Accomack County BZA approves four special-use permits, including RV habitation with one-year septic condition

Accomack County’s Board of Zoning Appeals approved four special-use permits at a recent meeting, voting unanimously to allow: an accessory structure on a vacant agricultural parcel, habitation of an RV on two residential parcels with a one-year septic condition, an after-the-fact marine and motorcycle repair business in an agricultural zone, and a farmer’s market in a residential zone. The board’s staff presented each request, followed by statements from the applicants and brief public discussion.

Cindy Jones, code enforcement officer for zoning, summarized the first application, SUSE0000992025, for Barbara and Fred Fisher, who requested a special-use permit to build an accessory pole building on a 27-acre agricultural parcel (tax map parcel 110-A-35). Jones told the board the parcel is not in a floodplain or resource protection area and that staff “recommended approval of SUSE0000992025” subject to four routine conditions including obtaining a building permit and complying with Virginia Department of Health and Virginia Department of Transportation regulations. Barbara Fisher told the board the pole building would store building equipment and farm equipment while they prepare to build a house, and that they “do plan to build next spring.” The board voted to approve the permit with the staff-recommended conditions.

The second permit, SUSE0000612025, sought to allow habitation of a travel trailer on two adjoining residential parcels (94-D-7-16A and 94-D-7-17). Jones said the application was “after the fact” (the RV was already on site) and that staff recommended denial because travel trailers “do not contribute to an attractive and harmonious community” and could adversely affect nearby property values. During testimony, the applicant (identified in staff materials as Tom Brookover) said the trailer is used for weekend visits and maintenance while he clears the property; he stated, “We’re currently using the travel trailer just for weekend use. We’re not living in it,” and explained he hauls water and sewage off-site. Board members pressed for a clear timeline for constructing permanent infrastructure; one board member proposed and the board adopted a revised condition requiring an on-site well and septic to be installed within one year of BZA approval. The board approved the special-use permit subject to the staff conditions as revised (including the one-year septic requirement and limiting the approval to one unit for the applicant or family, among other conditions).

The third application, SUSE0000762025, involved an after-the-fact request from Robert Buscher to allow a marine and motorcycle repair business on a roughly 2-acre agricultural parcel on Bradford’s Neck Road (tax map 121-A-46A). Jones said the structures already existed, the business had operated for years without neighbor complaints, and staff recommended approval with four conditions (including compliance with VDH/VDOT regulations and that the property not fall into disrepair). Jones explained the zoning department would retain discretion to require parking, landscaping, lighting and signage rules from the general business standards if necessary. Buscher said the business is largely appointment-based and family-run, and that he was “willing to do what is required.” The board approved the special-use permit with the conditions recommended by staff.

The fourth permit, SUSE0001002025, would allow a change of use to operate a farmer’s market (retail) in a new pole building on a 16-acre parcel in a residential zone (tax map 94-A-104). Jones said the structure could be used for a retail store by special-use permit and staff recommended approval with five conditions, including obtaining a building permit and compliance with VDH and VDOT regulations. Applicant Jay Kennedy described the project as “a little mom and pop, retirement plan for the owner, Joyce,” and his daughter, Victoria Love Craft, said the market would sell jams, jellies and produce grown locally. The board approved the permit with the staff-recommended conditions.

All four approvals incorporated the staff’s typical maintenance and compliance conditions; the RV permit was the only case in which the board added a specific construction-related timeline (septic installation within one year) as a condition of continued authorization. No public speakers registered opposition for any of the four items; Jones said staff received one supportive comment for the Buscher application and no public comments for the Kennedy market.

Board members noted the BZA anticipates several additional special-use applications at the next meeting, including multiple RV requests, several outbuildings and two towers under 100 feet tall. The board adjourned after presenting a resolution of appreciation for long-serving member Betty Kearns.