Pittsylvania County Planning Commission approves multiple R‑1 to A‑1 rezonings; hears neighbors oppose proposed micro‑resort

The Pittsylvania County Planning Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to rezone six parcels from R‑1 (residential suburban) to A‑1 (agricultural), approving applications that commissioners said will allow uses including a micro‑resort and event space, hemp production, livestock and additional dwellings.

The votes followed public hearings on each case and a short public-comment period during which nearby residents raised concerns about one petition for a micro‑resort on West Sunrise Drive in the Tunstall Election District.

The commission moved first on Case R‑25‑023, a petition from Beth Ann James to rezone 15.516 acres on West Sunrise Drive to A‑1 to allow a micro‑resort retreat center and event space. Weston James, speaking for petitioner Beth Ann James, described the proposal as a family business “looking to pour into the community” and said the owners live within about a 10‑mile radius of the site. He said the intent was “to bring well‑to‑do people to stay and to hopefully massage and increase the economy.”

Several neighbors spoke in opposition or with concerns. Katina Myers, a Tunstall District resident who said her family lives on West Sunrise Drive, told the commission she and other residents were “deeply concerned about the safeguarding of their property values” and cited what she described as environmental deterioration at a nearby Dry Fork bridge. Myers said petitioners collected a 101‑signature…