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Prince George Planning Commission approves waiver to split 11-acre lot on Loving Union Road due to wetlands
Summary
The Planning Commission approved Subdivision Waiver SW 2502 to allow two separate driveways for a proposed split of a roughly 11-acre parcel on Loving Union Road because wetlands lie across the proposed lot line; staff recommended approval with a condition and VDOT indicated it would allow two entrances.
Prince George County planning staff presented and the Planning Commission approved Subdivision Waiver SW 2502 on a unanimous voice/roll call vote to allow a roughly 11-acre parcel on Loving Union Road to be subdivided into two single-family lots without meeting the subdivision ordinance's shared-access-easement requirement.
Jack Greenstein, Prince George County planning department staff, told commissioners the request seeks to waive Article 7 design standards of the subdivision ordinance as authorized under section 70-208 to permit division of one lot into two without the usual shared access easement for lots fronting on a collector or arterial road. Greenstein said the property is zoned RA (residential agricultural), is located across from the intersection of Loving Union and Hare Road, and currently is vacant residential land with wetlands that cross the proposed lot line.
Greenstein said the applicant's justification rests on those wetlands: two separate driveway entrances, rather than a single shared entrance, would reduce disturbance of the wetland area. He told the commission that the preliminary plat otherwise generally complies with zoning and subdivision requirements but that the plat remains under review. Greenstein told the commission that Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) staff had reviewed the request and indicated VDOT would allow two entrances on the proposed lots because of the wetlands.
An applicant who spoke at the meeting reiterated the wetlands concern and the proposal to avoid cutting through the wetlands: "We're just looking to have two separate entrances coming off of Loving Union Road rather than a shared entrance just to avoid cutting through the wetlands," the applicant said.
Staff recommended approval with one condition: the parcel may be subdivided into two lots with one private entrance permitted for each parcel. After discussion, a commissioner moved to adopt the resolution approving Subdivision Ordinance Waiver application SW 2502; the motion passed on a roll call with each commissioner recorded as voting yes.
Why it matters: the commission's decision lets the applicant proceed toward final plat approval without the shared-access easement the code normally requires. Staff noted the waiver process is intended for "unusual situations" where strict adherence would create hardship or injustice, and staff concluded the wetlands' location on the property supports that finding. The waiver does not change other zoning or subdivision requirements that must still be met before recordation of a plat.
The commission did not receive public comment on this item at the meeting. Greenstein said the item was advertised in accordance with county and state code requirements and that no public comments had been filed.
The approval does not itself authorize construction or final plat recordation; the applicant must complete remaining review steps and meet all other applicable requirements before building permits or lot recordation are issued.
