Highland Officials Deny Shed Building Business

Highland County officials have voted down a proposed shed building operation, citing traffic concerns and its incompatibility with the pristine beauty of the Blue Grass Valley.

During a May 22^nd joint public hearing, the Highland County Planning Commission voted 3 to 0 for an unfavorable recommendation on the conditional use permit sought by Levi Raber of Blue Grass.

In contrast, the Highland County Board of Supervisors voted 2 to 1 for an unfavorable recommendation, with Supervisor Chairman Harry Sponaugle casting the solo vote of no.

Raber sought the conditional use permit for a shed construction and lumber sales business at his home lot located at 8808 Blue Grass Valley Rd., which is zoned Agricultural. Currently, Raber runs his business, Potomac Structures, out of a rented space in an area zoned Industrial, about five miles from his home.

During the joint public hearing, Raber explained he was seeking to relocate his business to provide a local service for the community. In addition, he said, moving his business to his home lot would be more convenient for him and his customers.

But seven Blue Grass residents, who spoke at the hearing, opposed Raber’s plan, taking a not-in-my-backyard position. Most speakers had good things to say about Raber, describing him as a well-respected member of the Amish community, a good neighbor and a friend as well. Some even urged him to grow his horse business that he currently runs at his farm.

Several speakers expressed concerns about traffic and road conditions on Blue Grass Valley Road. They questioned the safety of having large trucks hauling loads of lumber or large constructed sheds along the road, which they said is narrow, has blind spot curves and drop-off shoulders with ditches.

Heidi Williams, whose family in 1982 purchased property across from Raber’s farm, described the road as very narrow and dangerous.

“I can’t imagine anyone would want to put an industrial business in this location,” Williams said. “I’m concerned of property values declining because of it.”

Jim Hevener, who attended the hearing virtually, argued approval of Raber’s business would be a “negative aesthetic attack” on the pristine beauty of the Blue Grass Valley.

Approval of the conditional use permit would set a dangerous precedent, enticing more and more businesses to build in the valley, Hevener said. “It will be almost impossible for you to say no,” he warned.

Before Sponaugle cast the only no vote, he took time to explain his position.

“From what I’ve been hearing here all evening, if we’re not going to make the Blue Grass Valley or nothing can go on in the Blue Grass Valley, then we need to change our ordinance. We need to change it so that’s the way it is, instead of people like him (Raber) coming in here and asking, wasting his time…If that’s the way everybody feels, we need to make Blue Grass Valley so it (commercial development) can’t be done. So, these people you’re building those big houses for, can have that valley, instead of these hardworking farmers and people that have worked there. That valley was made for, out of farming communities. And, so, I mean, if that’s the way you all are looking at it, well, I hope the Planning Commission will go on ahead and do something to lift that. I do not agree at all, with somebody sitting up there on a hill, telling somebody they can’t have a business down below, where they can see it out on Agriculture land. If they want that kind of thing, they need to be in a residential zone somewhere. And, that’s my thoughts on it,” Sponaugle said.