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Board approves special-use permit to allow events at Dunnington Mansion
Summary
The board unanimously approved a special-use permit for the Dunnington Mansion Foundation to operate a rural events facility at the Poplar Hill/Dunnington Mansion property, with conditions recommended by the Planning Commission including annual safety inspections.
Prince Edward County supervisors on Jan. 14 voted unanimously to approve a special-use permit allowing the Dunnington Mansion Foundation to operate a rural events facility at the Poplar Hill (Dunnington Mansion) property near Manor House Drive.
The permit, recommended without opposition by the Planning Commission, allows the nonprofit to continue and expand events at the mansion and includes conditions the commission and county building official requested, including an annual safety inspection by a structural engineer.
The foundation’s president, Heather Beach, told the board the organization was incorporated in 2021, already runs tours and small rentals and has hosted film shoots and photography sessions. “We do conduct historic tours now,” Beach said, and described a two‑phase plan in which current, smaller activities would continue while the foundation seeks funding to rehabilitate the mansion for larger weddings and conferences.
County staff said the Planning Commission held an advisory hearing Dec. 17 and received no public opposition. Mr. Love, the county planner who presented the item, noted the building official’s request for annual engineering re‑reviews and said staff considers the proposed use “consistent with this district.”
Supervisor Watson moved to approve the permit, with the planning commission’s recommended conditions; another supervisor seconded the motion and the board approved it on a roll call vote.
The special‑use permit allows up to 150 guests per event as reviewed and limited by VDOT traffic guidance, requires off‑road parking arrangements and carries the county’s recommended safety and reporting conditions. Beach said the foundation has written support from Preservation Virginia, Longwood University and the Moton Museum.
The board’s action establishes the permit and the attached conditions; it does not transfer property ownership or commit county funds to rehabilitation.
Board members and staff said they welcomed the preservation and adaptive‑reuse approach Beach described; no public speakers registered opposition during the hearing.
Looking ahead, the foundation and county staff said any larger rehabilitation projects would come back to the board through the standard permitting, design and funding processes.
