rts. 53 and 616, as well as the Rt. 600/616 intersection. Ott expressed concern about traffic from these developments entering and adding to already heavily travelled roads without consideration being given to adding lanes to accommodate the overload.

“There is a lot to think about before we vote on this change. The concept is a major step from where we are right now,” he said, posing the question, “does PUD represent the rural character of the community?”

Supervisor Don Weaver, Cunningham district, expressed concern that the proposal promotes growth but does not preserve the rural character of the community.

The board unanimously decided to defer action on the proposal until after the July 23rd work session discussion.

In another unanimous vote the board approved a special use permit to allow a general retail commercial greenhouse and a small home industry on property located on Rt. 616, west of Rt. 15.

Mud bogging is coming to Fluvanna County as the result of BOS' unanimous approval of Allen Haislip's request to operate six mud bog events on his 46 acre property in Kents Store.

The proposal had received the unanimous approval of the Fluvanna Planning Commission. Prior to the vote an issue was raised concerning security at the events that can draw several hundred people. The proposal included a requirement of one security officer for every 350 people. The provision was amended to provide for a “licensed” security officer, which would be the equivalent of a deputy sheriff.

Another lengthy discussion on the topic of the noise generated by these events led to a requirement that the maximum noise level be limited to a maximum of 70 decibels during any continuous 60 second period.

Before the vote Chairman Marvin Moss, Columbia district, made the point that this special use permit, if approved, would be in the name of an individual instead of attaching to the land, which is the usual procedure. Fred Payne, county attorney, indicated that he generally did not favor this approach. The exception was not unreasonable in this case because of the character and reputation of the landowner.

Supervisor Mozell Booker, Fork Union district, suggested that the board observe a “moment of silence” at the beginning of each meeting. There was unanimous agreement. At future meetings a moment of silence will be observed immediately following the Pledge of Allegiance.