Board approves special use permit for Shaw Development contractor storage yard near I‑81

Montgomery County, Va. — The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors voted May 12 to approve a special use permit allowing Shaw Development to operate a contractor storage yard on property accessed via Flanagan Road near Interstate 81.

Planning staff told the board the site is in an Agricultural A‑1 zoning district and contains an existing 18,500‑square‑foot structure and two gravel storage yards; the applicant intends to use the structure and gravel areas to store contractor vehicles, trailers, skid steers and materials, with most materials kept inside the building. Bree, the planning presenter, said the yard would not be open to the public and that hours would typically be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with the planning commission recommending a condition allowing occasional Saturday activity. Bree told the board, "Typical hours of operation should be 7AM to 5PM, Monday through Saturday." VDOT took no exception to the proposal, the site is outside a FEMA flood hazard area, and no additional water or sewer service is required.

The planning commission held a public hearing on April 9; no members of the public attended and the commission recommended approval 8–0 (one commissioner absent). Planning staff summarized recommended conditions: the site shall follow the submitted concept sketch, the yard shall not be open to the public, there shall be no exterior impacts such as noise or debris, no trash or construction waste may be stored outside, any exterior lighting must be dark‑sky friendly, and stored equipment must be operable. The county will review landscaping, screening, parking, signage and erosion‑control compliance as part of any basic site plan submission.

Board action: The supervisors approved the special use permit by roll‑call vote, 7–0.

What happens next: Shaw Development may proceed with a formal site plan consistent with the approved concept and county conditions; staff will inspect compliance with erosion and sediment controls and review any proposed fencing or new exterior lighting under current zoning rules.