The Mathews County Planning Commission on Tuesday voted unanimously to delay action on a proposed change to the zoning ordinance that would require conditional use permits for the development of community parks, playgrounds and similar facilities in three districts where they are currently by-right uses. The districts that would be affected by the change are Waterfront Residential (R-1), Off-Water Residential (R-2), and Rural.

The proposed changes are being considered as a possible resolution to a five-year battle between the Friends of Mathews Heritage Park, an organization seeking the right to develop a public park on a Billups Creek parcel that was donated to the Middle Peninsula Public Access Authority, and neighbors who object to the park. However, the change would apply to all properties in the designated districts throughout the county.

A joint public hearing on the matter was held Tuesday by the planning commission and the Mathews County Board of Supervisors. Before the floor...