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Planners endorse aquaculture rezoning

The Mathews County Planning Commission on Tuesday night endorsed a rezoning request for a parcel of land owned by an oyster aquaculture business on Gwynn’s Island. 

Kevin and Susan Wade, owners of Island Seafood, are seeking to have an off-water residential lot rezoned to waterfront business in order to have storage and work space for the equipment they use in their business.

The matter will next go the Mathews County Board of Supervisors for approval or denial. Supervisors will meet at 1 p.m. Tuesday.

In a wholly separate matter that will require approval by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, the Wades are seeking to deploy a large number of oyster aquaculture cages in the waters off their shoreline.

During a public hearing last month, neighbors voiced objections to the rezoning on the basis of the impact a business use for the lot would have in a residential area, including increased traffic, decreased property values, and a negative effect on tourism.

During d...

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