Planners say they want to research zoning change for LU

By: Alicia Petska | The News & Advance
Published: April 15, 2010

The Lynchburg Planning Commission says it wants to put serious thought into any prospective changes to institutional zoning in the city.

The commission expressed interest Wednesday in holding a series of work sessions with stakeholders and asked city staff to compile detailed information on how other communities handle this issue.

Most commissioners said they felt strongly that this matter will require considerable research and they did not want to make a quick decision.

Private colleges and certain other institutions in the city are required to comply with the conditional-use permit process. Liberty University has expressed deep dissatisfaction with that requirement and asked to be returned to by-right zoning status.

The planning commission said it was willing to study that proposal, but advised LU in the meantime to seek an amendment to its individual permit if it was unhappy with the mandates it contains. Officials felt this would serve as an effective short-term solution while they conducted their review of the larger zoning issues raised.

The planning commission has been asked by City Council to make a recommendation on possible changes to the zoning ordinances that affect institutions. Wednesday marked its first discussion of the matter.

Commissioner Ted Hannon, who is running on the Republican ticket for City Council, advocated taking immediate steps to change LU’s designation. Hannon said he felt that was a simple and reasonable change given that LU, unlike other colleges, is located in a business district with no residential neighbors.

Other commissioners argued it was not a simple decision and said they wanted to have a better understanding of what by-right status would mean for the school, which has been growing at a rapid clip.

The commission discussed this matter for about an hour. It plans to revisit the issue once staff members compile the information it requested. No concrete deadline was set, but staff members said they should have a report ready in the near future.

Also Wednesday, the planning commission initiated the process of amending the zoning ordinance regarding shooting ranges. This was in response to a request from a local business owner who wants to open an indoor range in Wyndhurst. The zoning ordinance does not currently allow for that.

Any amendment to the zoning ordinance regarding this matter will require public hearings and approval from City Council.