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Board approves temporary driving‑range permit for Washington and Lee with limits and VDOT oversight
Summary
The board approved a special‑exception permit allowing Washington and Lee University to construct a temporary driving range and practice green at Pineal Farm for university men's and women's golf teams and supervised PE classes, subject to VDOT and stormwater approvals.
The Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors on June 23 approved a special‑exception permit for Washington and Lee University to build a temporary driving range and practice green at Pineal Farm, conditioned on schematics and state approvals.
Planning staff read planning commission recommendations including schematic compliance, a prohibition on outdoor lighting for the driving range, limited vegetation removal (only where necessary for access and for a ball retriever at the west side), a requirement that site modifications be reverted at the end of the special‑exception period (excluding limited vegetation removal), and limiting use to Washington and Lee men’s and women’s golf teams. During the meeting the applicant asked the board to add supervised PE golf classes to permitted uses; Steve McAllister, vice president for finance at Washington and Lee, said the PE classes would be conducted under instructor supervision and the university would use campus simulators in addition to the driving range.
Board members asked staff to clarify the wording of conditions about vegetation removal and the reversion requirement; staff confirmed modest, limited removal would be allowed for access and equipment. The board unanimously approved the permit and the requested amendment to allow PE classes when supervised by an instructor. The permit’s validity was set to expire on Oct. 31, 2028, and approval was contingent on Virginia Department of Transportation erosion, sediment and stormwater approvals and other applicable state and federal regulations.
Ending: Planning staff will finalize the permit language consistent with the board’s action; the university must secure VDOT and stormwater approvals before construction.
