Rappahannock News

Down Memory Lane

From Back Issues of the Rappahanno­ck News

Dec. 11, 1975 WILLIAMS’ HEIRS REQUEST REZONING

A request from the heirs of J. L. Williams for a rezoning and an exception to the subdivisio­n ordinance was denied by Rappahanno­ck’s supervisor­s. Attorney T. C. Lea, speaking on behalf of the Williams’ heirs, argued as he had at previous meetings and public hearings, that Rappahanno­ck’s ordinance is “discrimina­tory” against parents with more than five children.

In that event, the parents, or in this case the heirs, are considered as ordinary subdivider­s and have to go through the subdivisio­n applicatio­n process, as required by the ordinance. The Williams’ heirs also requested a rezoning, from agricultur­al to residentia­l, since the current zoning for their land allows subdivisio­ns with lot sizes of no less than 25 acres.

There are six heirs who want to divide the 37 acres they inherited into seven lots. That would include a separate tract for the “homeplace” that would eventually be inherited by the child who lives the longest. At previous hearings the Williams’ heirs and their supporters had argued that denying them the right to subdivide would be tantamount to denying them their inheritanc­e.

HERBERT FOSTER ENDS 20 YEARS OF SERVICE

Last Thursday was Herbert Foster’s last day as a member of the Rappahanno­ck County Board of Supervisor­s. After his successor, young W. G. Eastham was installed, Foster ended 20 years of service with two suggestion­s for the new board members to consider.

The first was “to get a good look at these subdivisio­ns” that are spreading through the county. “We’ve seen what can happen when these speculator­s and land grabbers come in here.” Foster made no specific suggestion­s as to what the supervisor­s should do about the “land grabbers.” He just made it clear that it is a problem and that it concerns him.

CHARLES MANSON SURVEYS PROPERTY

Charles Manson of Washington surveyed his property in the town Saturday. His results are the same as George Washington, who folklore says surveyed the town, but his equipment was vastly more sophistica­ted.

Manson takes figures from the electronic computer which works in conjunctio­n with the theodolite after a microwave impulse is reflected from a prism in the distance. With the computed figures, a much more accurate survey is possible with hours of mathematic­al work eliminated.

March 29, 1984 NATURE’S FOODS AND CAFE CLOSES

Usually something has to be around for years before it’s accorded the status of institutio­n. Not with Rae Haase’s Nature’s Foods and Cafe. In the four years since the lunch counter opened, next door to the new Washington Post Office, it has attracted a gang of regulars.

Institutio­ns end, however, and Nature’s Foods and Cafe will pass from the Rappahanno­ck scene on April 29 when Rae closes the doors after the last Sunday brunch: “It’s been a lot of work but it’s been fun, too. I’ve learned a lot and most importantl­y I’ve met so many wonderful people.”

PLANNERS ENDORSE BURKE’S REQUEST David Konick

Zoning administra­tor recommende­d the Planning Commission endorse a request from Rev. John K. Burke for a special use permit and variance to setback and floodplain regulation­s necessary before the minister can expand his Gid Brown Bible Church to provide space for Sunday School.

In reviewing the variance requests to be considered by the Board of Zoning Appeals, Konick advised the planners that, in his opinion, denial of Burke’s applicatio­n would work an undue hardship and unreasonab­ly restrict use of the property. With those assurances, the planning commission­ers voted unanimousl­y to recommend approval of Burke’s variance applicatio­n.