Applicant seeks SUP for multiuse event center in Yogaville area; commissioners set 12-event, 150-attendee cap as condition for public hearing

David Waters asked the Buckingham County Planning Commission on Jan. 27 to schedule a public hearing for a special-use permit to construct and operate a multiuse event center and monthly vendors market on two adjoining parcels in the James River magisterial district.

Waters described the proposal as outdoor vendors markets focused on local artisans, farms and food vendors, occasional community events and life celebrations, and seasonal festivals. The request covers two parcels: tax map 40 sec 46, parcel 19 (about 2.192 acres at 76 & 80 The Way) and parcel 20.1 (about 4.85 acres at 71 The Way). Waters told commissioners he envisions mostly daytime, temporary stalls and pop-up tents, with a target of up to 300 cumulative visitors across a market day but that he would accept a lower cap if required.

Commissioners repeatedly raised concerns about parking capacity and traffic flow on “the Way,” a private lane that serves roughly six houses. Commissioner Pete and others said they did not see space on site for the applicant’s initial 300-person figure and asked how many vehicles could be accommodated. Waters estimated about 30 on-site spaces presently and said additional gravel or clearing could create another dozen to 15 spaces; he said the larger 4.85-acre parcel has room for additional development. He also said he had initiated discussions about possible overflow parking across Woodland Church Road with the Yogaville Ashram’s service area, estimating that site could potentially accommodate up to 50–60 vehicles if those property owners cooperated.

Commissioners pressed Waters to obtain a VDOT assessment on driveway access. Waters said VDOT had been delayed by winter weather but expected an inspection “this week.” Commissioners also discussed limits on event frequency and size; after discussion the commission and the applicant agreed to a recommended condition to allow up to 12 vendor events per year, capped at 150 attendees per event (the applicant said that cap would work with his business plan and that he would return to the county for expansion if successful). The commission moved the application forward to a public hearing, conditioned on submission of the VDOT determination; the motion passed 7–1.

At the public hearing the commission will expect a clarified parking plan, a VDOT access determination, a written overflow-parking agreement if one is proposed, and a clearer statement of event frequency and on-site capacity. Waters said the markets would be daytime events, typically on weekends, and that noncommercial private gatherings on the property (for example, family potlucks or birthdays) were separate from the monthly vendor markets.