Planning Commission Discusses Rezoning, Dressler Updates City Council During Work Session By Ashley Prior Staff Writer   Covington, VA (Dec. 2, 2025) - The City of Covington held their work session, and joint Public Hearing with the Planning Commission on the evening of Tuesday December 2nd. The joint Public Hearing with the Planning Commission to reconsider the rezoning request of Newco Inc. for property located on East Cherry Street in Covington began at 6 p.m. Mr. Tyree (Building Official, Zoning Administrator, Head of Facilities Maintenance) gave a brief background on the area being reconsidered for rezoning. Tom Light spoke on the behalf of Newco Inc. "We are asking for a portion of the property to be rezoned from C3 to M1, and the purpose is, we would like to use these properties for a laydown yard for our materials and parking," stated Mr. Light. The Planning Commission moved to Public Comments where several concerned citizens spoke, and after consideration the Planning Commission approved the rezoning application for Newco Inc. The Covington Work Session began at 6:30 p.m. shortly after a brief intermission. Council voted on several different topics, and Mayor Forbes moved to citizen comments. Mr. Anderson stated his concerns to council. City Manager Alan Dressler updated the council on the holiday lights and investments that have been made on the holiday season. Mr. Dressler spoke fondly of the Christmas Market and Twinkling Trail with 35 vendors as well as the horse and buggy ride. This past Sunday night was the tree lighting and a second graded from Sharon, Ella, was there to light it. “We have a big day planned on Saturday, and if we do get a bit of snow Friday evening that will just add to what we are wanting to do Saturday,” Commented Mr. Dressler. “Google told me not to awful long ago, and I shared this with city council, that the City of Covington was one of nine most beautiful cities in Virginia,” stated Mr. Dressler. “Then googling just the other day, it says that we were recognized as one of the seven best Virginian Communities for a winter getaway,” continued Mr. Dressler. There was also a song written about Covington called “Covington Still Runs Deep,” by Charlie Waddell (who is a local), which can be found on the Alleghany Journal. The meeting adjourned at 7 p.m. The photos will soon be made available on the Alleghany Journal.

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