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Landowner Plans To Sell Fruit, Hold Agri-tourism Events
A 2.019-acre parcel of land at the northeast corner of Brownsburg was rezoned last week from R-1 (general residential) to A-2 (agricultural and general uses).
Regina Donald, the landowner, sought the rezoning so she can sell fruit from her small orchard and hold agritourism events. She may, in the future, build an accessory structure to support these activities.
At a public hearing, neighboring property owners spoke both for and against the rezoning. At an earlier public hearing before the Planning Commission, the only citizens who spoke supported the rezoning. The Commission voted in favor of recommending the rezoning. Since then, the county has received correspondence from neighbors both supporting and opposing the rezoning.
Several neighbors opposing the rezoning put together a report stipulating reasons for their opposition. In the report, the neighbors stated that they “value the protections provided by the R-1 zoning.” Since the 1970s, the report noted, “the village rose from dilapidated to high quality historic renovations totaling more than a million dollars” that led to Brownsburg achieving national historic designation. The report included photographs of historic homes that have been restored within the village.
Donald read a statement to the supervisors last week defending her plans for her property and addressing concerns of neighbors. Her proposal, she said, “has been thoughtfully created to be a good fit in this rural village which is located in an agriculturally rich location. I ask that you consider this information and approve my request for a rezoning.”
She submitted a proffer that specifically precluded activities that she’d heard might be onerous to neighbors. These included a cottage industry for automobile/truck, drone and/or machinery repair, a kennel, the keeping of pigs and/or hogs, a junk yard/automobile motor vehicle salve yard and a wrecked/abandoned vehicle holding yard.
During last week’s public hearing, Dee Papit, one of the neighbors who presented the report of opposition, said the proffers were “inadequate” to safeguard the historical integrity of the village. She said the proffers don’t state what activities are to be going on that might affect the neighbors.
Other neighbors suggested that Donald’s orchard and planned agri-tourism activities would enhance the village. “What a great cause – keeping Brownsburg alive,” said Amy Moore. She said her children would benefit from learning the techniques Donald uses in growing her fruit.
Cindy Oliver said she doesn’t see “any pitfalls” to the rezoning. “What she’s doing is really wonderful,” said Oliver of Donald. “I would love to be able to buy apples in a community I chose to live in for its rural charm. I one hundred percent embrace what she’s doing.”
Sam Rowe said there could be “far worse alternatives with a residential designation,” such as “another house or a mobile home.” He praised Donald for going through the proper process and being open about her plans.
Jeff Singleton asked the supervisors to deny the rezoning. He said he was disappointed that the proffers didn’t limit what was being proposed to just the orchard activities.
When the discussion returned to the supervisors, David McDaniel noted that the proffers “are completely voluntary” and that he understood why the applicant didn’t want to completely restrict what she can do with her property in the future.
Jay Lewis said he thought Donald had done everything she can do to alleviate the concerns of neighbors, and that he appreciated all she had done. Leslie Ayers pointed out that with the change to agricultural zoning, Donald was giving up the right to build a second house on her 2-acre parcel.
Lewis made a motion to approve the rezoning with the proffers. The motion, seconded by Bob Day, passed unanimously.
