I had a teacher many, many years ago, when I was in grade school, who once devoted an entire class period to discussing “the letter of the law” versus “the spirit of the law.”

The basic premise of the lesson was that, often times, people may find it difficult to adhere to a particular rule or guideline exactly as it is written. In that case, what is most important is that whatever a person does is at least done in accordance with the spirit of the rule as it’s written.

It seemed a little odd to me back then, when rules were rules and woe be unto the child whose spirit couldn’t quite be constrained by the law.

But lately, as with so many decades-old grammar school lessons, I’m beginning to understand the “letter versus spirit” debate much better.

In fact, I don’t think you will find a more fitting example of it than the issue that came up before the Board of Supervisors last week.

The Board was asked to decide whether to approve a rezoning request from the developers of a proposed conference center near the intersection of 711 and 288.

The County’s current Comprehensive Plan said no. The Planning Department had said no. The Planning Commission said yes, but only by a vote of 3-2.

It was now up to the Board to decide whether to go on and approve it anyway.

Though they heard from a multitude of people who came out in favor of the project, there were also a few who warned that this was a slippery slope. Approve this, they said, go against the rules, and you might as well throw the whole Comp Plan out of the window.

I have to say, I find it hard to agree with the latter argument. I feel the Supervisors took into consideration the Benusa’s proven track record of running a quality business, as well as the economic benefits of the project, and made the right decision.

I do understand that the approval of the Benusa’s project may have some very real consequences for some of the folks who like 711 just the way it is, and eschew any further development. But a decision had to be made.

Did the Supervisors follow the plan to the letter? No. But that’s why we elect these people. We trust them to consider the fact of the matter and decide if what they are being asked to do is in the best interest of the County.

If it’s an authoritarian, hard line, that’s-the-rule-and-that’s-how-we-do-things kind of mentality we’re going for, then, frankly, I think I’m in the wrong place.

Letter of the law may work in grammar school, but it’s no way to guide a community.