Planning commission approves Wade Road commercial site plan despite Highway 72 access restriction

The Loudoun County Planning Commission voted 5-4 to approve a commercial site plan for property owned by Andrew Brackett on Wade Road West after the applicant learned the State of Tennessee will not permit a new access onto Highway 72.

Commissioners said the developer must complete outstanding technical items before final signatures, but approved the project while acknowledging the only practical access will be from Wade Road, a narrow local road reported in the meeting as roughly 14–15 feet wide.

The property (Tax Map 068, Parcel 010) is in a C-2 General Commercial District in District 4. Planning staff and the applicant described the project as a small commercial operation initially focused on a service/shop for landscaping and tree work, with the applicant saying the business currently operates pickup trucks with trailers and “a truck that pulls a chipper” and that future activity could include retail sales of mulch and landscape materials.

At the meeting county staff said the site plan submission was close to complete but that “there’s still some stuff lacking on the site plan itself” and that several minor corrections would be required before final approval. Staff also reported contacting the state about an access connection to Highway 72 and said the state had indicated the parcel is in a “no access” area, leaving Wade Road as the only feasible entrance.

Several commissioners questioned whether Wade Road could safely accommodate the turning and vehicle types described by the applicant. One commissioner asked the road superintendent for comment; the superintendent offered no formal recommendation beyond noting permitting would be required. Commissioners and members of the public noted the road’s narrow width and a nearby curve. Meeting discussion included the engineer’s line-of-sight study showing sight distance from the proposed driveway and the applicant’s statement that most trips would occur early in the morning and would be primarily pickup trucks and trailers rather than large tractor-trailers.

Members of the public addressed the commission in support of the applicant. The owner of CBT Tree and Landscape Service urged commissioners to approve, saying the applicant “isn’t your typical 27‑year‑old” and asking the commission to “give this young man a chance.” The speaker said the property is deeded for nursery/landscape use and described plans for selling mulch and landscape stone in the future, and pledged that the business would not dump job debris on the site.

Opponents raised concerns about safety and potential later expansion to retail that could increase traffic. Commissioners repeatedly stressed that final approval would be contingent on completion of outstanding plan documentation and compliance with county construction and permitting standards.

The motion to approve passed 5–4. The commission recorded that the applicant must correct the remaining plan items and obtain required permits; staff will not sign final plats or issue building permits until the outstanding technical requirements are satisfied.

Planning staff indicated they will review the engineer’s remaining submittals, confirm the driveway design for the Wade Road connection and ensure required road and stormwater standards are met before final signatures are issued.