Washington County supervisors approve rezoning, airport design funding, waste‑to‑energy study and multiple appointments

The Washington County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 12 approved a slate of development, funding and administrative actions, including a rezoning for a 24‑acre parcel, a contribution to airport infrastructure design and a county share of a regional waste‑to‑energy feasibility study.

Rezoning approved: The board approved a request by Jimmy Stewart on behalf of Clifton Stewart Rentals LLC to rezone approximately 24 acres at 26038 Watauga Road (tax map 107835 and 107835a) from R‑2 (residential general) to A‑1 (agricultural limited). Planner Richardson told the board the property is difficult to develop because of existing utility lines and that the likely purchaser plans to build a single house and use the remainder for grazing; the planning commission recommended approval 7–0. The board voted to grant the rezoning by a recorded voice vote, 7–0.

Airport design funding: Supervisors agreed to fund the county’s half of design costs for western airport infrastructure — gas, water and broadband — by approving a $42,500 transfer from the board contingency fund to cover half of the design contract. County Administrator Barry said the airport authority already approved half the design funding; the county’s contribution drew one abstention because a supervisor’s employer is building a hangar at the airport. The motion carried with six recorded yes votes, zero no votes and one abstention.

Regional waste‑to‑energy feasibility study: The board approved a $6,000 contribution (from contingency) to a $20,000 AECOM feasibility study being shepherded by Smith County and jointly funded by participating localities. Barry said the study will examine tonnage, permitting (DEQ air permits), costs and the potential to tie energy production to the grid. Supervisors asked whether sorting and grid interconnection constraints would be feasible; Barry said those are issues the study will evaluate. Vote: 7–0.

Other votes and appointments: The board approved a Park Authority officers’ pay increase (resolution 2023‑26) raising monthly pay from $110 to $160, and adopted a modernized resolution documenting Washington County’s long‑standing role as fiscal agent for the Virginia Juvenile Community Crime Control Act (resolution 2023‑25). The board appointed Miss Sturgill as alternate to the Bristol Transportation District Regional Improvement Commission and confirmed several board and authority appointments including a reappointment to the Washington County Service Authority and a Park Authority appointment for Lisa Wilson. All of these motions passed by voice vote, 7–0.

Military Remembrance Park MOU: During a discussion about a memorandum of understanding for Military Remembrance Park, resident Robert Wilmer asked the county to delete language that would allow non‑county parties to raise and lower flags on county property and to correct a mailing address for the group's secretary. County staff agreed to revise the sentence about flag handling; the board approved the MOU with the agreed corrections, 7–0.

Closed session and adjournment: The board convened a closed session under Virginia Code §2.2‑3711(A)(3) to discuss acquisition or disposal of county real property and bargaining strategy related to the proposed sale of county‑owned property. After reconvening, the board certified compliance with the Freedom of Information Act and adjourned the meeting.

Votes at a glance: rezoning (approx. 24 acres at 26038 Watauga Road) — approved 7–0; airport design funding ($42,500 from contingency) — approved 6 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain; AECOM waste‑to‑energy study ($6,000 from contingency) — approved 7–0; Park Authority pay adjustment (resolution 2023‑26) — approved 7–0; VJCCCA resolution (2023‑25) — approved 7–0; MOU for Military Remembrance Park (with corrections) — approved 7–0; tax relief amendment to increase relief percentage to 36% — approved 7–0; appointments and reappointments — approved 7–0.