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.

Maddy Realty Rezoning Request

I. Nature of Request

W. H. Maddy, Maddy Realty, has requested the rezoning of a 21.62 acre parcel from A-1 to R-R to allow for an approximately 13 lot subdivision.

II. Location

The property (Tax Parcel Number: 127-A-23) is located at on the north side of Fairview Church Road (VA Route 699), approximately 100 yards east of the entrance to Lucas Estates, in the Riner Magisterial District. The property borders the Asa Duncan Subdivision (R-3) to the North, agricultural lands on the east, west, and south sides. The agricultural land to the south, across Fairview Church Road is part of AFD-5.

III. Impacts

The introduction of an additional subdivision will increase traffic on both Fairview Church Road and Childress Road, but, given the size of the property and the maximum number of lots likely to be subdivided (13), the increase in traffic should be negligible.

The proposed pipeline, which will bisect the property from the northeast to the southwest, will necessitate additional lot requirements in order to comply with health department requirements for the placement of wells and septic systems. The possible restrictions on the future layout of the subdivision, however, is beyond the scope of this rezoning and any concerns addressed during the subdivision approval process.

IV. Comprehensive Plan

Rural Residential developments are allowed in areas designated as Rural and not either currently served or slated to be served by public water and sewer. The property is currently located in an area designated as Rural in the Comprehensive Plan, and is therefore in compliance.

V. Analysis

The rezoning of the property from A-1 to R-R does not, in and of itself, pose serious questions. Indeed, the rezoning to R-R (Rural Residential) falls well within the guidelines provided both by the Comprehensive Plan and by the 1999 Zoning Ordinance.

The current subdivision proposal, submitted with the rezoning request, indicates a single entrance near the west end of the property. VDOT, however, raised questions concerning the location of the subdivision entrance, specifically, in reference to site distance. It was determined, however, that the placement of the entrance should be resolved at the time the subdivision proposal is submitted to the Planning Department.

In addition, the proposed gas pipeline, slated to bisect the property, will introduce additional problems during the development of the subdivision, most notably in terms of well and septic locations. Again, while not, per se, in the scope of the rezoning request, the potential development problems posed by the construction of the pipeline should be addressed during the subdivision review process.

VI. Staff Recommendation

Staff's preliminary recommendation is to approve the of the 21.62 acre parcel, located on Fairview Church Road, from A-1 to R-R, with the following conditions:

1. The entrance(s) to the subdivision meet all applicable VDOT standards, including site distance requirements;
2. The well and septic system requirements meet all applicable Health Department Standards; and
3. The subdivision plat clearly indicates the location of the utility/pipeline easement.

Staff has received no correspondence from surrounding property owners. However, property owners may be present at the public hearing to express their views concerning this request.