FRANKLIN CO., Va. – Proposed changes to Franklin County zoning laws are drawing concern from residents who say the updates could significantly affect property use and rural lifestyles.
County leaders are in the process of rewriting zoning codes for the first time in nearly 40 years. The proposal includes new regulations on agricultural activities, minimum lot sizes and permitting requirements.
Among the changes, the draft would limit residents to six hens per acre and prohibit using them for commercial purposes such as selling eggs or meat. Beekeeping would also be affected, with a proposed limit of four hives per acre, though commercial use would still be allowed…