The Mathews County Planning Commission, meeting Tuesday night in the historic courthouse, held a public hearing on the zoning ordinance governing special regulations for short-term rentals. The proposed change adds a requirement that owners of short-term rentals obtain a business license before beginning operations. The change was unanimously endorsed by commission members and is expected to be taken up by the Mathews County Board of Supervisors at its Aug. 20 meeting. The only person who spoke during public comment period was Richard Hicks of North, who said that the ordinance is useless if it’s not enforced. “You don’t have any desire to enforce it and the health department doesn’t have any desire to enforce it, so why bother?” he said. Chairman Billy Cook congratulated new planning and zoning director Josh Bartlett and welcomed new part-time planner Ted Costin. Bartlett has stepped up from his position as planner to replace former director Bobby Andrade. No explanation was given for...