[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6115046,"mediaKeyId","2740405-78bfb5f8948c2423723a58fba94600b9","parentId",2740405,"title","Planning commission backs conditional-use permit for childcare center in Burgess","audioSeconds",1261,"startMs",245000,"endMs",1506000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2740405-78bfb5f8948c2423723a58fba94600b9&start=245&end=1506","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2740405-78bfb5f8948c2423723a58fba94600b9/thumbnail_245000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6115046/Northumberland-County/Virginia/Planning-commission-backs-conditional-use-permit-for-childcare-center-in-Burgess","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115046-7c6da973a322c362bc9409b75cd7d6b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178851&Signature=mganBMytGfwESlW8tX0E9H660sfoN5p1cOeRSrS8RVTZbrNSDyqEE9wqZefn~FXBwZjdrWaNqUxRsKT5m0vgM3mPjR0EgwuQIuQ2TrvneBO40l7JF8nihiahDeNAeS7S4VqHV4hqcNrLQU9PBKMIFfQkqKGCl0YJrjKi~8N5814CXM-caFOFpYSLUjPLEafbqAhMZQjzA8TiS1T34APGch~bOg1GySNucqU6smg3NAwu9~q3lKLux6ydmZnBzbeoPm82aL2hYImcBUTTtlNU4TetGok~4cjStuMtobwu1rY9W-MkuIKWxPr0TgwzbnPYQ6~KHmM6g90WuAyRYpuyjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Northumberland County, VA","date","2025-03-21T15:42:09Z","article","Northumberland County planning commissioners voted to recommend approval of a conditional-use permit that would allow a childcare facility at 740 Jesse Pont Memorial Highway in Burgess.

The permit application, filed by Crystal Cove Housing LLC with Carolyn (Doctor) Crockett listed as applicant, would convert space in the former Dr. Beekley office into a childcare center. The Planning Commission approved the recommendation under conditions that require obtaining all applicable state permits and licenses, compliance with the Virginia Statewide Building Code, downward-directed exterior lighting if any is proposed, and other standard health-and-safety provisions; the packet was amended during the meeting to clarify which state agencies must be involved.

Dr. Carolyn Crockett, who identified herself as the applicant and said she has more than eight years’ experience working in local schools as a special‑needs educator, told the commission she plans to start with toddler care and expand into after‑school programs as the business grows. “I have been an educator of the Northumberland public school system for over 8 years … working as a special needs educator,” Crockett said during the public hearing. She said she expects to begin with one or two employees and will follow state staffing ratios as required.

There were no in‑person speakers against the application. Supporters called in during the public comment portion. A caller who identified herself as Dr. Linda and gave a Northumberland County address urged the commission to forward the proposal, saying Crockett is “well suited for this opportunity.” Another speaker, Philip Johnson Haney II, said the county needs more local childcare capacity, especially for special‑needs children.

Commissioners clarified logistics with Crockett and with Mr. Haney, who the applicant said owns the building and will be the landlord. Staff present advised that the Planning Commission recommendation goes to the Board of Supervisors, which must grant the final approval before the applicant may begin construction or operations. The commission also noted county requirements such as a handicap railing at the front entrance and a fenced play area for the outdoor space; Mr. Conaway (county staff) inspected the property and identified those items earlier in the review process.

During the meeting the commission amended the conditions on the record to replace a reference to the Virginia Department of Social Services with the correct agencies: the Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Department of Education, Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Development. After the amendment passed, commissioners voted to forward the recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.

The Board of Supervisors will consider the conditional‑use permit at its next meeting; the Planning Commission’s action was a recommendation only. If the Board of Supervisors approves the permit, the applicant must still secure all required state licenses and building permits before opening.

Votes at a glance

- Conditional‑use permit for childcare at 740 Jesse Pont Memorial Highway (Crystal Cove Housing LLC / Carolyn Crockett): Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions; motion amended to name Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Department of Education, Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Development as agencies for required permits. The recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for final action.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Northumberland Planning Commission - 3/21/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Northumberland County Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a conditional-use permit that would allow a childcare facility at 740 Jesse Pont Memorial Highway in Burgess.","taxTitle","Northumberland County, Virginia","taxId",37847,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6115042,"Planning commission advances edits to comprehensive plan, names commissioner Kost stylistic editor",3718,1582000,5300000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2740405-78bfb5f8948c2423723a58fba94600b9&start=1582&end=5300","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2740405-78bfb5f8948c2423723a58fba94600b9/thumbnail_1582000.jpg","/articles/6115042/Northumberland-County/Virginia/Planning-commission-advances-edits-to-comprehensive-plan-names-commissioner-Kost-stylistic-editor","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115042-227117a7b3d5459263ecd7db97f468a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178851&Signature=CYenH15qhuIfa28FUNMq27qStpFUAx1LUtXjqLlJIV996AFC~XEYwi5fbfE7ktd20krYtlG9p9ytlOYUcLdr7MnjBTciumvqdX23UHeOKtDMLagXeVp-nuvRmKtEvJpcDH2GDnzQa4sjbMw5uUi0RI41YC~G2Y4NJcU7KMOfet-Ka4VJs8PqphoV-9I7~gljNr-5WOjvsb4zRU02PZlEoBUYqeUoUPCOYCB4cjRXvq0evScoowc4Vy87eDZaSXICXYZYIAoInxlkXGcuDnCdEJ3B-VmmPaDNhOFLdT017~wZoPQZkxkT6Iewy9C2suTUTX5J9LI-th4q1w0diLorsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a meeting of the Northumberland County Planning Commission, members spent extensive time reviewing proposed edits to Chapter 5 of the county comprehensive plan and voted to authorize Commissioner John Kost to serve as the document’s stylistic editor.

Commissioners discussed consistency changes across Chapter 5, including standardizing references to state agencies (for example, using \"Virginia Department of Health\" rather than informal or acronym‑inconsistent forms), updating references to Chesapeake Bay Act implementation and the agency structures that now oversee its provisions, and clarifying technical language about water resources and septic systems. Several commissioners emphasized groundwater declines, the county’s participation in the Northern Neck regional water‑supply planning process, and ongoing concerns about failing septic systems.

“...the fundamental flaw I think in this document is that it’s mistitled right from the very beginning. This document is an inventory,” Commissioner John Kost said during the discussion, arguing the draft needed restructuring into a usable plan with clear recommendations rather than a long narrative inventory.

Commissioners and staff reviewed specific items: maintaining a 100‑foot buffer (resource protection area) where appropriate under Chesapeake Bay Act guidance; the difficulty and cost of alternative septic reserve systems (one commission speaker cited an estimated cost of about $20,000 for alternative systems); the five‑year septic pump‑out recommendation under state guidance; and shoreline resources and living‑shoreline recommendations from VIMS (Virginia Institute of Marine Science). Discussion also covered practical recreation infrastructure such as temporary portable restrooms at county boat landings (Shell Landing and Lodge Creek) and the fiscal and operational constraints that make permanent restroom construction costly.

Commissioners agreed to a phased approach: stylistic and editorial restructuring first (remove duplication, move useful appendix material to a preamble or intro, and create a concise executive summary), then categorizing substantive recommendations for committee review. To that end, the commission voted to appoint Commissioner John Kost as the stylistic editor in chief for the planning document and directed him to return a revised draft by the next meeting. Kost said he would provide tracked and clean copies as appropriate and would coordinate with staff on version control.

Staff confirmed that, after Planning Commission approval, the comprehensive plan must be submitted to state agencies (VDOT, VDEQ/Division of Stormwater and other relevant offices) for review before the Board of Supervisors considers final adoption. Commissioners discussed whether the commission should present a clean, professionally formatted copy to state reviewers while retaining internal trackable change histories for transparency.

The commission’s editorial authorization is procedural and does not by itself change policy; substantive policy changes will be identified and highlighted for further vote if and when proposed.

","Commissioners worked through Chapter 5 edits to the county comprehensive plan — clarifying agency names, shoreline and water‑quality language, and septic‑system guidance — and authorized Commissioner John Kost to serve as stylistic editor to restructure and condense the draft for the next meeting.","actionData","errors"]

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Planning commission backs conditional-use permit for childcare center in Burgess

Planning commission advances edits to comprehensive plan, names commissioner Kost stylistic editor