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Increasingly, staff is witnessing a blurring between simple
offices and contractor offices that store equipment and also
want to locate within C-1 and C-3 districts.
The proposed amendment accommodates such uses by increasing
the number of zoning districts where they are permitted but
limiting them to establishments contained entirely within a
building when the building is compatible with other
structures in the specified commercial districts.
The proposed
amendment also expands the definition of contractor’s
storage yard to include landscaping businesses, pest control
businesses, and other similar businesses as determined by
the Zoning Administrator. This proposed amendment was
initiated by the Planning Commission on April 27, 2006, with
members of the Planning Commission expressing an interest in
the regulation of pest management companies.
In general,
applicators of pesticides must be certified as commercial
applicators. Certification requires passing a test
administered by the State and complete training approved by
the Virginia Pesticide Control Board. Prior to taking the
exam, the applicant must first complete a year as a
registered technician.
A Pesticide Business License
is required for any person or business operating in
Virginia, which, in exchange for compensation, sells,
stores, distributes, mixes, applies, or recommends for use,
pesticides. A separate Pesticide Business License is
required for each business location with insurance showing a
minimum of $100,000 for property damage, $100,000 for
personal injury to or death of one person, and $300,000 per
occurrence.
The Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act provides Federal
control of pesticide distribution, sale, and use. EPA was
given authority under FIFRA not only to study the
consequences of pesticide usage but also to require users
(farmers, utility companies, and others) to register when
purchasing pesticides.
Through later amendments to the law, users also must take
exams for certification as applicators of pesticides. All
pesticides used in the U.S. must be registered (licensed) by
EPA. Registration assures that pesticides will be properly
labeled and that if in accordance with specifications, will
not cause unreasonable harm to the environment.
Labeling requirements include
specific conditions for application, mixture, and storage.
If a pesticide is used in a manner contrary to its labeling,
that use constitutes a violation of FIFRA.
FIFRA also has an array of other
requirements that includes recordkeeping, storage and
handling, applicable to pesticide producers (registrants),
and certified applicators. The intent of these requirements
is to regulate the use and management of pesticides such
that these products do not pose an unreasonable risk to
human health or the environment.
This
proposed text amendment was initiated by the Planning
Commission on April 27, 2006. On May 25, 2006, the Planning
Commission unanimously voted to recommend approval. |