An eventful but smooth session for the Warren County Planning Commission

On February 8 at 7:00 pm, the Warren County Planning Commission held its monthly meeting in the Government Center.

During the public presentation segment, Carey Schniering spoke on behalf of the Port of Virginia, referring to “the growing demand for industrial space across the commonwealth” and saying that “the mission of the Port is to foster economic development and job creation across Virginia” and “record growth at the Port is creating that opportunity.” Regions at stake are Warren County, the Northern Valley, the Richmond area, and Hampton Roads. “We would be happy to be a resource for you going forward,” Schniering said.

Under unfinished business, Brian Preder spoke on behalf of applicant Rushmark Rockland Road, LLC. Located at 8561 Winchester Road, Rushmark proposes to build four warehouses as part of a distribution center with a total of 985,730 square feet of warehousing space. Originally, they proposed to develop property with a data center, but the Board denied that as a use as part of a text amendment that was previously submitted to the Board.

Brian Preder spoke on behalf of applicant Rushmark Rockland Road, LLC

Rushmark’s application is three-pronged: a request for rezoning from commercial to industrial, a request for a conditional use permit to build in excess of 50,000 square feet, and a request to alter the Future Land Use Map to reflect the rezoning. Preder predicted a net fiscal benefit to the county of $760,000 to $1.2 million annually for these proposed improvements. He responded to VDOT’s concern about the collector road its analysts consider necessary in conjunction with Rushmark’s proposed improvements, saying that “the applicant does not believe the collector road is warranted in this instance,” given the existing road network. Its analyst predicts that if opened tomorrow, the collector road would only see six to twenty-nine peak-hour trips that might opt to use that road. The subject of monetary contributions and further frontage improvements were also addressed by Preder, who said that Rushmark is willing to negotiate on both counts going into the future. Voting on each request individually, the commission voted unanimously to forward all three requests to the Board with a recommendation for denial on each one.

Under public hearings, seven cases were considered for conditional use permits for short-term tourist rentals. All of them were forwarded to the Board with recommendations for approval.

Some of them took more time than others. In response to the request of Oleksandr Mokrohuz for a permit, neighbor Tracy Ridenour voiced her concern about additional house occupants depleting the water table with constant showering as well as her concerns about trash attracting wild animals and ATVs worsening the roads; to the first two points, Mokrohuz replied that he plans to install bear-proof trash bins, that the guests will not stay more than one day; hence, the water supply will not be threatened, and when asked by a commissioner if he would be willing to install signs about water usage, he said that he would be. A commissioner also suggested a light be installed in the driveway to direct traffic and lessen the likelihood that anyone will mistakenly turn into Ridenour’s driveway.

Oleksandr Mokrohuz requested a permit for short-term tourist rentals. Below, Neighbor Tracy Ridenour voiced her concern about additional house occupants depleting the water table with constant showering as well as her concerns about trash attracting wild animals and ATVs worsening the roads.

The evening ended with a vote to affirm the consent agenda, all items which will be considered at the March Warren County Planning Commission meeting. A brief discussion of commission matters transpired, and then the meeting was adjourned.