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Old MacSpotsy had a goat: John Mullins
After reading recent letters to the editor and articles in The Free Lance-Star, one would think that John Mullins had invented growth in Spotsylvania. One article went as far as to say that the supervisors had rezoned Mr. Mullins' 55 acres, known as Mullins Farm, as a favor by a lame-duck board.
First, Mr. Mullins is not responsible for the unrealistic growth approved by past and present boards. Second, the board of supervisors hasn't done any rezoning for Mr. Mullins as a "favor."
No one should have to go through what the Mullins' family has with regard to property they own and wish to sell. One letter-writer even went as far to say that since Mr. Mullins had made so much money (on the sale of property not related to the zoning issue) he should be gracious about giving back to the community. This is a cheap shot and implies that the Mullins family has not already given quite a bit back to the community.
It does not matter if Mr. Mullins is worth $1 or $1 million plus. What he does with his hard-earned money is his business and he does not have to be made a scapegoat because of previous poor choices by the board of supervisors.
If the Mullins Farm was rezoned to allow county hook-up, then it should remain so. The problem with overgrowth won't be solved by changing the 55 acres in question. A responsible board can choose to make appropriate zoning decisions and recommendations on further requests.
Frances Gyomory
Spotsylvania
Kudos to Spotsy's zone defense regarding Mullins land
August 14, 2004 1:08 am
Congratulations to the Spotsylvania Board of Supervisors on its decision to hold a public hearing Aug. 10 to consider an amendment to remove the Mullins Farm and other parcels from the Primary Settlement District, which defines an area slated for more growth in the county's Comprehensive Plan.
The historical significance of the State Route 3 west area was documented years ago and continues to be reaffirmed in more recent congressional studies citing the farm as "core battlefield land" that lies within the Chancellorsville Battlefield Historic District.
Going back to the Dec. 14, 1999, Spotsylvania supervisors meeting, Courtland District Supervisor Jerry Logan was the lone voice to vote against rezoning this land from rural to commercial. He stated that supporting the rezoning would be "a turning point in county historyIt's sad that we have come to this point" ["Historic farmland rezoned," Dec. 15, 1999].
Rather than recognize the historical significance of the area as citizens requested with a Local Historic Overlay District to avoid similar mistakes made at Salem Church, the supervisors approved a more lenient Highway Corridor Overlay District. They also redefined Five Mile Fork and moved it farther west in an attempt to allow commercial development to move toward the proposed Outer Connector, which is no longer in transportation plans.
The removal of the farm from the PSD will not change the current zoning. We have to protect special places in the county now before their natural setting is lost. We must continue to improve our preservation land-use strategy for county residents and visitors.
If not now, when?
Caroline R. Hayden
Spotsylvania
First, Mr. Mullins is not responsible for the unrealistic growth approved by past and present boards. Second, the board of supervisors hasn't done any rezoning for Mr. Mullins as a "favor."
No one should have to go through what the Mullins' family has with regard to property they own and wish to sell. One letter-writer even went as far to say that since Mr. Mullins had made so much money (on the sale of property not related to the zoning issue) he should be gracious about giving back to the community. This is a cheap shot and implies that the Mullins family has not already given quite a bit back to the community.
It does not matter if Mr. Mullins is worth $1 or $1 million plus. What he does with his hard-earned money is his business and he does not have to be made a scapegoat because of previous poor choices by the board of supervisors.
If the Mullins Farm was rezoned to allow county hook-up, then it should remain so. The problem with overgrowth won't be solved by changing the 55 acres in question. A responsible board can choose to make appropriate zoning decisions and recommendations on further requests.
Frances Gyomory
Spotsylvania
Kudos to Spotsy's zone defense regarding Mullins land
August 14, 2004 1:08 am
The historical significance of the State Route 3 west area was documented years ago and continues to be reaffirmed in more recent congressional studies citing the farm as "core battlefield land" that lies within the Chancellorsville Battlefield Historic District.
Going back to the Dec. 14, 1999, Spotsylvania supervisors meeting, Courtland District Supervisor Jerry Logan was the lone voice to vote against rezoning this land from rural to commercial. He stated that supporting the rezoning would be "a turning point in county historyIt's sad that we have come to this point" ["Historic farmland rezoned," Dec. 15, 1999].
Rather than recognize the historical significance of the area as citizens requested with a Local Historic Overlay District to avoid similar mistakes made at Salem Church, the supervisors approved a more lenient Highway Corridor Overlay District. They also redefined Five Mile Fork and moved it farther west in an attempt to allow commercial development to move toward the proposed Outer Connector, which is no longer in transportation plans.
The removal of the farm from the PSD will not change the current zoning. We have to protect special places in the county now before their natural setting is lost. We must continue to improve our preservation land-use strategy for county residents and visitors.
If not now, when?
Caroline R. Hayden
Spotsylvania