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 petition opposing the rezoning. Another resident, Victoria Cholmond, told the commission the road is “a residential road” and that a resort or campground is not appropriate for the area.

Supporters of the James proposal also spoke. Calvin Yarbrough identified himself as part of the team working on the project and said he was “very comfortable” the project would enhance property values. Lasalles James described the proposal as a family project of roughly a dozen or so small, seasonal units and called them “glamorous camping zones,” saying each unit would include a bathroom and kitchenette and that the owners did not expect a traffic increase requiring a study.

After the hearing, Commissioner Oakes moved to rezone the R‑1 parcel to A‑1; Commissioner Henderson seconded. The motion carried 5‑0.

The commission then considered five other rezoning petitions, each approved by unanimous votes: - Case R‑25‑024: Jeffrey Dixon’s petition to rezone 12.42 acres on Hill Creek Road (Tunstall District) from R‑1 to A‑1 to allow farm‑use hemp production. Motion by Commissioner Oakes, second by Commissioner Brown. Vote: 5‑0. - Case R‑25‑025: Joyce Rimmer’s petition to rezone 8.62 acres on Hollywood Road (Callens/Gretna District) from R‑1 to A‑1 to allow a manufactured home and consolidate with adjacent A‑1 land. Motion by Commissioner Oakes, second by Commissioner Webb. Vote: 5‑0. - Case R‑25‑026: Trudy Northrup’s petition to rezone 35.41 acres on Cascade Road (Tunstall District) from R‑1 to A‑1 to allow livestock. Motion by Commissioner Oakes, second by Commissioner Henderson. Vote: 5‑0. - Case R‑25‑027: David Dixon’s petition to rezone 12.33 acres on Hill Creek Road (Tunstall District) from R‑1 to A‑1 to allow farming. Motion by Commissioner Oakes, second by Commissioner Webb. Vote: 5‑0. - Case R‑25‑028: Henry Hurt Jr.’s petition to rezone 1.67 acres on Old Red Eye Road (Callens/Gretna District) from R‑1 to A‑1 to allow a second dwelling (represented at the hearing by the applicant’s grandson, Clement Hurt). Motion by Commissioner Oakes, second by Commissioner Henderson. Vote: 5‑0.

Separately, the commission recommended approval to the Board of Zoning Appeals for Case SD‑25‑021, a request from Eric Grabowski for a special‑use permit to site a manufactured home on a 3.326‑acre lot on Tracy Drive (Banister District). Commissioner Henderson made the motion recommending approval to the BZA; Commissioner Brown seconded. The recommendation carried 5‑0.

Commissioners and staff noted procedural next steps for several applicants. Commissioner Oakes said that rezoning approvals do not authorize construction or operations; applicants must return for required special‑use permits or permits at a later date (he cited a likely special‑use permit review in December or January for the micro‑resort site).

Under old business, county staff reported that the Board of Supervisors had awarded the comprehensive‑plan project to a firm identified in the meeting as Line and Grave; staff said the project will commence soon. The commission adjourned at 7:28 p.m.

The discussion ranged from brief petitioner presentations to multiple neighborhood speakers on the micro‑resort application; all formal rezoning motions passed by recorded 5‑0 tallies.

Votes at a glance: Case R‑25‑023 (West Sunrise Dr., 15.516 acres) — rezoned R‑1 to A‑1 to allow micro‑resort/event space; motion by Commissioner Oakes; second Commissioner Henderson; vote 5‑0 (approved). Case R‑25‑024 (Hill Creek Rd., 12.42 acres) — rezoned to A‑1 for hemp farming; motion Oakes; second Brown; vote 5‑0 (approved). Case R‑25‑025 (Hollywood Rd., 8.62 acres) — rezoned to A‑1 to allow manufactured home and consolidation; motion Oakes; second Webb; vote 5‑0 (approved). Case R‑25‑026 (Cascade Rd., 35.41 acres) — rezoned to A‑1 for livestock; motion Oakes; second Henderson; vote 5‑0 (approved). Case R‑25‑027 (Hill Creek Rd., 12.33 acres) — rezoned to A‑1 for farming; motion Oakes; second Webb; vote 5‑0 (approved). Case R‑25‑028 (Old Red Eye Rd., 1.67 acres) — rezoned to A‑1 to allow a second dwelling; motion Oakes; second Henderson; vote 5‑0 (approved). Case SD‑25‑021 (Tracy Drive, 3.326 acres) — recommended to BZA for a special‑use permit for a manufactured home; motion Henderson; second Brown; vote 5‑0 (recommendation to BZA).