Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Rezoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves rezoning in Amelia Courthouse; denies text change to allow tow lots in B-1
Summary
Supervisors rezoned about 0.3 acres from R-1 to B-1 in the Amelia Courthouse Town Center area but voted to deny a zoning text amendment that would have allowed tow lots in the B-1 district; public commenters raised concerns about visual impacts and vehicle storage duration.
The Amelia County Board of Supervisors approved a rezoning to change approximately 0.3 acres of a 1.5-acre parcel from R-1 (residential) to B-1 (business) in the Amelia Courthouse Town Center area, but later denied a proposed text amendment that would have allowed tow-lot businesses in the B-1 district.
Planning staff told the board the planning commission recommended approval of the rezoning and also recommended that, if the board allowed tow lots, the use should be permitted only by special exception. Staff provided a proposed definition for "tow lot": a use that provides vehicle towing services and temporary storage (30 days or less) for towed vehicles; stored vehicles must be operable, properly tagged, and not dismantled or demolished.
At public comment, resident Martin Conkle said a tow lot on the main route into the village would be counterproductive to recent private investments and described concerns that vehicles involved in investigations can remain on a lot far longer than 30 days. Several supervisors said they are open to businesses but expressed skepticism about enforcement and the visual impact of vehicle storage along the courthouse main street.
The board voted to approve the rezoning (R-1 to B-1) by voice vote. The board then opened a separate public hearing on the proposed zoning text amendment to allow tow lots in B-1. After discussion about enforcement and compatibility with the village main street, Supervisor North moved to deny the text amendment; the chairman called the vote and announced, "Motion carries." The denial leaves the current B-1 uses unchanged; any tow-lot business would require a separate text amendment or different zoning in the future.
Planning staff noted that if the board had approved the text amendment, any tow-lot operator would still have needed to apply for a special-exception permit and comply with any conditions set by the board and planning commission.
The board's actions separate the land-use change for the parcel (rezoning approved) from the ordinance change (tow-lot text amendment denied).
