Orange Land Use Update – August 20, 2020

On August 19, 2020, Orange County’s Planning Commission (PC) held a meeting to discuss two items:

1) Preliminary Plat Review – Winterberry Creek/Garrett Street LLC (100+ Housing Subdivision)

  • Tabled until September 3 PC public meeting
  • PC raised numerous concerns/questions regarding the applicant’s four (4) requested zoning ordinance waivers for road standards
  • The county attorney has been tasked to determine the legality of granting waivers for hardships to a developer that purchased property with the sole intent of development.

2) Orange County (RV) Resort LLC Special Use Permit (SU 20-02)

  • PC Recommended Denial to the Board of Supervisors (BOS)
  • County staff and PC stated that the application was unfinished; however, prior to the public hearing and contrary to staff’s recommendation, the applicant requested that the SUP be voted upon during the meeting.
  • PC stated multiple issues with the SUP, including:
    • Non-conforming land uses in the Agricultural Zoning District (e.g., fueling station, retail store (>4,000 square feet));
    • Dangerous traffic conditions; and
    • Lack of clarity related to the sale/lease of RV lots, water/sewer schematics, and environmental mitigation.

Agenda for the August 19 meeting >>

Link to video recording of the meeting >>

Additionally, due to the recent lack of succinct, complete applications for land use business (including the above), the Planning Commission has decided to hold a work session in the near future to discuss the general organizational structure of the Planning Commission, including:

  • Notifying the Planning Commission of zoning ordinance waiver requests;
  • Developing a county-wide complaint system and process, to better manage/inventory community complaints related to specific properties and land uses
  • Requiring public comments include: full name, address, group affiliation (if any), and locality of residency
  • County planning department staff utilizing an incomplete stamp to mark land use applications that are inadequate
  • Establishing deadlines for land use application submittals, in order to prevent last second submittals prior to a public meeting.

At the upcoming meeting on September 3, 2020, the Planning Commission is expected to discuss:

  • Preliminary Plat Review – Winterberry Creek/Garrett Street LLC
  • Mid Atlantic Pyrotechnic Arts Guild (MAPAG) – Fireworks Testing/Manufacturing SUP

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at any time.

Best,

Chris

Chris Hawk
Field Representative – Culpeper, Madison and Orange
The Piedmont Environmental Council
540-347-2334 ext. 7047
chawk@pecva.org


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