The benefits of zoning

Dear Editor:

The Morgan County Commissioners will vote on August 5 whether to place the proposed zoning ordinance on the ballot this November. I certainly hope that the voters are allowed to vote on this important issue. I plan to vote in favor of zoning.

The benefits of this ordinance are many. It will protect the rural nature of our county. It will protect our property values. It will protect our environment. It will protect our rivers. It will protect us from having an ATV racetrack put next door to a residential area. It will protect the right of farmers to farm anywhere in the county. It will protect us from having huge ugly double-stacked billboards on our rural roadways.

If, in the long term, it leads to impact fees, it will protect us from large tax increases to pay for the services that the new residents will require and that are not covered by their property taxes.

It will not take away our freedom. It will not require us to cut our grass every week. It will not require us to paint our houses a certain color. It will not prevent us from hanging our laundry out to dry on a clothesline. It will not prevent us from working on our cars in the driveway. It will not prevent us from selling our property to anyone we choose.

The zoning ordinance will make Morgan County a better place to live. Study the ordinance and I think you will agree. Please vote yes on zoning in November.

Gary Brock
Great Cacapon