Board approves rebuild of Big Lou's Auto Parts pole building at Trappers Mill Road

The Caroline County Board of Zoning Appeals on March 18 approved a special use exception allowing Big Lou's Auto Parts LLC to rebuild a 40-by-60 pole building at 14219 Trappers Mill Road in Greensboro.

The board approved application 24-0045 to replace a building that was destroyed by fire. The property — listed on county tax maps as Tax Map 15, Grid 8, Parcel 709 — operates as a licensed salvage yard that pre-dates the county zoning ordinance adopted in 1967. The applicant told the board the proposed structure is the same size and in the same location as the former building and would be used again for dismantling vehicles and storing inventory.

The board's staff report noted that nonconforming uses such as licensed salvage yards may not be expanded or modified without a special use exception. Staff confirmed the applicant had submitted ownership documents, water and sewer verification, an aerial exhibit and a site plan as part of the application packet (Exhibits 2–4, 8, 10). Chair Karen Hardy read those exhibits into the record during the hearing.

Applicant representative Robert Dixon testified the replacement building would be identical to the prior structure and that dismantling and parts inventory would be handled inside the building as before. No opponents testified at the public hearing, and the board had no outstanding technical objections from staff regarding public health or safety tied to the replacement.

After brief deliberation the board approved the special use exception with conditions requiring that the applicant obtain a zoning certificate or building permit and follow slate plan requirements before construction, and that the approval would be void one year from the date of approval unless a zoning certificate or building permit was issued and construction had begun. Chair Karen Hardy closed the hearing by announcing, “It’s passed.”

The county’s decision means Big Lou’s may pursue permitting and rebuilding under the conditions set by the board; required building permits and inspections remain a separate administrative step.

Votes at a glance

- Special Use Exception 24-0045 (Big Lou’s Auto Parts LLC): approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals; conditions include obtaining a zoning certificate or building permit and starting construction within one year or the approval will be void.

Context and next steps

The approval restores the property’s previously permitted configuration for the salvage-yard support building. The applicant must secure required county building permits and comply with slate plan and site-plan documentation before starting construction. If the applicant does not obtain permits and begin construction within one year, the board’s approval will lapse.