Davis Residents Reject Land Use Restrictions
Plus, a Corridor H update, big turnout expected for bike festival, and appraisal sought for old Shop ‘N Save property
Davis residents voted 115-80 Saturday to reject a proposed zoning ordinance that would have imposed new restrictions on construction, land use, and business activity within town limits. The ordinance also would have restricted short-term rentals (Airbnbs) in some residential neighborhoods.
Voters who opposed the referendum cited a variety of factors, including mistrust of town officials. Some said they were annoyed at receiving letters, texts, and robo-calls from the town in recent days urging a “yes” vote. Some said the pressure tactics backfired, pushing undecided voters to vote “no.”
On her way out of the town hall after voting “no,” Jessica Luscombe said she is open to voting in favor of zoning in the future if the town seeks more public input and produces a more flexible version.
“Putting land use restrictions on residents the way they are doing, it is unjust,” Luscombe said. “The idea of zoning, I agree with it to a point.”
Other residents who voted “no” cited similar concerns about the broad scope of the proposed zoning ordinance.
“They’re on the right track,” said Davis resident Dustin Luzier. “I don’t want a factory coming in right next to my house.” However, Luzier added that he thought the process was “rushed,” and he voted against the ordinance.
Davis has 479 registered voters. The unofficial tally Saturday reflected an unusually large turnout for the town.
Mayor Al Tomson, who supported the ordinance and pushed for its adoption, said he didn’t know yet what course he will pursue following the vote.
“I really have to think about it,” Tomson said.
Tomson said he attributed the vote in part to misunderstandings over what the ordinance would do. He added that residents of the town are divided on how they view the the future of the Davis.
Tomson and other supporters of zoning say it is needed to effectively manage the growth that is inevitable as more new residents, second homeowners, and businesses are drawn to the area.
Keith Strausbaugh, president of the Davis Building Commission, said he was expecting a close vote, but “a large turnout seems to tell the story of the sentiment in town.”
He added, “I still think some zoning would be good, but this version didn’t seem to be able to gather a citizenry consensus.”
Disagreements Over Airbnbs
A key provision of the zoning ordinance was a restriction on the number of short-term rentals (Airbnbs) in residential neighborhoods.
Some residents who opposed the ordinance, including Luscombe, said that while the proliferation of Airbnbs is an annoyance, the problem was exaggerated by supporters of the zoning ordinance.
However, Sydney Pringle said she voted in favor of the referendum mainly because she wants restrictions on Airbnbs. “The thought of having random rentals next door is scary,” she said.
Voting problems
Some residents arrived at the town hall Saturday and were frustrated to learn that they weren’t eligible to vote. On her way out of the polling station, Christy Hughes said she was told her voter registration wasn’t update since she moved 2 years ago from just outside the Davis town limits to a home inside the town limits.
Hughes said she understands that the rules have to be followed, but added that town officials should have educated residents ahead of the vote on how to make sure they were eligible to cast a ballot.
“They put a lot of energy into encouraging people to vote ‘yes.’ Maybe they should have spent a little more time telling people what they need to do to vote,” she said.
More About Zoning and Airbnbs
· Airbnb Growth Sparks Fierce Debate as Key Vote Looms in Davis
More News
Canaan Mountain Bike Festival Poised for its Biggest Event Ever
Scores of mountain bikers will soon make their way to Tucker County for the annual Canaan Mountain Biking festival. The event features free guided mountain bike rides and other activities.
If you’re a visitor arriving for the festival, please be kind, patient, and generous with the local workforce. The influx of bikers for this event means long hours and a lot of extra work for the people who keep this community humming.
“We hope everyone has a wonderful time riding trails, making friends, and enjoying all the things our mountain towns have to offer,” said Sue Haywood, president of the Blackwater Bicycle Association. “And of course, we couldn’t do it without all the support from local businesses and volunteers who support this event.”
You can read more about the bike festival and other local events in the Country Roads News summer preview edition:
Corridor H Environmental Impact Statement Under Review
West Virginia highway officials are reviewing a draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement as interest groups continue to pressure state and federal decision-makers on the route for Corridor H between Davis and Parsons.
The two options under consideration are the subject of a fierce, decades-long debate over which route would be best for the area.
Travis Long, director of the Technical Support Division at the West Virginia Division of Highways, said Friday that the draft environmental statement will be sent to the Federal Highway Administration for review this week.
“This review period varies and there is no due date as to when that process will conclude and the public hearing will follow,” Long said.
Additional coverage of Corridor H:
Davis Seeks Appraisal for Purchase of Old Shop ‘N Save Property
Davis officials are seeking a bank appraisal to determine the fair market value of the old Shop ‘N Save building and its adjacent parking lot after some residents expressed concern about the price the town will pay for the property.
Country Roads News reported on May 17 that the town had reached a tentative agreement to pay $1.25 million for the property, although some officials thought that amount was excessive.
The town is aiming to acquire the property primarily to expand parking downtown.
“We still need to gather some information on financing, what the property is worth, stuff like that,” Building Commission President Keith Strausbaugh said at a commission meeting Wednesday.
Building Commission member Cindy Robeson added, “The appraisal is a key component. We need to get it done.”
Michael McClintock, a member of the ownership group seeking to sell the property, attended the meeting but declined to comment on the sale, except to say that “there is some incorrect information floating around.”
Commission members said they will provide additional information at a public meeting this summer before making a decision on whether to purchase the property.
A sale agreement between a municipality and a private party would typically call for both buyer and seller to order an appraisal, and have a simple process for resolving the difference between the two other appraisals, which is sometimes a third appraisal. This avoids the appearance of impropriety and establishes the fair market value. I sold the owner that property just a few years back for $380k. This property also has a new commercial comp of 737 William selling for about $500k. The old SnS parcel is worth nowhere near the $1.25M being bandied about.