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Board approves conditional use permit for Aberdeen Creek working waterfront marina
Summary
The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a conditional use permit (CUP) for Aberdeen Aquatics LLC to develop a working‑waterfront marina on a vacant seafood processing site, limiting uses to commercial watermen and attaching conditions for phased development and environmental compliance.
The Gloucester County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a conditional use permit for Aberdeen Aquatics LLC to establish a working‑waterfront marina at the end of Aberdeen Creek Road.
Planning staff presented the application and recommended approval with conditions that limit the site to primarily commercial watermen uses and set phased development and environmental safeguards. The county’s planning officer, Miss Ortiz, told the board the property is 0.94 acres at the end of Aberdeen Creek Road and "the site users will not be a traditional marina. The site users will be mainly, commercial watermen." The planning commission had previously recommended approval.
The nut graf: the board approved the CUP with conditions intended to preserve the residential character of the surrounding single‑family zoning district while allowing a working waterfront use. Conditions restrict accessory activities common to full‑service marinas (for example, restaurants and retail marine supply) and establish a two‑phase approach that allows initial pier repairs and seafood loading while deferring building renovation to phase two.
Key conditions include a two‑phase approval (phase 1 limited to waterfront repairs and pier installation; phase 2 for building renovation and any offices/meeting space), a cap of no more than 34 boat slips and floating piers, the applicant’s responsibility for dredging and maintenance, screening of dumpsters and lighting so as not to trespass onto adjacent properties, and required approvals from the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, Wetlands Board and Chesapeake Bay erosion/stormwater review before final site development.
Ortiz said the site is in a Resource Protection Area (RPA) and redevelopment would require state permits; the applicant provided documentation that fuel tanks previously on the site were removed. The county and applicant agreed to construction hours for work on the site (7 a.m.–5 p.m.) and hours of operation tied to working watermen activity (7 a.m.–7 p.m.) to limit noise impacts.
Board members expressed support. Supervisor Doctor Orth said he thought the proposal produced economic benefit and would revive a vacant site; another supervisor said the project "fits with our comprehensive plan." A resolution approving the CUP was moved, seconded and carried; the meeting record shows all supervisors present voted in favor.
The applicants — Marie Knapp, Ron Sapko and Lawrence Mayer — attended the meeting; staff said a neighbor spoke in support at the planning commission. Final development will proceed after required state and local permits and completion of site‑plan reviews.
Votes at a glance: - Conditional use permit for Aberdeen Aquatics LLC — motion approved unanimously. Recorded voice votes: "Doctor Worth? Yes. Mister Hudson? Yes. Mister Smith? Yes. Mister Krisco? Yes. Mister Bezani? Yes. Mister Nicosha? Yes. Mister Gibson? Yes. Motion carries." (recorded during vote in the meeting transcript.)
