Planning commission recommendations: multiple special exceptions and permits eyed for farms, churches and events

Planning staff briefed the Fauquier County Board of Supervisors on multiple land-use applications at the July 10 work session; the items will return for public hearings and board action.

Wiese Hassofino Farm LLC (Special Permit, Category 15). The applicant seeks to continue commercial storage and processing of bulk agricultural products (sawdust/wood shavings used for horse bedding) at 10635 Fox Plantation Lane. Planning staff said the proposal anticipates about four supplier deliveries per week and 15–20 customer deliveries per week (up to 20 permitted). The planning commission recommended conditions limiting the business to three employees (no more than one off-site), restrict storage/loading to the existing barn, limit vehicles to two single-axle dump trucks stored overnight in the barn, set delivery hours and require a monthly incoming/outgoing delivery log to the zoning administrator. The commission shortened the approval term to two years (with administrative renewals) and highlighted longstanding private-road maintenance concerns raised by neighbors.

Church of God at Midland (Category 6 special exception; Category 9 and Class B event requests). The Manassas-based Church of God seeks to relocate and operate a major place of worship on nearly 61 acres off Catlett Road. The application proposes a 35,000-sq-ft main building with a 325-seat auditorium, a 17,500-sq-ft auxiliary building and up to 261 parking spaces, two Sunday services (325 attendees each) and a limited monthly members-only banquet (up to 200). The church also seeks a class-b permit for an annual weeklong fellowship meeting (up to six days) with cumulative attendance up to 3,000, typically 400–500 per day. The planning commission recommended extensive conditions: limits on attendance and hours, required temporary sanitation and a pump truck for septic alarms, required VDOT turn-lane improvements, parking screening, and a requirement that events be for members only. Traffic impacts on Route 28 and potential conflicts with other nearby large venues were raised by supervisors.

Great Marsh Estate (amendment to Category 9 special exception). The estate seeks permission to increase event frequency to 60 events per year (36 events up to 200 guests), allow up to four Friday events with 200 guests and extend the approval term; planning staff said commissioners recommended a maximum of 60 events per year, condition that events with more than 100 guests be limited to Saturdays (except for four Fridays), a five-year approval term with administrative renewals, and other prior conditions to remain.

Oak Spring Garden Foundation (Category 9 special exception). The foundation requested authority for its Roca Bee community festival, initially held in 2024 as a single-day event for up to 1,000 attendees. The applicant sought the option to expand to a two-day event with up to 3,000 cumulative attendees (no more than 1,500 per day). Planning staff reported the commission recommended limiting the approval to a single one-day event per year with up to 1,500 attendees, requiring VDOT-approved traffic control, permits from health, ABC and emergency services, and a site plan.

Georgia Brown (Category 29 special exception; private street waiver). In the village of Frietown the applicant seeks to subdivide an existing lot and extend a private street to serve three lots (proposed private street length 729 feet). The application requests design waivers to exceed the 700-foot private-street standard and to permit slopes up to 12% (ordinance standard 10%). The planning commission unanimously recommended approval subject to deed restrictions, maintenance agreements, VDOT entrance standards and other standard conditions.

All applications drew detailed staff-recommended conditions and will return to the board for public hearings and final action; several supervisors signaled a preference for the planning commissions recommended conditions while reserving final decisions until after public comment.