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Board weighs revocation hearing for special permit at Luis Casofino Farm over permit condition compliance
Summary
The board was briefed Sept. 11 on complaints alleging the owner of Luis Casofino Farm LLC violated conditions of special permit SPPT25-024530; staff said some violations were corrected but the board will hold a public hearing before deciding whether to revoke the permit.
Fauquier County staff told the board on Sept. 11 the county had received complaints alleging the Luis Casofino Farm LLC operation violated conditions of a recently granted special permit (SPPT25-024530). The board was briefed on the evidence and staff said the zoning administrator had met with the property owner and that some corrective steps were taken.
Staff summary and complaints: The record includes complaints alleging operations outside the permit’s allowed hours and operation of activities not authorized by the permit. Staff said photographic evidence showed a truck arriving outside permitted times but noted photos did not definitively prove business activity — the owner told staff the vehicle is his personal truck. Staff also said a delivery did occur before the allowed time because of a substitute driver; the owner sent a letter to the delivery company and added a log to limit future early deliveries.
Why it matters: A special permit carries conditions. Staff told the board that revocation is typically considered after repeated violations and that the county had sent notice to the owner. The zoning administrator reported the owner had corrected at least one noncompliant activity and had been working with staff to comply with time restrictions. Neighbors both for and against the operation have filed letters, and the board was told that resident support from other neighbors could influence the board’s approach.
Board comments: Supervisors debated reasonableness of delivery time windows and the difference between an occasional delivery before the permitted hour and ongoing noncompliance. Several supervisors urged deference to neighbors’ concerns and said operators seeking special permits must meet neighbors’ expectations; others noted the owner’s remedial steps and neighbor statements of general respectfulness.
Next steps: The revocation will be the subject of a public hearing; the transcript shows the owners had been invited to appear and the board will hear testimony before making a revocation decision. Staff did not recommend automatic revocation and said the issue is the board's determination based on the evidence presented at the hearing.
