Ebony is located in southern Brunswick County, VA - en route to Lake Gaston from I-85
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF 1/29/2020 final BOS VotE
Platform Presentation for 1/29/2020 PUBLIC HEARING AND VOTE
Platforn Summary - BOS Public Comment - Final (pdf)
Downloadcompilation of Supporting DOCUMENTATION SUBMITTED TO BOS
Link to binder contents https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1uoBwTuskU8_IUEILAt1dsBfUVrcoV0NC?usp=sharing
Opposition Platform for Case 19-32
Brunswick County Rezoning Case 19-32 seeks to rezone a portion of 8.36 acres (TM #98-10) within an A-1 Agricultural District to B-1 Business, in order for Dollar General to build a store in the heart of the historic community of Ebony, Virginia.. While there may be appropriate places for Dollar General, even in Brunswick County, the Ebony community is simply NOT one.
Our opposition platform for Case 19-32 encompasses these points:
- REZONING PROTOCOL APPROACH SEEMS INVALID: A-1 Agricultural District zoning management uses a Conditional Use Permit approach to consider business development within the A-1 district. The application that was accepted by the Planning Commission reflects spot-zoning the subject property to B-1 in order to accommodate Dollar General requirements which circumvents A-1 zoning management. It seems the two B-1 properties in close proximity (TM #98-9H and TM #98-38) that are being used as justification for this rezoning request were handled incorrectly. They, too, should have been handled via a restricted Conditional Use Permit rather than assigning spot zoning B-1 with an expansive list of inappropriate uses within the A-1 district. One of the two (#98-38) is being rezoned back to A-1 and will be presented at the March Planning Commission meeting.
- DOES NOT FIT: Will completely destroy the character and historic integrity of the heart of Ebony that has been preserved for more that 100 years and protected by A-1 Agricultural District zoning.
- NOT NEEDED: Citizens already have access to our two local stores, two Dollar Generals within 10 miles or less, plus Family Dollar, Food Lion, Ace Hardware, and DrugCo and other resources just 6.5 miles away.
- DOLLAR GENERAL RISKS TO THE COMMUNITY: Research indicates a Dollar General will put our two local businesses at risk and most likely will cause one (if not both) to shut down. Other, appropriate businesses that could be a fit for the community are more likely to stay away. Research also indicates that the full service stores within 6.5 miles away that currently serve our community may well be negatively impacted with the proliferation of so many Dollar stores nearby with cheap prices that chip away at their business. Other articles report increase in crime and littering; nurtures unhealthy communities with limited, poor food choices; lower pricing us based in part by smaller quantity.
- WILL DESTROY EBONY AS THE BELOVED PLACE IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN FOR LOCAL FAMILIES AND VALUED DESTINATION IT HAS BECOME AS A LAKE GASTON COMMUNITY AND FOR THOSE SEEKING UNSPOILED PLACES OFF THE BEATEN PATH : if the Board of Supervisors were to approve this request and we stick a corporate giant in the middle of this preserved, beautiful, rural-agricultural setting, we will have sold out and become "nothing special". Actions like this will negatively impact the County's interest and investment in tourism as a strategic path for economic development.
- TRAFFIC SAFETY ISSUE: the introduction of Dollar General would add significantly more congestion to an intersection that is already known for traffic flow safety issues; also to the south of the proposed entrance to Dollar General the 500 feet clear line-of-sight at 3.5 feet off the ground is not met as required per VDOT requirements.
- OPENS THE DOOR FOR CONTINUED BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT IN AN AREA THAT IS NOT DESIGNATED AS SUCH IN CURRENT OR FUTURE LAND USE MAPS: if the Board of Supervisors were to approve this application, it will make it easy to develop the remainder of the 8.36 acres to Prospect Cemetery. Also if Dollar General decided to move on, the rezoned property could be used for anything on the already-approved B-1 list of uses without a public hearing or notification. This also opens up the farm land across the road for easy commercialization. The result being the creation of a designated business district in Ebony that is not aligned with the current or future land use of the area as specified with the Comprehensive Plan. Both current and future land use maps maintain the area as an A-1 Agricultural District that aligns with Brunswick County's Vision and Strategies.
Our position of opposition is in complete alignment with current Zoning Ordinances in Brunswick County for A-1 Agricultural District Zoning (Article 4) and B-1 Business District Zoning (Article 9). Learn more.
Our position of opposition is in complete alignment with the Board of Supervisors Vision for 2035. This Board of Supervisors vision highlights retaining its "highly valued rural character" and pursuit of "unlimited tourism and recreational opportunities" that capitalize on our natural resources, rural scenic beauty, and quality of life. Learn more.
Our position is also tightly aligned with the four key themes reflected in the Brunswick County Comprehensive Plan 2037. These themes are: Dynamic Economic Growth (the right kind of business in the right place), Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Communities, and Preserved Heritage. Learn more.
WHAT WE HAVE CONFIRMED BY THE FINAL DEMURRER RULING FROM AUGUST 2021 AND OUR LEGAL BASIS THAT WE ARE POSITIONED TO WIN THE APPEAL IF IT PROCEEDS TO TRIAL:
- Our position of opposition is in complete alignment Virginia Code 15.2-2223 and 15.2-2232.
- Our position of opposition is in complete alignment Virginia Code 15.2-2283 and 15.2-2284.
Email: KeepEbonyCountry@gmail.com
Maintained by: Anne (Edwards) Hartley | Current as of 11/16/23
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