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Planning commission backs Redeemer Presbyterian use permit with added condition on outdoor rubbish
Summary
The commission recommended approval of Millwood Associates LLC's and Redeemer Presbyterian Church's conditional-use requests to allow a small church on Great Neck Road, adding a requirement limiting outdoor rubbish container locations to areas acceptable to city staff.
The Virginia Beach Planning Commission voted 10-0 to recommend approval of conditional-use permits for Millwood Associates LLC and Redeemer Presbyterian Church, allowing redevelopment at a Great Neck Road site to accommodate a small church.
At the hearing, attorney Eddie Bridal summarized the request and introduced Pastor Carlos Rodriguez, who told the commission the congregation typically averages about 85 to 110 people at Sunday services and that parking has been over-engineered on the proposed site. Bridal and staff said the application is consistent with the comprehensive plan for suburban neighborhoods.
Commissioners asked about neighborhood traffic, maintenance of a pond on the property, and outdoor rubbish containers. Commissioner Kemp proposed an explicit condition that any outdoor rubbish containers be restricted to locations acceptable to city staff; the applicant agreed. The applicants also said they would work with the neighboring church on routine maintenance around a pond and that utility easement issues would be resolved as part of site development.
Nut graf: The commission found the application compatible with the comprehensive plan and neighborhood character, added condition number 11 to limit outdoor refuse receptacle locations, and recommended approval by a recorded vote of 10-0. The recommendation now goes to city council for final action.
What the commission approved: staff conditions spelled out in the staff report plus the commissioners'added condition (no. 11) limiting the placement of outdoor rubbish containers to sites approved by city staff.
Who spoke: Pastor Carlos Rodriguez (Redeemer Presbyterian), attorney Eddie Bridal (applicant counsel), and multiple commissioners asked questions about traffic and stormwater management. Several commissioners noted they had walked the site and called the pond an asset.
Details cited at the hearing: the applicant said the original religious-use permit from the 1960s still encumbers parts of the parcel; the site includes a 30-foot Virginia Power easement the applicant said will be reduced as lines are buried when the site is redeveloped. Stormwater and potential future dredging of the pond were described as matters under city stormwater permitting, not resolved by the CUP itself.
Next steps: Staff will forward the commission recommendation and conditions to the city council for final decision.
