Bedford Supervisors to get update on Montvale school, purchase two ambulances
Plus: Powhatan Supervisors to get update on transportation solution for congestion on Route 288
In a perfect world, these newsletter come out a full day before the meeting. This time around publication happens just under three hours before a meeting. This is the main reason I’ve called this an experimental newsletter. I spent the weekend writing pieces for Charlottesville
In this edition:
Bedford County Supervisors to get an update on a private organization’s plans to turn a former school in Montvale into a community center and will consider land use applications
Powhatan Supervisors will get an update on water and sewer rates and learn about a plan to utilize “hard surface running” to alleviate peak congestion on Route 288
Three stories under reading material including the fight for one Democratic candidate to get on the ballot despite a filing error
Bedford Supervisors to hold public hearings on glamping resort, Smith Mountain Lake event center
The seven member Board of Supervisors in Bedford County begin their day with a work session at 5 p.m. followed by a regular meeting at 7 p.m. (meeting portal)
The work session will feature two topics.
The first is an update on the former school at Montvale that a private organization wants to turn into a community center. The school on U.S. 460 was built in 1930, converted to an elementary school in the 1960’s, and closed in 1996. The county stopped using the facility in 1999.
The Montvale School Preservation Foundation was formed in 2022 and has raised $12,000 so far toward their effort. They’ve started a Farmer’s Market this year that operates on the first and third Saturday of each month. A work day is held on the second Saturday.
“[The] back wing roof completely patched and is no longer leaking,” reads a slide in the presentation. “Gym has been cleared of debris. Portions of [the] gym roof have been patched but the roof needs to be replaced.”
The Foundation wants assurances that Bedford County won’t demolish the building and will allocate $400,000 for repairs. They also argue that there’s a great deal of potential for placemaking.
“This project is an opportunity to bring in new interests in addition to the ones already in Bedford County,’ reads the presentation. “A central hub would attract entrepreneurs and small businesses which would present growth to Bedford County.”
The second is discussion of potential changes to the short-term ordinance that were approved on June 26 as well as amendments to the county’s rules on septic tank pump-outs. The proposal is to remove occupancy limits for overnight rentals, remove a requirement for yearly inspection, and to require a local point of contact so someone can respond to neighbor complaints.
In the evening session, there are four public hearings:
A landowner seeks a special use permit for a campground on property at 5237 Peaks Road. “The applicant proposes ten (10) glamping tent campsites, nine (9) recreational vehicle (RV) sites, a caretaker suite, bathhouse, camp store, and associated recreational amenities.” The Planning Commission voted 7-0 to recommend approval.
There’s a rezoning and special use permit for Smith Mountain Manor at 4062 Tolers Ferry Road. The rezoning request is from R-1 to Agricultural Rural Preserve District to allow the existing dwelling to be used as an event venue. The permit is for that use. The Planning Commission voted 7-0 to recommend approval.
There’s a request to vacate a portion of existing public right of way on Fisher Drive.
There’s consideration of an ordinance to adjust voting district lines related to the recent annexation of county land by the Town of Bedford.
There will also be a resolution to purchase two ambulances at a cost of $867,128.
Powhatan Supervisors to learn of $39.5M cost to use Route 288’ hard shoulder as travel lane
The five members of the Powhatan Board of Supervisors will meet at 6:30 p.m. (agenda packet)
They’ll start with a presentation from the Virginia Department of Transportation to use the hard shoulder on Route 288 as a travel lane at certain hours of the day. This would have a total cost of $39.5 million.
There are three items under old business.
One is an update on the proposed Eastern Convenience Center and the accompanying extension of Carter Gallier Boulevard. The project has a nearly $7.9 million cost estimate.
Another is a study on water and sewer rates that was deferred from the February 23, 2023 meeting.
There will be a vote on an item for which a public hearing was held on June 26. This is for a request from Residential Utility to Commerce Center to allow for an existing structure to be used as an office building.
There are three public hearings scheduled but one has been deferred.
There’s a request for a property on Anderson Highway to be zoned from Agricultural 10 to Commerce Center to make way for an automotive repair and servicing business.
There’s a request to amend the cash proffers on a previous rezoning on Anderson Highway from $17,186 to $12,462.
The deferred rezoning relates the Powhatan Fair and a request to add an event venue, motorsports, and a farmer’s market. This requires a rezoning from A-10 to CC.
Reading material:
Hanover grassroots group achieves ballot referendum, Lyndon German, Virginia Public Media, July 21, 2023
With major decisions ahead, Lynchburg City Schools' leadership takes facilities scenarios on the road for feedback, Bryson Gordon, Lynchburg News & Advance, July 21, 2023
Trudy Berry says mistake may keep her off ballot, Crystal Vandergrift, Farmville Herald, July 22, 2023