Board of Supervisors: September 19, 2006

September 19, 2006

September 19, 2006

Virginia:

AT A CONTINUED MEETING of the Nelson County Board of Supervisors at 6:30 P. M. in the Board of Supervisors Meeting Room located in the Nelson County Courthouse.

Present:     Harry S. Harris, Chair
       Constance Brennan, Central District Supervisor
       Allen M. Hale, East District Supervisor
       Thomas D. Harvey, North District Supervisor
       Stephen A. Carter, County Administrator
       Fred M. Boger, Planning Director
       Betty M. Fortune, Planning Secretary

Absent:   Thomas H. Bruguiere, Jr., Vice Chair

I.   Call to Order

Mr. Harris, Chair, called the meeting to order at 6:35 P. M. with four members present to establish a quorum. He stated that the purpose of the meeting was to consider zoning and subdivision ordinance amendments and an ordinance amendment of the local license fee for motor vehicles. It was agreed to consider the license fee amendment before zoning amendments.

III.   Consider Amendment of Local License Fee (Motor Vehicle) Ordinance

Mr. Payne, County Attorney, stated that he was asked to draft an ordinance for local license fees for the following purposes: (1) eliminating the necessity for County stickers; (2) increasing the license fee for automobiles, trucks, tractors, etc. from $20.00 to $23.00; (3) increasing the license fee for motorcycles from $8 to $18.00; (4) establishing a fee of $10.00 for antique motor vehicles; (5) combining the annual license fee with personal property tax; (6) coordinating with DMV to assure that personal property tax is paid prior to vehicle registration; (7) providing exemptions for certain vehicles such as volunteer rescue squad and fire company vehicles; and (8) documenting other administrative procedures necessary to implement these procedures.

Mr. Harvey favored keeping the County sticker by providing some type of permanent sticker that would identify County residents at solid waste collection centers, etc. Mr. Hale agreed.

On a motion by Mr. Hale, seconded by Mr. Harvey, Supervisors voted unanimously by roll call (4-0) to continue with the use of a decal, preferably a permanent one.

Mr. Harris added that he would like to see fees kept at current rates and Mr. Harvey agreed. Mr. Carter said the expected increase in fees would amount to approximately $30,000. Mr. Harris said that unless there is a designated use for the increased fees, they should not be increased. Mr. Hale agreed, adding that there will already be a cost saving by these fees being paid along with personal property tax.

Mr. Harris directed the County Attorney to make the appropriate changes in the ordinance and the County Administrator to advertise for public hearing.

II.   Consider Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances

Mr. Boger, Planning Director, began review of proposed ordinance changes that are necessary because of new provisions established in the Code of VA as of July 1, 2006 and decisions recently made by the Board or Circuit Court. The items discussed were:
•   Definitions – Antique motor vehicle, automobile graveyard, Class A and Class B, dwelling, multiple-family apartment, inoperative motor vehicle, intentional community, motor vehicle.
•   Agricultural District – A-1 – Uses permitted by conditional use permit (banquet hall; conference center and vegetative rubbish recycling facility) and cluster housing development. A cluster development would consist of a minimum of 30 acres with overall density no greater than 1 dwelling unit per 2 acres, and a minimum of 40% of the land area reserved for agricultural, forestry, recreation or open space. Streets would be constructed to VDOT standards for residential streets. Lot area without public water and sewer would be 40,000 sq. ft./lot; lot area with either public water or sewer would be 30,000 sq. ft. min. and 40,000 sq. ft. max./lot; and lot area with both public water and sewer would be 10,000 sq. ft. min. and 40,000 sq. ft. max./lot.

   The Board agreed to continue discussion of the issue of constructing streets to     VDOT standards. Mr. Harvey felt the standards would be too restrictive while Mr.    Hale said that good roads are needed for denser development.

   Staff was asked to submit these ordinance amendments to the Planning    Commission for their review, recommendations to the Board, and eventual    public hearing.

IV.   Consider Draft Ordinance – Purchase of Development Rights Program – Discussion postponed until future meeting.

V.   Other Business (As May be Introduced) – None

VI.   Adjournment

On a motion by Mr. Harvey and seconded by Ms. Brennan, Supervisors voted unanimously by roll call (4-0) to continue this meeting on October 3, 2006 at 6:30 in the Board of Supervisors meeting room, County Courthouse, Lovingston.

____________________, Clerk