Commission backs rezoning to expand Beach Ford parking; commissioners add landscaping and sight‑line commitments for VB Trail

The Planning Commission on May 14 recommended approval of a rezoning from O‑2 (office) to B‑2 (business) and an associated use permit to allow Beach Ford (BT Associates LLC) to convert a 0.7‑acre vacant lot and an aging two‑story office building into a secured display and employee parking area for the dealership.

Attorney Chris Pockta and Beach Ford president Tom Barton said the site is currently an underused parcel; the dealership recently completed a large new 55,000‑square‑foot Ford Pro service facility and needs adjacent display and employee parking within 500 yards of its licensed campus. Pockta noted the site will receive new sidewalks, landscaping and additional security measures, and that the applicant intends to coordinate aesthetically with prospective VB Trail routing in the future.

Commissioners asked the applicant to improve the trail‑edge experience and to pull back a fence near the planned site exit to preserve sight lines for trail users. Commissioner Catherine Beiler and several colleagues emphasized that removal of the vacant, deteriorated building improves the corridor and that sidewalks and landscaping proposed would benefit future trail connectivity. Commissioner Byler said she would support approval only for a limited term up to 10 years unless the commission or council adopted a broader vision for the corridor; the majority voted to recommend approval 9–1.

The approval included commitments from the applicant to install sidewalks, upgrade the landscaping along the parcel edge facing South Lynnhaven and to adjust fencing layout to improve sight lines at the exit. Planning staff recommended approval with conditions; the commission added verbal commitments for additional buffering and trail‑edge landscaping.