BARC Electric Cooperative’s special exception permit to operate a public utility at 1972 Big Spring Drive, where the former Highland Belle school is located, has been amended to allow a scaled-back warehouse to be constructed on the property within four years.
The amendment eliminates a time constraint associated with the SEP, which allowed what was originally intended to be a temporary laydown yard to store materials and equipment for BARC to respond to power outages and to install broadband fiber electric cable.
The amended SEP granted by the Board of Supervisors last Monday, Dec. 15, requires that the warehouse be constructed within four years. When the warehouse is constructed, the laydown yard will be eliminated. BARC has indicated it will take time to raise the capital to invest in the construction of the warehouse, but has said it should be able to build it within three or four years.
Neighbors have complained for years about the unsightliness of materials and equipment associated with industrial activity in an agricultural district. BARC’s most recent plans call for construction of a 150-footby- 80-foot warehouse building that would house the materials and equipment, removing them from public view. BARC initially proposed building a larger structure as well as a lean-to building but scaled back those plans in response to concerns raised by neighbors.
At last week’s public hearing before the supervisors, citizens reiterated their concerns about the SEP being amended repeatedly over the years so that the laydown yard has been allowed to stay in place. Bill Russell complained that “continual use of special exceptions [amounts to] spot zoning.”
When the discussion returned to the supervisors, Dan Lyons suggested the possibility of putting a 25-year time limit on the warehouse. Leslie Ayers responded that BARC would be making a “significant investment” in the warehouse and surely the building would last more than 25 years.
Ayers said BARC has been a good neighbor and that the Highland Belle property is a good location for its Rockbridge County operations. She acknowledged the need to be “sensitive” to the views of neighbors.
David McDaniel expressed support for BARC’s plans and said he believes BARC has “listened to the neighbors.”
McDaniel made a motion to approve the amended SEP as presented. Lyons seconded the motion, which passed 4-0.
