Proposed Campbell County tax exemption to get hearing

By Sarah Watson, Lynchburg News & Advance
Published: February 5, 2008

A Campbell County proposal for a partial real estate tax exemption for commercial property will go before a public hearing sometime this spring. County supervisors unanimously voted to consider an ordinance based on one recently passed in Altavista.

If approved, the ordinance would give property owners a tax break on commercial buildings that are at least 20 years old and have had improvements made on them. The improvements must increase the county’s assessed value and increase the building’s square footage by no more than 15 percent.

The break would keep assessed values stable for five years. The goal is to assist with revitalization efforts and help the county control urban sprawl and blight, said county attorney Kristin Wright.

While the proposal originated in Altavista, which passed a similar ordinance in August, the county’s version would impact the entire county.

The measure will go before a public hearing this spring during the county’s semi-annual code updates.

• Updates to the Campbell County biosolids testing and monitoring ordinance will be shelved until the Department of Environmental Quality has finalized regulatory details. County supervisors unanimously voted to wait. However, if a new land application permit is filed, supervisors will revisit the minor changes currently on the table.

• About 19 acres of land in Rustburg were rezoned from agricultural to residential. Campbell County supervisors voted unanimously to approve the measure. Plans for the land, which is off Mimosa Drive, call for a 10-lot subdivision. No opposition was voiced during Monday’s public hearing.