LYNCHBURG — The Metro Council moved briskly through a light agenda Monday night – approving several routine notary bonds requests, advancing several rezoning issues, approving street closings related to Christmas in Lynchburg, and hearing brief updates from Metro Planning Commission Chair Dexter Golden about adding new zoning categories to streamline rezoning requests.
Council members approved a notary public request from Joe Johnson, as well as notary bond requests from Jonathan Nease, Eugene Cartwright, and Paige Gunn without discussion.
Two rezoning requests – 1.68 acres of property along Bagley Hollow Road belonging to Rhonda Groce from agricultural to residential and two acres of property on Chapel Road belonging to Jeff Gattis – were passed unanimously on first reading and will move to a second reading in December. A public hearing to hear comments for or against the rezoning will take place at 6:20 p.m. on Monday, December 15.
Also, two rezoning requests received final approval including 2.95 acres on Preston Ridge Road belonging to Ryan and Leah Dickert from agricultural to residential and a minor division of property along Bull Run Road belonging to Barbara and Johnny Holt from agricultural to residential. There were no public comments for or against the rezoning at the public hearing held prior to the regular meeting. Both were approved unanimously.
The Council also voted 10-2 to approve a $85,500 debt obligation for textbooks for the local school system. Robert Bracewell and Peggy Sue Blackburn voted against the measure. Shane Taylor, Arvis Bobo, Marty Cashion, Amy Cashion, Jimmy Hammond, Greg Guinn, Houston Lindsey, Gerald Burnett, Dexter Golden, and Bradley Dye voted in favor. Sunny Rae Moorehead, John Taylor, and Douglas Carson were absent from the meeting.
The only real discussion of the night centered on the annual Christmas Parade traffic plan. Officials clarified that Short Street between the Harley Davidson shop and Judy’s Leather will close, but traffic can still pass by the post office and exit through the red light. The parade route will also extend farther this year towards the Sheriff’s Office to better manage the growing number of floats. New barriers purchased this year will help keep pedestrians safe while preventing vehicles from entering restricted areas, according to Sheriff Hatfield.
In his report, Metro Planning Commission Chair Dexter Golden shared that the Moore County Resource Center recently distributed 140 food boxes and more than 8,000 pounds of food for local families on November 11. In total, the MCRC has distributed over 45,000 pounds of food so far this year.
Golden also announced the Planning & Zoning Commission is developing new residential categories – R3, R4, and R5 – to better distinguish between duplexes, townhomes, and apartment developments. A draft of the updated zoning definitions is expected next month.
With no public comments and no major new business, the meeting adjourned quickly.
The next Metro Council meeting will take place on Monday, December 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion Building. There will be a rezoning public hearing at 6:20 p.m. before the regular meeting. To be added to the agenda to be heard during the public comment period of this meeting, reach out to Mayor Stewart’s office at 931-759-7076. •
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