#City & Town Planning
Target:
Decision Makers in Franklin County, Virginia
Region:
United States of America
Website:
www.facebook.com

We are asking for your support of Mike & Sylvia Pagans' request to have the option to rent their property at Smith Mountain Lake for a period of less than 31 days.

Per section 25-179 of the Franklin County code, short-term rental of a dwelling is a permitted use in the A-1 district by approval of a special permit; where bed & breakfasts, lodges, dormitories, assembly halls, and campgrounds are allowed by right.

The Pagans' property is zoned A-1 with almost 8 acres in a private setting. It is not located in a residential subdivision, with no deed restriction or covenant against rental. The surrounding area is rural and wooded. The home sits approximately 1,000 feet from the road, with over 800 feet of water-frontage at a wide part of the Blackwater channel, with no other docks nearby.

Just as we have enjoyed living on this property, we hope others can find similar enjoyment in visiting our home. Approval allows our home to be used by a single-family; just as we, a longer-term renter, or a non-paying guest could. It also provides the flexibility we need to accommodate the market we are most suited to serve, with the added benefit of reserving time for our family.

We are natives of Franklin County and licensed real estate professionals for over 32 years. Mike is also a licensed Appraiser and has served in this capacity for 27 years. We have dedicated the best years of our lives to promoting and welcoming people to this community. It is our job, our family business, our livelihood.

Our goal with this is to help promote our region by opening our home to provide a place for families to experience what we have to offer. The high-end market this property caters will help serve as a natural filter, attracting quality guests. As real estate professionals, we have seen first hand that the majority of people purchasing property, vacationed here first. A common story we hear all the time is “We came for a visit, fell in love with the area, and decided to buy.”

We share the same concerns as anyone in the community. We have a personal stake and interest in safeguarding the property, and protecting the safety of the renting public. Short-term rentals provide tangible benefits to providers, residents, travelers, businesses, and the local community. We see this as an opportunity to utilize our property as a place to help families create memories and have positive experiences, to promote Franklin County.

To do this, we ask for your support.

We, the undersigned, support the Pagans' request to be allowed the option to rent their property at Smith Mountain Lake for less than 31 days.

Approval promotes economic development in our region by creating a community image that is conducive to attracting new residents.

Approval increases tourism, helps to expand the tax base, and supports local business at no expense to taxpayers, with no increase in county services.

Approval provides both the ability and the incentive for the property to be maintained in it’s utmost condition.

The property’s size, location, and separation and screening from adjacent properties are favorable. The proposed conditions, governing regulations in Section 25-138 of the Franklin County Zoning Ordinance, and law enforcement all provide safeguards to address concerns.

We respectfully ask the decision makers in Franklin County to approve Petition # SPEC-03-2017-15579. Thanking you in advance for your support.

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The Approve Franklin County Petition # SPEC-03-2017-15579 petition to Decision Makers in Franklin County, Virginia was written by Michael & Sylvia Pagans and is in the category City & Town Planning at GoPetition.