April 01, 2021
The Mount Airy Board of Commissioners voted Thursday afternoon to rezone property on Fancy Gap Road to allow the opening of a convenience store that neighbors have opposed.
Board members approved that move from a residential to business classification in a 3-1 vote, with Commissioner Tom Koch absent. The board’s Jon Cawley was the lone dissenter, who Thursday afternoon repeated previous concerns about the small size of the site he believes is inappropriate for a retail outlet.
The parcel that is just 0.18 of an acre is situated in a densely populated area off U.S. 52-North right beside Westwood Drive, which extends from Fancy Gap Road.
April 02, 2021
City officials seem confident in being able to fund major capital items in the next fiscal year such as police cars needed for everyday operations, but beyond that not so much.
Since late 2020, the Mount Airy Board of Commissioners has devoted much attention to a five-year capital improvements package totaling $11.6 million. Capital needs are big-ticket items, generally costing more than $10,000, related to buildings, infrastructure projects and equipment for city government operations, including vehicles.
In addition to that operational category, municipal department heads and the city manager have prepared a separate “visionary list” containing what can be considered enhancements rather that basic necessities.