Planning Commission

Staff Analysis Archive

NOTE: The Staff Reports appear in the order in which they are scheduled to be heard during the Planning Commission Public Hearing. Once the Public Hearing has be held, the Reports will be moved to the archive.

Noah Hale Special Use Permit

I. Nature of Request

Noah Hale is requesting a Special Use Permit for an automotive repair shop within an existing garage on a 22.205 acre tract.

The nature of the repairs is to perform state inspections and other minor automotive repairs. Automotive repair shops are permitted in the A-1 district provided; (a) all work is conducted within a completely enclosed building no larger than 1200 square feet in size, and (b) the shop must be at least 300 feet from any residential zoning district or existing dwelling, other than the owner's dwelling.

II. Location

The subject parcel is located at 3655 North Fork Road in the Mount Tabor Magisterial District. It lies in an area that is served by private wells and septic systems. Agriculture (A-1) is the predominant zoning in the area. The tax parcel number for the subject parcel is 58-A-2A4 (Account ID #023650) (see attached map).

III. Impacts

The impacts of the automotive repair shop can be noticeable if the operation is not controlled through the use of conditions. Typical concerns from neighbors include noise, hours of operation, traffic and the visual appearance of the operation. These concerns have been typically addressed by the County through conditions.

IV. Comprehensive Plan

The property lies in an area designated as Rural in the Comprehensive Plan. The property is currently zoned A-1 and there is no proposed change to the current zoning designation. This request is in conformance with the County's 1990 Comprehensive Plan.

V. Analysis

The applicant is requesting to use the existing garage/apartment (approved as a private garage in June 1998) as a public garage for automotive repairs. The property currently is served by well and septic. The Montgomery County Health Department has indicated in their July 25, 2001 letter (see attached) that Mr. Hale will have to apply for a conditional permit. VDoT has issued a commercial entrance permit for this facility. The closest off-site residential structure is located approximately 600 feet from the garage. The attached conditions will help to ensure that the proposed automotive repair shop is operated and maintained in a manner that is not an adverse impact to the surrounding property owners.

VI. Staff Recommendation

The staff preliminarily recommends granting the Special Use Permit, provided that the following conditions are made part of this approval: