Board approves special-exception permit for 5–12‑child home childcare at 722 Union Run

Lance and Lauren Randolph applied for a special-exception permit to operate a licensed childcare center at 722 Union Run Road in the Buffalo Magisterial District. The Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors approved the permit Aug. 11 with several conditions recommended by the Planning Commission.

The permit authorizes childcare activities in the existing dwelling on the 2.7-acre property, with care for five through 12 children exclusive of the provider’s own children and household children, contingent on meeting state licensing requirements under the Code of Virginia §63.2-1701 and related regulations. The board's packet and the Planning Commission recommendation identify the property as tax map 74-11-2, in the A-2 (agricultural/general uses) zoning district, where licensed childcare centers are allowed by special exception.

Conditions adopted with the permit include: childcare limited to the existing dwelling and property; approval contingent on meeting relevant state and local permitting and licensing (including Virginia Department of Transportation, county building department and the Virginia Department of Education requirements); signage limited to 6 square feet; compliance with county lighting and design requirements; and no parking in VDOT rights-of-way on Union Run and Ross Road.

The applicants said they have prepared the site to pass the licensing visit, including addressing pool fencing and livestock containment; they said the state licensing representative would visit Wednesday if the board approved. Planning Commission held a public hearing July 9 and received no public comment; no members of the public spoke at the board hearing. The board voted to adopt the ordinance approving the special exception.

Speakers quoted in this article are drawn from the meeting record and are listed below.