Highland Supervisors Moving Closer To Decision On Meck Conditional Permit

Monterey, VA – Yet another full house greeted the Highland County Board of Supervisors at their meeting this week. The rezoning and conditional use permit for Jacob and Malinda Meck for a recycling, waste disposal and port-a-john business at the Hooke Brothers Lumber Company site in Mill Gap continues to attract great interest among county residents. During the public comment period Beth Armstrong and Luanne Scott again voiced concerns about the Meck’s businesses and possible problems with waste containment and contamination of the stream on the site. Dan Foster also expressed concerns about the regulation of these businesses to prevent environmental damage. In addition, Rick Webb, had a request for the Supervisors.

“I would like to request additional time to review and comment on the application for conditional use permit,” says Webb. “It is clear that not all the information needed for an informed decision was available at the time of the public hearing, and it is also clear that not enough information is available even now. I am concerned about this particular project; my larger concern is the precedent that will be established for approval of a commercial activities that have the potential to harm the environment, the quality of life and property values in Highland County.”

“At this point we don’t have a clear understanding of the types of materials and activities that this business will involve, and we don’t have a clear understanding of the permits and approvals that would be required.”

Following the public comments, County Administrator Roberta Lambert read the list of conditions proposed by the Supervisors to be included in the Meck’s conditional use permit, including septic storage and handling, porta potty storage, and automobile recycling. Next, County Attorney Melissa Dowd noted that the Board has the authority to stipulate any additional requirements in the conditional use permit that are necessary to protect the public interest. She goes on to make a recommendation to the Board.

“I think it makes sense to do a final version of the conditional use permit incorporating the conversation here tonight and then you could adopt that next week,” she says.

Mr. Meck responded that he was agreeable to the conditions requested by the Board. A revised list of conditions including best management practices will be prepared and presented to Mr. Meck before the Supervisors meeting on Wednesday, February 15. Presumably a final vote on the Meck’s conditional use permit will be taken at that meeting.

Stay tuned to Allegheny Mountain Radio next week for more news from the Highland Supervisor’s meeting.

Story By

Heather Niday

Heather is our Program Director and Traffic Manager. She started with Allegheny Mountain Radio as a volunteer deejay. She then joined the AMR staff in February of 2007. Heather grew up in the Richmond, Virginia, area and now lives in Arbovale, West Virginia with her husband Chuck. Heather is a wonderful flute player, and choir director for Arbovale UMC. You can hear Heather along with Chuck on Tuesday nights from 6 to 8pm as they host two hours of jazz on Something Different.

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