ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, VA (Rocktown Now) — Some additions could be coming soon to the Rockingham County Fairgrounds.

The Rockingham County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted last night to rezone more than five acres along the road leading into the fairgrounds for general business use.

There’s no word yet on what will open on that parcel. However, Fair Association President Darla Miller told the Board they’re considering options that would align with the Fair in the long term.

“Our goal is for that entrance to give us some flexibility to possibly put in something to help raise more additional funds for the fair,” Miller said. “We’re looking to put in over half million-dollar new livestock barn. And because of this, it wasn’t something that we took likely to do, but the opportunity presented itself.”

Miller added that the Board’s vote will allow the Fairgrounds to align with neighboring businesses along South Valley Pike as VDOT plans to widen Route 11.

Concerns over poultry farms’ water use?

The Rockingham County Board of Supervisors discussed a proposed ordinance change last night that could limit the number of poultry houses being built on a property.

The proposed amendment is based, primarily, on concerns around water consumption. Several poultry farmers spoke in opposition, claiming it would impact their businesses.

District 3 supervisor Rick Chandler said that if water use is the concern, they should consider more than just the county’s poultry farms.

“That would be applicable with beef, chicken or dairy or other types of manufacturing, as far as water use goes,” Chandler said. “I don’t think we can paint it with a broad brush and just say poultry is the biggest user of water, and that may not be the only concern, but that seems to be the driving force.”

The board tabled the item to a later meeting while staff gathers more information, including water consumption across all industries in Rockingham County.