Land use ordinance approved by 4-0 vote

With Commissioner J. Warren Taylor absent, the Alleghany County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a land use plan Monday at their regularly scheduled 10 a.m. meeting.

A crowd of about 30 people attended the meeting and, judging by their reaction to the speakers, the majority appeared to be in support of the ordinance. Of the 12 people who spoke a the meeting, eight offered opinions in favor of the ordinance, while four voiced concerns.

Conversely, at a public hearing on the matter that was held at 6:30 p.m. at the conference room of Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation on May 1, the majority of the speakers voiced concerns about the ordinance.

The ordinance, which is called the "Property Rights Protection Ordinance," basically grandfathers all existing land uses in the county. It also exempts any residential and farming uses of land.

However, any new business use of land is governed, including businesses that drastically chance size or purpose after the effective date of the ordinance, which was May 15.

The ordinance has provisions for racetracks, businesses, RV (recreational vehicle) parks, campgrounds, junkyard businesses and mobile home parks, among others.

Prior to voting for the approval of the ordinance, commissioners Eldon Edwards, Sandy Carter Herndon and Graylen Blevins voiced their support of the ordinance.

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