BEDFORD, Va. – Changes are coming to the town of Bedford, and leaders want to change zoning codes to make the town a better place to live, work, and play.
Jim Messier, president of Arthur’s Jewelry in Bedford, has been in business downtown for 32 years and he’s seen change happen.
“Working here in the 70s I’ve seen clothing stores come and go,” Messier said.
Messier feels anything that can bring in new businesses and help the town grow, is a perk for Bedford.
“We’ve seen a really nice upswing in restaurants over the last five years or so,” Messier said.
Mary Zirkle, the director of planning and community development for Bedford says the town leaders are looking to change its zoning coding for future economic development.
Leaders say the current code has not been updated since the 1980′s.
People can view a map on the town’s website that shows changes which include acquiring county land that is now within town limits.
Other potential changes include having family units downtown, as well as a planned mixed-use site, a spot that would include businesses and housing like the harmony development on Route 221.
“This was our first application,” Zirkle said. “This was the harmony development that started in 2012, that’s now building out, Royal Farms is in front in that and they’re looking to build out the rest of that in the rear, but this is the district we proposed that would allow development in the town with a plan.”
Leaders hosted public hearings to make sure residents are aware of what the map could look like once the town council decides to vote on zoning changes.
Town leaders stress that zoning will not change how much you pay in property taxes.
“Zoning will not affect taxes, it is the use of the property that affects how someone is taxed based upon the property assessments,” Zirkle said.
For more information about the zone codes, click here.