By Don Richeson

Published: March 28, 2008

Editor:

On April 2, a public hearing will be conducted to allow citizens an opportunity to weigh in on a proposed amendment to alter zoning laws allowing for light industry in residential areas, and changing the definition of home occupation. This amendment would have a significant negative impact on homeowners and families in all residential zones throughout Madison County.

When an enterprise adjoins a residential zone, business yard regulations require 50-feet distance for structures from property lines, industrial yard regulations require 60 feet and residential yard regulations require only 10 feet.

So, the protection provided by the distance required in the business and industrial yard regulations, in most cases, would be greatly decreased if industrial use were allowed in an accessory building in a residential area.  Ten feet is insufficient to lessen the impact of the noise and traffic from the business on its residential neighbors.

Allowing non-resident employees in the neighborhood also brings substantial security risks. A business in a residential area would expose the residents and their families to many strangers.

This will erode cherished privacy, and offer an opportunity for undesirable elements to move freely in the area, unquestioned.

Such industrial use could pose considerable dangers to neighborhood children. In the same manner that a swimming pool is considered to be an “irresistible attraction,” an unguarded industrial yard will entice them as a place to play.

In addition to customer traffic, large delivery trucks entering and exiting a residential driveway increases the hazard of injury, not only for children, but for everyone in the neighborhood.

This creates a huge disadvantage to business and light industry that have complied with the zoning laws, and located in areas designated for such use. Why should someone make the investment in commercial property if his or her business can be established on residential property?
Conversely, why would someone want to make the investment in residential property if a business can be established on adjacent property, lowering their property values and the quality of their lives?

Please urge members of the Madison County Planning Commission and board of supervisors to vote against this ill-advised amendment which will downgrade residential zoning.

Martha Dudley
Clarissa Dudley
Hood