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The amendments would allow, in R-A districts, subject to a
special use permit or special exception, the commercial show
and display of domesticated animals commonly found on
American farms.
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Since July
2004, the Planning Commission considered the possibility of
allowing petting zoos in R-A Districts and the related
standards. On November 20, 2004, Mr. Ali Qureshi formally
applied for a zoning text amendment. Mr. Qureshi’s
application is attached as Exhibit A. As part of his
application, Mr. Qureshi has included suggested Ordinance
language. Should the text amendment pass, Mr. Qureshi
intends to submit an application to have a petting zoo on
his property located at 11471 Kingsford Road, Bealeton.
Accordingly, Mr. Qureshi also has included information about
his subsequent plans.
On January
27, 2005, the Planning Commission held a public hearing.
Only Mr. and Mrs. Qureshi spoke. The Planning Commission
closed the public hearing and took the matter under
advisement. On February 17, 2005, the Planning Commission
voted to amend the proposed Ordinance as shown on Exhibit
B. Rather than allowing stand alone petting zoos on
farm-like settings, the Planning Commission voted to require
petting zoos as accessory uses to agricultural uses. In
addition, the Planning Commission voted to restrict petting
zoos to one animal unit per two acres.
Even with
the adopted amendments, a majority of the Planning
Commission thought that petting zoos were inappropriate. A
motion to recommend favorably the amended text to the Board
of Supervisors failed by a 3 – 2 vote. A motion to
recommend denial of the amended text passed by a 3 – 2 vote.
However, should a petting zoo Ordinance pass, the Planning
Commission has indicated that it wants the amended Ordinance
rather than the Ordinance originally proposed.
The
applicant submitted additional plans for his specific
enterprise and a newspaper clipping. These documents are
also attached.
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