Augusta County: "Small area plan" spins out of comp plan

First there was the comprehensive plan, an overview of Augusta County that identified rural spaces vs urban development areas such as Fishersville, Stuarts Draft, and Weyers Cave.

When the megasite controversy erupted in 2006 over Toyota's desire to locate and build a factory in Weyers Cave, farmers and politicians protested the proposed business even though the location was designated as a growth and development area in the county's comp plan. Public disapproval from a small but vocal group drove away Toyota ... regardless of the comp plan.

Now we have the "small area" plan which sounds as if it will be micromanaging the comp plan -- a 10-member committee of local residents that will work with the Board of Supevisors and administrators in planning the future of specific areas of the county.

At last night's Board of Supervisors meeting a "small area" committee of 10 was appointed by Supervisors Wendell Coleman, Jim Bailey, and David Beyeler to study Fishersville with plans to include workshops, public hearings, hiring a transportation consultant, and more. Bob Stuart at the Waynesboro News Virginian has complete details.