Northumberland planning commission backs conditional use permit for furniture‑repair shop in Lottsburg

The Northumberland County Planning Commission on Monday recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve a conditional use permit for a small furniture‑repair retail business in Lottsburg.

The commission’s vote followed a public hearing on an application recorded in the meeting file as submitted by “James Robert Caudill/Caudle Jr.” for a one‑acre parcel shown in the record as tax map parcel (reported in the hearing as) 98‑1‑34 (transcript: “tax map 9 a … lot 34”). The commission’s motion to recommend approval — made and seconded on the record — included the staff‑recommended conditions. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote: “All in favor? Aye. Anybody, anybody opposed? Alright. We’re good.”

Why it matters: The permit would allow a small retail business (furniture repair and limited on‑site sales) to operate on land currently zoned A‑1 (agriculture). The planning commission’s action is a formal recommendation; the Board of Supervisors has final authority to grant or deny the conditional use permit.

At the hearing, a staff member identified as Philip summarized the application to the commission and displayed a site map, saying the property is located on Northumberland Highway in Lottsburg and is an existing building previously used for contractor storage. A speaker introduced in the record as “Mr. Collins” told the commission he had purchased the building and described planned operations: “I’m just gonna… fix furniture and sell… some antiques and collectibles,” and later, “I’ve been fixing furniture for 46 years.” He said he intends to re‑gravel the parking area, remove an existing semi‑trailer (already sold and awaiting pickup), and that the site should accommodate about 10 cars although he does not expect that many customers at once. Collins also said he typically works alone and that a relative helps occasionally.

Commissioners and staff discussed the property’s agricultural zoning. Philip noted that A‑1 district allows a broader range of uses than many other zones and that, while the site and building “appear to be a B‑1 business use,” the surrounding lots remain agricultural. Commissioners asked whether to pursue rezoning to a B‑1 classification; staff and commissioners agreed a rezoning application would be a separate process and that a conditional use permit should move forward now to avoid further delay for the applicant. Philip reminded the commission that ultimate approval of rezoning or the permit rests with the Board of Supervisors.

The commission’s motion, as entered into the record, recommended approval to the Board of Supervisors “through the request by James Robert Cottle Junior, owner for a continual use permit to allow a small retail business, furniture repair shop, on property property zone A 1 Agriculture, known as tax map parcel 98 paragraph 1 dash 34, located at [address as shown in the record].” The motion specifically included the staff‑suggested conditions; the applicant confirmed on the record that he was comfortable complying with those conditions.

Discussion items noted during the hearing that are not formal conditions included: uncertainty in the transcript about the parcel/address notation (the application was described multiple ways in the hearing record), that the building has not been used for agricultural production for many years, and that no written objections from neighbors had been received by staff. Philip said he had spoken with nearby residents and had not received opposition.

Next steps: The planning commission will forward its recommendation and the staff‑suggested conditions to the Board of Supervisors for final action. The transcript on the record shows the commission’s recommendation as unanimous; the Board of Supervisors will set the final public hearing and decision schedule.