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Jefferson County Board Approves Controversial Rezoning Ordinance

The Jefferson County Board held an over three hour meeting on Tuesday night in Jefferson.


A big topic of discussion was the planned event venue on Saucer Drive in Farmington. Neighbors and nearby landowners spoke out against the planned ordinance that would change the land’s distinction to an agricultural. The board was told by the planning committee not to approve the ordinance as it would undermine the board and could lead to a court case that they would not win. One supervisor spoke out in support of the bill, bluntly telling those opposed that they were misconstrued with their anger and that they “would have to deal with it”. The same supervisor said that residents stating they moved to the country to get away from the noise obviously didn’t attend previous meetings where they discussed other big items such as a new highway or a 12,000 gallon water tank.


Another supervisor wanted to make sure proper language was being conveyed, and that reports of misinformation were clarified. It was determined that there was some incorrect information.


Even if the A2 ordinance is approved, the venue leaders would still need to get a conditional use permit from the board. The Comprehensive Plan does encourage entrepreneurship in rural areas. The venue is a smaller venue and wanted to make sure it isn’t classified as a wedding venue but rather a miscellaneous event venue.


The discussion continued, with one supervisor saying that there was a large site in Palmyra that was approved, so why shouldn’t the castle be? Another supervisor said this was completely different as that was an industrial facility initially and was on a county road, with lots of parking, as opposed to a small rural road with limited parking.


Supervisors continued to have concerns of the agricultural aspect of the petition and that they can’t undermine the zoning law. The board took a roll call vote, with yes to approve and no to deny the rezoning. It passed by a 15-14 margin.


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