LEWISBURG, W.Va. (WVDN) — More than 50 Greenbrier County residents attended a community meeting hosted by the Greenbrier Land Alliance on Wednesday evening, July 29, at Calvary United Methodist Church. Attendees expressed serious concerns about recent changes to the proposed county zoning ordinance made by the Greenbrier County Commission.
The meeting focused on changes that would expand commercial uses in the Open Space Conservation, Forest Recreation and Residential districts. These districts encompass rural landscapes, agricultural areas, forests and recreational resources that residents believe deserve continued protection from incompatible development.
Community members discussed how expanded commercial uses could increase development pressure, traffic and infrastructure demands while permanently changing the rural character of affected areas. Participants also expressed concern that commercial activities could be introduced near farms, homes, forests and recreational resources such as the Greenbrier River Trail.
“The turnout demonstrates that Greenbrier County residents care deeply about the future of these rural areas,” said Kim Kowalkowski. “Residents are not opposed to appropriate economic development. They want commercial development directed to areas intended and equipped for it, while conservation and recreation districts remain protected.”
The Greenbrier County Planning Commission developed its proposed zoning update through a multi-year planning and public-review process. Following public hearings on the Planning Commission’s recommendation, the County Commission proposed revisions that added commercial uses to the Open Space Conservation, Forest Recreation and Residential districts.
Less than 8 percent of Greenbrier County is subject to zoning. Meeting participants emphasized that maintaining protections within this limited area would not prevent commercial development elsewhere in the county. Instead, they said, it would promote orderly growth while protecting the landscapes, communities and agricultural heritage that contribute to Greenbrier County’s identity and economy.
The Greenbrier Land Alliance is asking the County Commission to:
- Remove the newly added commercial uses from the Open Space Conservation District.
- Remove the newly added commercial uses from the Forest Recreation District.
- Restore the Greenbrier County Planning Commission’s proposed zoning ordinance.
- Ensure that further deliberations and revisions occur through a transparent public process with adequate notice and meaningful opportunities for public participation.
The Alliance encouraged residents to review the proposed ordinance, stay informed and contact the County Commission to submit their views for the public record.
“The message from the meeting was clear,” Robert Gronan said. “Protecting Greenbrier County’s rural character is compatible with responsible economic development. Once these landscapes are transformed, they cannot easily be restored.”
Additional information about the zoning proposals and opportunities for public participation is available at www.greenbrierlandalliance.org.
About the Greenbrier Land Alliance
The Greenbrier Land Alliance is a community organization dedicated to protecting Greenbrier County’s rural character, agricultural heritage, open landscapes and recreational resources while supporting appropriate development and a transparent public planning process.
