By Becky Killian, Staff Writer

A county resident called for the dissolution of the county’s Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals and a commissioner moved to do just that – only to have the motion fail for lack of a second.

The county resident, Rhonda Greene, spoke to the Washington County Board of Commissioners during its Tuesday, Feb. 4 meeting.

Only two of the three commissioners were present at the meeting. Commissioner Todd Ewen said that Commissioner Phillip Marshall was absent due to illness.

The meeting room at the courthouse was filled with more than 30 people. Those attending included city and county police who have been more visible at county meetings since the contentious issue of a revised comprehensive plan that includes zoning restrictions has sparked one known threat of violence and the arrest of three people.

Reading from a prepared statement, Greene said the two boards are “illegal” because not all members are qualified to serve based on state law.

She asked that the revised Comprehensive Plan, which hasn’t been adopted yet, be used as an “advisory document” so the county qualifies for grants that require a plan to be in place. Also, she asked that the plan be amended to include designated areas for sexually oriented businesses.

Greene said she started an online petition for her cause that has garnered more than 653 signatures and that she is in the process of obtaining a physical petition.

“This is an outcry from the community,” Greene said. “Please don’t ignore it.”

Her comments met with scattered applause from the audience.

Ewen said the boards are legal.

Commissioner Tony Cardwell Jr. made the motion to dissolve the Planning and Zoning Board. Ewen didn’t second that motion, so it failed.