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Northumberland supervisors approve conditional-use permit for Burgess childcare center
Summary
The Board of Supervisors voted to grant a conditional-use permit for a proposed childcare center at 740 Jesse DuPont Memorial Highway after a public hearing with extensive community support and conditions tied to state licensing and building code compliance.
The Northumberland County Board of Supervisors on April 2025 approved a conditional-use permit allowing Crystal Cove Housing LLC and applicant Carolyn Crockett to operate a childcare facility at 740 Jesse DuPont Memorial Highway in Burgess.
The permit drew broad public support at a public hearing, including testimony from the applicant and local residents and clergy. The board approved the permit with conditions requiring all appropriate permits and licenses from state regulators and compliance with the Virginia statewide building code.
The applicant, Carolyn Crockett, told the board she plans to start small and expand as demand grows. "I will start off with a minimum of 12" children and staff ratios and training will follow state Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Development requirements, she said. Crockett described professional credentials and experience she said qualify her to run the center, including nursing and mental-health training and Red Cross instructor certifications.
Supporters at the hearing said the county lacks childcare capacity and emphasized the role an early-childhood program can play in preparing children for school and supporting parents who work locally. Reverend Linwood Blizzard and other residents told supervisors that local families routinely struggle to find infant and toddler care and that a licensed local center would help retain workers and ease pressure on families.
Planning staff recommended approval and set conditions the board adopted: required state permits and licenses (including the Virginia Department of Education division referenced in the application), compliance with the Virginia statewide building code, downward-directed non‑glare exterior lighting, and sign compliance with county regulations. The board also specified that failure to meet the conditions could subject the permit to revocation.
Supervisors who spoke during the vote praised the applicant's qualifications and the level of community support. The motion passed by voice vote with all supervisors present indicating "aye."
