Loudoun County planning commission approves multiple subdivision plats, site plans and rezones; tables one request

The Loudoun County Regional Planning Commission approved a slate of subdivision plats, commercial site plans and several rezoning requests at its meeting, and tabled one rezoning request for further review.

Commissioners voted to approve a five-lot subdivision for Michael Waller on Martell Road (5.25 acres), three-lot subdivisions for property owners William Kellum and Terry Patton (lot-line adjustments), and a site plan amendment for Roger Boring to add an approximately 709-square-foot commercial building to an existing industrial property. The commission also approved a commercial site plan for a cemetery use submitted by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Knoxville on North Shore Drive.

The commission approved multiple rezones from agricultural district classifications to smaller-lot residential districts, including a rezone from A-1 to A-3 for a property associated with Jonathan Mendoza and a rezone from A-1 to mixed A-2/A-3 for applicants Elizabeth and Tyler Barr. Another A-1-to-A-3 rezone for property linked to Philip Thomas was approved. One rezone request (Corey Cable, A-2 to A-3) was tabled for a future meeting.

Why this matters: The approvals permit new residential lots and small commercial development in several districts, advance a proposed cemetery site plan, and change zoning that affects future permitted uses on the parcels. Several items will return for standard site-plan or permitting steps before construction can begin.

Most important actions: Subdivision and rezoning approvals will enable lot sales, home construction and a small commercial building expansion. The cemetery site plan includes internal roads, parking and burial sections; the applicant said burial plots will be laid out to meet the county rule requiring burial spaces to be at least 25 feet from property lines. For rezones, staff and applicants noted that subsequent site-plan review, drainage/detention requirements and any necessary highway-department access permits remain outstanding steps.

Commission and public process: Most motions passed after a motion and second with commissioners indicating assent by saying "aye." One rezoning request (Corey Cable) was tabled at the applicant's request and will be heard at a later meeting. The commission’s actions are recommendations that in some cases will move to the county commission or return for site-plan-level review; the transcript shows commissioners frequently reminding applicants that final permitting (for access, drainage and other technical items) is required.

Votes at a glance: - Subdivision plat — Michael Waller (5 lots, Martell Road): approved. - Subdivision plat — William Kellum (3 lots, Bradshaw Hollow Road): approved. - Subdivision plat — Terry Patton (lot-line adjustments, Wilberson Road): approved. - Commercial site plan — Roger Boring (addition, 100 Tarwater Road, M-1): approved. - Commercial site plan — Roman Catholic Diocese of Knoxville (cemetery, North Shore Drive): approved; applicant said interior roads and additional trees would be installed and that the existing nursery building contains a small chapel and kitchenette. - Rezone — Steven Simmons / Jonathan Mendoza (A-1 to A-3, 5805 Uniti Road): approved. - Rezone — Elizabeth and Tyler Barr (A-1 to A-2/A-3, 2608 Washington Pike): approved. - Rezone — Corey Cable (A-2 to A-3, 28374 Highway 95): tabled at applicant request. - Rezone — Marquez Jordan / Sarah Wolfcamp (A-2 to CFD, White Wing Road): approved (see separate article for details and public comment). - Rezone — Allen Canister / Keisha Canister (A-2 to A-3, McGee Road): approved. - Rezone — Philip Thomas (A-1 to A-3, 3275 Hotchkiss Valley Road): approved. - Variance/exception — Kim Bowen / Steven Malone (front setback reduced 13 feet at 2522 Palmer Drive): approved.

What commissioners emphasized: Commissioners repeatedly noted that approvals at the planning commission level do not replace required county or state permits; drainage/detention, highway access permits and site-plan reviews were cited as outstanding technical steps. On cemetery and church proposals commissioners and applicants discussed setbacks, internal road paving and buffering to reduce visual impacts.

Next steps: Approved items will proceed to the county’s permitting and site-plan processes as required; the tabled item was moved to a future meeting for additional review.