Monterey Town Council Schedules Public Hearing On Sullenberger Rezoning Request

Monterey, VA – The Monterey Town Council has now set its public hearing on Sherry Sullenberger’s rezoning request. The Town Council was supposed to hold its public hearing on the rezoning request April 28 at the joint meeting of the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission and Town Council. However, due to illness and work schedules the Council did not have a quorum at that April meeting and so must hold its own public hearing on the matter.

At the Town Council meeting last Thursday evening, that public hearing was set for Thursday, June 2 at the Council’s next regular meeting. Sherry Sullenberger and Jim Whitelaw will be invited to the meeting to provide property drawings so the council members can see what part of the Sullenberger property actually falls within the town limits. Most of the property up for rezoning is outside the town limits.

The Council held a public hearing on the new Cross Connection Control ordinance for the town water system. There were no public comments on the ordinance and Council voted to accept it as written.

There are still some problems at the new waste water treatment plant. Mack Industries is supposed to come back soon the work on correcting those issues. The problems mainly involve processing large volumes of water that enter the plant after heavy rains.

In other business, the Council approved a motion to send a letter to town residents requesting that they remove any downspout connections to the town sewer system. There are still some issues with stormwater runoff entering the sewer system that the town needs to address. The engineering firm of Mattern and Craig has supplied the town with 5 flow meters to monitor water flows in sewer lines to see which lines receive the most stormwater runoff.

Mayor Janice Warner brought up the matter of the painted quilt designs that are being put on some buildings around the county and town. She commented that they are quite attractive. These decorations are not covered by the town sign ordinance because there are no words. However, if someone used such a design to advertise a business and added words, it would have to comply with the sign ordinance.

Councilman Francis Fenn brought up the matter of the stop sign at Wilson Avenue across from the Rockingham Coop. There was another near accident there last week. Councilman Don Dowdy said that the Virginia Department of Transportation is studying the matter and hopes to provide a response soon.

The next meeting of the Monterey Town Council is scheduled for Thursday, June 2 at 7:30 PM in the Highland Public Library.