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Brownsburg resident Regina D. Donald is seeking to have her 2.091-acre tract of land in the northeast corner of the village rezoned from general residential (R-1) to agricultural and general uses (A-2) so she can engage in business practices related to her small apple orchard.
At the Jan. 10 meeting of the Rockbridge County Planning Commission, Donald said she had a bountiful harvest this past fall that she shared with neighbors. Recipients of the bounty inquired about whether they could purchase additional fruit from the orchard. Donald found out that the R-1 zoning designation prohibits her from selling agricultural products from her property.
So, she decided to seek a rezoning. Her land, on the northeast side of the intersection of Brownsburg Turnpike (Va. 252) and Sterrett Road (Va. 724) is adjacent to the A-2 zoning district to the north and east as well as a portion to the west. To the southwest, across the highway, is the R-1 district in Brownsburg. Donald has an existing orchard of about 45 trees. Her plans include potentially building an accessory structure to support agricultural activities.
“With a small orchard of my size, I could not compete with larger, more commercial orchards with traditional fruit sales, and frankly I have no desire to do so,” Donald told the Commission. “I would like to take part in periodic community educational events, orchard demonstrations and walk-throughs, support local food initiatives and participate in the four annual North Rockbridge Trail events. Rezoning to A-2 would allow me to defray some of the costs involved by selling harvest while participating in these events, obtain a business license which is now required for participation in the North Rockbridge Trail, graft fruit trees for possible resale, while at the same time proudly representing our community as a local grower and educator.”
Several of her neighbors wrote letters of support for the rezoning and spoke in favor of it at a public hearing. “Gina is very passionate about her apples,” said Sam Rowe. Another neighbor called Donald’s plans “wonderful. … I have no objections.”
The Commission voted 3-0 to recommend approval of the rezoning. The issue will likely go before the Board of Supervisors on Feb. 12.
