Planning Commission approves exception to add access drive onto River Road West after debate over floodplain and notice

The Goochland County Planning Commission voted 5-0 on Feb. 27 to approve an exception that allows an additional access drive onto River Road West for a minor subdivision in District 2.

The request, filed by TREK Properties LLC as an exception under Article 6 (Minor Subdivision), would allow a fourth access point onto River Road West for the parcel identified in staff materials as tax map number 4242020. Ben Ellis, a county planner, told commissioners the parcel is part of a four-lot minor subdivision and is zoned R-3 (Residential General) and A-2 (Agricultural Limited). He said the parcel ‘‘features significant topographical features’’ and that elevation falls roughly 100 feet from the north to the south of the property, with flood-hazard areas at the southern edge.

The county’s major thoroughfare plan and the comprehensive plan were cited in staff remarks as recommending minimized access points on public roads. Ellis said the request is not consistent with the comprehensive plan but presented recommended…