By Stephanie Johns
Staff Writer

Morgan County Planning Director Chuck Jarrell shared details of three proposed text amendments to the county’s zoning ordinance with members of the Morgan County Planning Commission during their recent work session.
The first amendment pertains to farmstays and bed and breakfasts (B&B).
During an October meeting of the commission they received a request from a couple, the Woodworths, concerned about the lack of separate language dealing with farmstays. 
Linda Woodworth said during that meeting that being classified as a B&B might require them to follow Health Department regulations as well as Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.
Senior Planner Tara Cooner said she has met with the Woodworths and that they seem to be fine with the language of farmstays that the county is proposing.
The second amendment pertains to pawnshops and thrift stores.
Jarrell noted that in November the county asked Madison to add this amendment to their ordinance and it was pointed out that the county did not have it in their ordinance, either.
This amendment will remedy that.
The third amendment pertains to paved parking exemptions.
Jarrell said one citizen with a seasonal blueberry farm has said it would pose a financial burden to pave a portion of the farm for customer parking.
The amendment would have a less than 5,000-square-foot parking area be exempt from the paving requirement.

Printed in the January 24, 2013 edition.