Board approves special exception allowing MBL Auto to open minor auto repair facility on parcel intersecting Spotsylvania and Caroline counties

The Board of Supervisors approved a special exception permitting a minor auto repair use on a parcel that straddles the Spotsylvania–Caroline county line, with conditions addressing parking, screening, site plan and permitting.

Planning staff presented SPEX 022024, which would allow MBL Auto to operate a minor vehicle repair facility on a portion of a parcel whose sales office and primary entrance are in Spotsylvania County. The Caroline portion of the parcel is landlocked and accessed via the approved entrance in Spotsylvania. The county’s prior approvals allowed nine display vehicles on the Caroline portion as an accessory to the used car business; the applicant removed those displays and now seeks to open the garage to public minor repairs.

Staff recommended conditions including: recording conditions in the circuit court within 30 days; limits on inoperable vehicles and parts storage; no vehicle stored longer than 60 days while awaiting repair; fluids and parts to be stored in a fully enclosed structure and disposed of per regulations; and submission of a site plan and VDOT review for any entrance improvements. Planning staff also added a condition (introduced at the meeting) requiring yearly inspection of special-exception conditions by the planning and zoning department.

Applicant attorney Steve Judy said the owners have operated the car sales facility for four years without violations and that no new buildings are planned — the existing structure contains four garage bays and has been used to service vehicles previously sold on site. He said if the special exception is approved, permitting by the building department, health department (drain field/bathroom) and VDOT will still be required before public operations begin.

Board action: Supervisor Long moved to approve with staff-recommended conditions including the yearly inspection; Supervisor Thomas seconded. The board approved the special exception on a voice vote.

Why it matters: The approval allows the business to receive customers from the public in the portion of the property within Caroline County, subject to conditions including VDOT entrance review, building‑department permits, health‑department drain field or tie‑in, limits on cars awaiting repair and annual inspections.

Next steps: The applicant must obtain building permits and any required health‑department approvals, submit a minor site plan and secure any VDOT entrance approvals before commencing public repairs; the existing accessory-use allowance for servicing vehicles for sale remains in place while that prior special exception continues.