Board approves rezoning of several West Petersburg lots to Residential Urban amid neighborhood concerns

The Dinwiddie County Board of Supervisors voted 4–1 on March 18 to rezone multiple lots in the West Petersburg neighborhood from Residential Limited (R‑1) to Residential Urban (RU), a change the county says aligns zoning with existing lot patterns and makes infill housing development administratively feasible.

Planning staff explained that many West Petersburg parcels are legally nonconforming under the R‑1 rules because they are far smaller than the 20,000‑square‑foot minimum required by R‑1. The RU district allows smaller lots (minimum 5,000 square feet) and reduced building setbacks; staff and the Planning Commission said RU was created to accommodate infill in older, platted neighborhoods like West Petersburg.

“Under R‑1 you would have to combine eight of these existing lots to create the 20,000 square feet; under RU two lots suffice for an ordinary new home,” Planning staff said when describing how setbacks and building envelopes differ by zoning district.

Applicant Rafael Nunez and agent Wesley Bradshaw described plans to create single‑family homes similar in scale to recently built houses in the area, saying smaller, for‑sale homes would increase homeownership and neighborhood investment. The applicant presented examples of 1,450–1,500 square‑foot houses they cited as comparables.

At public comment, several long‑time West Petersburg residents objected. Cecilia Russell, who said she was born and raised in the neighborhood, urged the board to consider community culture and needs, citing existing problems with flooding, narrow yards, on‑street activity and limited off‑street parking. James Jones, a resident and local developer, said he had previously rehabilitated multiple houses in the neighborhood and supported new investment but asked that developers coordinate with residents.

Supervisor Eberron Bonner cast the lone no vote. Bonner cited concerns heard at a neighborhood meeting about a particular lot’s low, wet topography near an auto body shop, and the need for clearer design and parking commitments from builders.

Planning staff and the applicant noted that any actual development on rezoned lots must still clear administrative reviews — including VDOT driveway permits, building setbacks, septic/well or public‑utility connections and any wetland or floodplain permitting required by state or federal agencies. The board recorded the rezoning as approved; a second, adjacent rezoning case (P‑25‑3) was deferred at the applicant’s request so the owner can provide additional materials and conduct more neighborhood outreach.

Ending

Planning staff said the county will monitor development proposals in West Petersburg and enforce permitting requirements; the applicant will return with any site plans needed for individual lots.