The Mathews County Planning Commission voted by a 5-1 margin Tuesday night to support a change to the zoning ordinance that would make playgrounds, parks and other recreational facilities conditional instead of by-right uses.

The board of supervisors will have an opportunity to vote on the change when it meets Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the historic courthouse on Court Street.

During discussion of the proposal, commission members were generally in agreement that adjacent property owners should have a say in the location of such proposed facilities in their neighborhoods. “I think it’s a great idea,” commissioner Bill Leary said.

The zoning change was proposed by supervisor Jack White, who acted as a liaison to property owners in Moon who were distraught over the idea that the Middle Peninsula Public Access Authority was contemplating establishing Mathews Heritage Park, a nature and history-based park, in their neighborhood. White also had talks with representatives of th...