Greenbrier Commission approves $360k for Maple Dale Water Tank, postpones talks for updated zoning ordinance

By Matthew Young, RealWV

LEWISBURG, W.Va. – The Greenbrier County Commission, on Tuesday, approved $360,000 in TIF (Tax Incremental Funding) funds for use on the Maple Dale Water Storage Tank project. 

As explained by Commission President Lowell Rose, “That project came about…because of low water pressure at the fire hydrants up (Route) 92.”

“We had to add a water storage tank in that area to boost the pressure up so the water hydrants in that area were actually usable,” Rose continued. “They weren’t for years. They were installed, but they weren’t usable.”

Consideration to approve the City of White Sulphur Springs to issue a “Notice Award” pertaining to the Maple Dale Water Storage Tank project was next before the commission. 

White Sulphur Springs Mayor Thomas Taylor joined the meeting via Zoom to discuss:

“The Maple Dale – what you all just approved on that – this has been an ongoing project, and we’re glad to finally have this out to bid and to move forward on it,” Taylor said. 

Bidding for the project was opened on Jan. 6, and Virginia-based Lantz Construction has been certified as the lowest bidder. Commissioners approved White Sulphur Springs request to provide Lantz Construction with the Notice Award, which will be effective Feb. 3.

The commission then turned its attention to consideration of a report provided by the Greenbrier County Planning Commission, and review of their updated zoning ordinance recommendations. 

Also joining via Zoom to explain was Commission Attorney Britt Ludwig, who said, “Following the hearing conducted by that body (Planning Commission) on Jan. 21, it is the recommendation…for the adoption of the updated Greenbrier County zoning ordinance.”

Ludwig noted that the County Commission’s next steps are to acknowledge receipt of the Planning Commission’s recommendations, and to schedule their own public hearing to consider their adoption. However, Commissioner Woody Hanna moved that any action to schedule a public hearing be postponed, as he has not yet reviewed the recommendations. Commissioners acknowledged receipt of the recommendation, but will now reconsider any scheduling-actions pertaining to the Planning Commission’s recommendations during their Feb. 10 regular meeting. 

In other business, commissioners extended their contract with L.D. Hanna & Son Excavating for the demolition of the county’s dilapidated structures through the end of 2026, and considered two change order requests for current projects. 

The first change order impacts the county’s 911 tower site’s equipment-upgrade project. On-hand to explain was Greenbrier County Emergency Services and Homeland Security Director Don Havens.

“This change order is going to enable us to have a vendor available, 24 hours to call in that situation,” Havens said, referring to a hypothetical technical problem. “They can diagnose the problem, and also this vendor will have – as a result of being on the payroll with Motorola (the company who installed the upgraded equipment) – will have access to Motorola technical support.”

“Secondly, the vendor is also going to do preventative maintenance on all the equipment that we’ve had installed,” Havens added. “At the same time, they’re going to assess the vulnerability of each shelter to lightning strikes.” 

 Ludwig felt that a change order was not appropriate for the work Havens described, as the cost and scope could potentially warrant its own, separate contract. Commissioners also raised pricing concerns for specifics not addressed in the change order. As a result, commissioners chose to table discussion until their Feb. 10 meeting. 

The second change order, being the seventh for the Meadow River Trail project phase three, was explained by Project Manager Matt Ford.

“It’s a no-cost change order,” Ford said. “What we’re doing is accounting for weather days from Dec. 20, 2025 through Jan. 16, 2026. There were 22 days that they could not work due to adverse weather conditions. This increases the substantial completion date from Feb. 25, 2026 to March 19, 2026, but does not increase the contract term, which is still May 30, 2026.”

With no further discussion, commissioners approved the change order. 

The next regular meeting of the Greenbrier County Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 10 a.m.