Highland Supervisors Approve Rezoning Request In Monterey

Monterey, VA – Sherry Sullenberger’s planned grocery store development in Monterey cleared another hurdle in the permitting process Tuesday evening at the Highland Board of Supervisors meeting. Supervisor David Blanchard discusses his concerns about the rezoning of her property.

“I’ve given it quite a bit of thought” he says. “I’d originally proposed different zoning to accommodate the grocery store model, but what I found was that that zoning was going to be so restrictive to things such as a barber shop or a beauty parlor; and my opinion what our current B2 [zoning] for in town might not be the best solution, but it’s the best solution to accommodate businesses without every business going through a conditional use. I will make a motion under good zoning practice that we accept the recommendation from the Planning Commission and approve the rezoning.”

The Board members present, David Blanchard and Jerry Rexrode, approved rezoning Ms. Sullenberger’s property from R5 to B2.

In other business, Dr. John Downey, President of Blue Ridge Community College, addressed the Board.

“I do like to come out every year and thank you for your support of Blue Ridge Community College” he says. “The support you provide for the site work around the campus and also the support you provide to local funds makes a difference and we think that it has a great impact on the citizens of Highland County by providing you with some data about the number of students from Highland County who come to Blue Ridge Community College. You can see that we continue to get about 25% of your local graduating class; about five students.”

Dr. Downey goes on to report more data on county residents making use of the programs offered at the college.

“Seventeen residents benefitted through enrollment in our credit courses in the fall of 2010” he says. “In addition, another three students enrolled in nine credit courses. We’re emphasizing the nine credit courses, now a workforce development type courses where students can come and get training in local business and industry in a nine credit environment and succeed in that way. And then four graduates last year from our programs from Highland County received an Associate’s Degree or other graduate award.”

Dr. Downey also gave the Board a report on his meeting Tuesday with new School Superintendent Dr. William Crawford.

“I met with Dr. Crawford and asked him if there’s ways we can partner and help with some challenges you have in the school system, so we’re open to any possibilities” says Dr. Downey. “You see that we haven’t done dual enrollment the last couple of years. We’ve done it previously and we’ve also worked with Dabney Lancaster and other community colleges to allow them to come into Highland County. We also thing there might be some sort of service we can provide through distance learning; maybe opening up northern Virginia community colleges distance learning offerings to your juniors and seniors, and so we’ll look into that as well.”

In other business, Supervisor Rexrode reported that construction has begun on the temporary pool access road from Route 220. Tree limbs have been cleared and the first stage of road grading has been completed. The road will probably not be ready for the pool’s opening day which is this coming Sunday, June 12, but it should be ready for use by the following week.