Development Rights Program a Key Issue in Bedford Plan
By Justin Faulconer, The News & Advance, Lynchburg, Va.
Jun. 12–BEDFORD — A land preservation issue has drawn a line between the Bedford County Board of Supervisors.
Despite the rift, a new comprehensive plan is expected to pass 4-3 in two weeks. The plan, a document that will guide the county in land-use issues through 2025, has taken years of research and solicited public input to create.
A week ago, the planning commission voted to send it to the board for its recommendation by a majority vote.
Monday night, board members discussed it and found themselves divided over a management of development rights program in the plan’s third chapter.
The program gives localities the option to purchase land and then sell the development rights to that property, ensuring its preservation.
Supervisors Steve Arrington, Roger Cheek and John Sharp said they don’t want the program included in the plan if it means putting tax dollars toward it.
Arrington said he felt it tramples on owners’ rights and could cost the county revenue.
“It’s good in theory but doesn’t work in application,” said Sharp.
He said he would rather see tax dollars go elsewhere than go to a program that interferes with capitalism.
Supervisors Chuck Neudorfer, Andy Dooley, Gary Lowry and Dale Wheeler said they could support letting the proposed portion of the plan stay.
“With a big ‘may’ on it,” said Wheeler.
Wheeler contested it could become a tool for the county to use in cases where it is necessary to preserve land that has cultural or historical significance.
“I look at it like the abortion issue — only in cases when absolutely necessary,” he said.
The county took surveys from the public that asked citizens how they want to spend portions of their tax money. Behind school improvements and emergency services needs, preserving open space ranked third, said Neudorfer.
Sharp said he couldn’t base his vote on surveys that couldn’t be “scientifically valid.”
“When in doubt, don’t,” Arrington said.
The board has some pressure to pass the plan by June 25 because state law requires that comprehensive plans go to the Virginia Department of Transportation for its input on land-use matters.
Neudorfer, the board’s chairman, said a vote is likely on June 25.
—–
To see more of The News & Advance, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.newsadvance.com.
Copyright (c) 2007, The News & Advance, Lynchburg, Va.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.