Prince Edward planners recommend rezoning, approve mini‑storage permit in Rice Village with VDOT review requested

PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY, Va. — The Prince Edward County Planning Commission on Feb. 18 recommended that the Board of Supervisors rezone a 6.82‑acre parcel in the Rice area from A‑1 Agricultural Conservation to C‑1 General Commercial and approved a special‑use permit to allow a mini‑warehouse (self‑storage) project by Anthony and Tracy Ellington.

Robbie Love, county planning staff, told the commission the parcel (Tax Parcel 040‑A‑23) is located on the south side of U.S. Route 460 at its intersection with Pisgah Church Road and that VDOT had completed an entrance review included in the packet. Love also noted the parcel lies within the county's Economic Development enterprise zone and is shown in the county's 2014 comprehensive plan as part of the Rice development area.

The commission's recommendation to rezone (from A‑1 to C‑1) passed on a roll‑call vote with all members present voting yes. The later special‑use permit that would allow the mini‑warehouse development on the newly rezoned site also passed, with conditions addressing buffering, lighting and other development standards; commissioners added a request that staff and VDOT revisit the proposed access design.

Why it matters: The site sits opposite an already permitted commercial parcel and adjoins the High Bridge Trail, a regional recreational corridor. Neighbors said they fear increased noise, lighting and traffic and that a commercial rezoning could accelerate further commercialization of the village of Rice. Commissioners expressed safety concerns about vehicle access from 460 and asked staff to ask the Virginia Department of…