Permit issued to reduce height of Louisa County Confederate flag

Tyler Hammel Mar 6, 2021



A 30- by 50-foot Confederate battle flag flying from a 120-foot-tall pole in Louisa County has been an issue of contention since it was erected in 2018.

ANDREW SHURTLEFF, THE DAILY PROGRESS

The owner of a controversial flagpole bearing a Confederate flag in Louisa County has received a permit to reduce the height of the structure, likely ending a years-long legal battle.

The Confederate battle flag has been an issue of contention since it was erected in 2018. Initially called the Charlottesville I-64 Spirit of Defiance Memorial Battle Flag by the Virginia Flaggers, the flagpole was reportedly built in response to Charlottesville City Council votes to remove two statues of Confederate generals.

The 30- by 50-foot flag flies from a 120-foot-tall pole about 15 miles east of Charlottesville. The flagpole, erected on private property, is momentarily visible to motorists traveling east on Interstate 64.

Not long after the flagpole was erected, Louisa zoning officials contended that the structure was twice as tall as the 60-foot maximum allowed by county ordinance. They ordered that the flagpole either be removed, be reduced in size, or that the property owner obtain a special-use exception from the county Board of Supervisors.

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As of print deadline, the flag still remains atop the 120-foot flagpole.