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BZA backs staff, denies Green Road appeal
BZA backs staff, denies Green Road appealBy Bill Walsh
Times-Democrat Staff Writer
It pays to advertise. Sometimes, apparently, it's illegal to advertise, at least insofar as zoning ordinances are concerned.
On Thursday, The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) ruled 4-1 to affirm the zoning staff's claim that Willard Green was in violation of the code by running a church without the proper permits on his Green Road property in Warrenton.
Green had appealed the zoning administration's ruling, claiming that worship gatherings on his farm are restricted to family and invited friends for which no permits are required.
He does maintain a Web site, however, which, until recently changed, advertised a bevy of services throughout the week as being open to the public.
The Web site, developed by members of his staff, Green said, was erroneous. It has now been amended, and interested people are encouraged to "call for the location" of the announced events, including daily prayer sessions.
The zoning administration's claim against his client is "premature," attorney Daniel Ball said in one of the quieter moments of his often heated exchanges with the appeals board. No one from the general public, he said, has ever attended services at Green's Encouragement Temple.
At the most, 12 to 15 family members and friends have ever gathered for worship at the farm, Ball said. "I suggest to the board that all of us are allowed to meet in fellowship with our friends and family without having to apply for a permit."
In sworn testimony, Green told the board that his private gatherings of family and friends was brought to the attention of zoning officials by Green Road neighbors in retaliation for his support of two controversial projects in or proposed for the neighborhood — Virginia Green Grocer, which received BZA approval to operate in 2007, and the proposed public-safety firing range and fire training facility.
The Green Road "gang," as Ball characterized the neighbors, went after his client for supporting those two projects. The "gang" is, he said, "anti-shooting range, anti-farm, anti-business and anti-Will Green."
Vandals, Ball said, have shot out windshields on Green's vehicles, smashed a trailer and bashed in his mailboxes. "He has been harassed by his neighbors, and now he is being targeted by the county," Ball claimed.
In developing plans to oppose the shooting range, "30, 40, 50 people have been meeting in homes" on Green Road, Ball said, "and they have not been required to get a permit."
Green told the board that he believes "we all have the right to pray and worship our God wherever we want in this country."
Wherever we want...and wherever zoning ordinances allow.
John Meadows, James Van Luven, Sonja R. Addison and Harry R. Russell voted to uphold the zoning office ruling. Max Tufts Jr. voted against. Serf Guerra and Mary North Cooper were present for most of the testimony, but left for other meetings before the vote took place.
Ball said he will review his options for additional appeals on Green's behalf.
In other business before the BZA, the board approved:
• The renewal of a special permit with an amendment to expand the operation of Helping Hands, a massage therapy business in Bealeton. The expansion allows six or fewer employees;
• A setback variance for an existing barn in Bealeton;
• A special-exception permit for an auto-repair garage in Remington.
The board denied a request for a plant nursery/greenhouse with retail sales, in Catlett.
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