The Mathews County Planning Commission voted unanimously following a joint public hearing Tuesday night to recommend that the board of supervisors approve zoning text amendments to create a Village Mixed Use District in downtown Mathews and to modify definitions in the zoning ordinance that would be applicable to the new district.

The commission also voted to recommend approval of a request for a conditional use permit to establish a recreation and amusement business in part of the building that houses Hallieford Post Office.

Although there were quite a few residents present during the joint supervisor/planning commission public hearing on the Village Mixed Use District, no one spoke in favor of or against the proposal. The district, as described by planning director John Shaw, would reflect the current uses in downtown Mathews while expanding the permitted commercial uses and adding compatible residential uses such as senior housing apartments and townhouses without the need for a conditional use permit. It also moves some uses, such as auto sales and auto repair, from "by-right" to conditional uses.

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