The Bedford County Board of Supervisors and planning commission approved significant changes to the county's religious assembly zoning ordinance in a joint meeting Wednesday evening.

The amended ordinance allows places of worship as by-right uses in 14 of the county's 17 zoning districts. Religious assembly will require a special-use permit in the other three industrial zoning districts because of potential safety hazards.

"The new ordinance passed and now after more than 25 years religious assembly is again a 'right to use' in Bedford County, Virginia. No more is there a 'special-use permit' required to have a religious assembly," the Rev. Raymond Bell, pastor of the Cowboy Church of Virginia, wrote in an e-mail Thursday.

Wednesday's decision wraps up more than two years of debate between the religious community and planning officials -- a debate that began in the spring of 2006 when county building officials raised concerns about Bell's church meetings held in a Moneta barn.

The barn lacked proper fire exits, plumbing and electrical wiring, and was cited for violating the county's zoning ordinance because the church did not have a required special-use permit. County officials stopped short of shutting down the Cowboy Church, a worship service that targets farmers and horse enthusiasts.

The issue sparked debate over alleged violations of religious freedom and right to assembly, and attracted the attention of the conservative Florida-based Liberty Counsel, as well as the U.S. Justice Department.

Discussion of the proposed changes was minimal and few residents showed up for the public hearing Wednesday. Planning Commissioner Lynn Barnes said the commission approved the changes 5-1 with member Curtis Stephens absent. Stephen Stevick voted against the amendment.

The board of supervisors voted 4-1 in favor of the changes. Montvale District Supervisor Annie Pollard voted against it and Supervisors Gary Lowry and Dale Wheeler were absent.