[jimflamesfan]

Hi. Looking for some advice. Here's the situation. Our church wants to purchase a new sign. Currently, we have a small sign that is really just part of a wellhouse about 50 feet or so from the road. It's not really readable.

So, the church basically has the funds together to purchase a new sign, but our church is in a A-1 zoning, and local Halifax County Codes require a setback of 75 feet (this makes it a little more than 75 feet from the road). Placing the sign this far away from the road basically would make a basic church sign with 4" lettering unreadable.

I don't know of any other churches in the area that have a sign this far away, but when I went to the zoning office, they said that the distances were increased 2 years ago. The problem really is our A-1 zoning, if we were zoned B-1, we could have a sign 10 feet from the road.

So I emailed Liberty Counsel and asked if they could help. They basically said this is not a religious liberty issue and therefore not in their mission statement to provide help - but said to just request a variance or rezoning. I emailed back and asked how to do this but have received no response.

Anyone know how a church is supposed to request a variance or rezoning? I don't know if we need to go to a council meeting or what?

Thanks.

[Sly Fox]

I know nothing of Virginia law, but in Texas that would require filing some paperwork at the County Clerk's office if it is county zoning or at the city hall if they have the jurisdiction. Generally there is a reuqired period of time to post the change for locals to protest (which they rarely ever do).