BZA Minutes 10122023BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
REGULAR MEETING
Thursday, October 12, 2023 - 6:00 PM
Board Meeting Room
39 Bank Street, SE,
Chatham,Virginia 24531
MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Merricks called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
3. MOMENT OF SILENCE
The Board observed a moment of silence.
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Board recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Upon motion of Mr. Craddock, seconded by Mr. Stone, and by a unanimous
vote, the agenda was approved as presented.
RESULT: Approve
MOVER: Joseph Craddock
SECONDER: Hershel Stone
AYES: Carroll Yeaman, Hershel Stone, Joseph Craddock, Ronald Merricks,
Ryland Brumfield
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Upon motion of Mr. Brumfield, seconded by Mr. Yeaman, and by a unanimous
vote, the minutes were approved as presented.
a. September Board Meeting Minutes Approval (Staff Contact: Robin
Vaughan)
a. September Board Meeting Minutes Approval
RESULT: Approve
MOVER: Ryland Brumfield
SECONDER: Carroll Yeaman
AYES: Carroll Yeaman, Hershel Stone, Joseph Craddock, Ronald Merricks,
Ryland Brumfield
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
7. CLOSED SESSION
Motion to enter Closed Session. Mr. Merricks moved the Board to enter Closed
Session; Mr. Yeaman, seconded, by a unanimous vote, the Board entered
Closed Session at 6:20 p.m.
RESULT: Approve
MOVER: Ronald Merricks
SECONDER: Carroll Yeaman
AYES: Carroll Yeaman, Hershel Stone, Joseph Craddock, Ronald Merricks,
Ryland Brumfield
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
8. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION & CLOSED SESSION CERTIFICATION
Chris Dadak asked the Chairman for a roll call vote certifying to the best of
each members knowledge only public business matters lawfully exempted from
open meeting requirements from this Chapter and only such public business
matters as was identified in that motion by the closed.
RESULT: Approved
MOVER: None
SECONDER: None
AYES: Carroll Yeaman, Hershel Stone, Joseph Craddock, Ronald Merricks,
Ryland Brumfield
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
Chris Dadak asked the Chairman for a roll call vote certifying to the best of
each members knowledge only public business matters lawfully exempted from
open meeting requirements from this Chapter and only such public business
matters as was identified in that motion by the closed session motion that the
closed meeting was convened or heard, discussed, or considered in the
meeting by the body. The Board unanimously voted to return to Open Session.
Roll call vote was taken to close the Closed session. The Board Returned to
Open Session at 6:59 p.m.
a. BE IT RESOLVED that at the Pittsylvania County Board of Zoning
Appeals (“Board”) Meeting on October 12, 2023, the Board hereby
certifies by a recorded vote that to the best of each Board
Member’s knowledge only public business matters lawfully
exempted from the Open Meeting requirements of the Virginia
Freedom of Information Act (“Act”) and identified in the Motion
authorizing the Closed Meeting were heard, discussed, or
considered in the Closed Meeting. If any Board Member believes
that there was a departure from the requirements of the Act, he
shall so state prior to the vote indicating the substance of the
departure. The Statement shall be recorded in the Board's Minutes.
(Staff Contact: Robin Vaughan)
a. BE IT RESOLVED that at the Pittsylvania County Board of Zoning Appeals
(“Board”) Meeting on October 12, 2023, the Board hereby certifies by a
recorded vote that to the best of each Board Member’s knowledge only
public business matters lawfully exempted from the Open Meeting
requirements of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (“Act”) and
identified in the Motion authorizing the Closed Meeting were heard,
discussed, or considered in the Closed Meeting. If any Board Member
believes that there was a departure from the requirements of the Act, he
shall so state prior to the vote indicating the substance of the departure.
The Statement shall be recorded in the Board's Minutes.
9. OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business.
10. NEW BUSINESS
Mrs. Ragsdale stated there would be 4 cases for the month of November. She
also stated that there would be a Zoning Ordinance Update meeting in
December.
11. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
There was no Chairman's report.
12. PUBLIC HEARING
Pursuant to Article V, Division 7 of the Pittsylvania County Zoning
Ordinance, we the Board of Zoning Appeals have been empowered to
hear and decide specific applications and appeals in support of said
ordinance. In accomplishing this important task, we are charged with
promoting the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of
Pittsylvania County. We must insure that all our decisions and
recommendations be directed to these goals and that each be
consistent with the environment, the comprehensive plan and in the best
interest of Pittsylvania County, its citizens and its posterity. Anyone here to
speak to the board, other than the applicant, regarding zoning cases will
be limited to (3) three minutes.
PUBLIC HEARING
a. Public Hearing: Case S-23-014 Appalachian Power; Special Use
Permit for a Public Facility, Transmission Line, and a Public Utility
Substation in accordance with Pittsylvania County Code § 35-179,
35-223, 35-268, and 35-281 (Staff Contact: Emily Ragsdale)
a. Public Hearing: Case S-23-014 Appalachian Power; Special Use Permit for
a Public Facility, Transmission Line, and a Public Utility Substation in
accordance with Pittsylvania County Code § 35-179, 35-223, 35-268, and
35-28.
Mr. Merricks read the zoning precepts and opened the public hearing at
6:04 p.m. Mrs. Ragsdale, Director of Community Development, reported
that Appalachian Power had petitioned for a Special Use Permit on
140.67 acres located on State Road 708/Long Circle, US Hwy
58/Martinsville Highway and State Road 952/Blackbird Place, within the
Tunstall Election District, to allow for transmission lines. Daniel Fraser, of
Power Engineers, a representative for AEP, presented a power point slide
show and represented the petition. There was no opposition. Mr. Merricks
closed the public hearing at 6:16 p.m. A motion was made by Mr.
Yeaman, seconded by Mr. Stone that the Special Use Permit be granted.
13. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:03 pm.