Planning Commission recommends approval of Evolution House group home at 4622 Rochambeau Drive

The James City County Planning Commission on July 2 recommended the Board of Supervisors approve a special use permit for Evolution House to operate a group home for people recovering from substance use disorder at 4622 Rochambeau Drive.

Staff told commissioners the property, zoned A-1 General Agricultural and designated Rural Lands in the comprehensive plan, previously operated as a doctor’s office and has an existing driveway, stormwater controls and a septic system. Allison Jacura, a county planner, told the commission the proposal requires a special use permit because the operator proposes a group home with more than eight residents; the applicant asked to operate up to 16 residents, subject to building- and septic-system capacity.

The applicant, represented by attorney Greg Davis of Kaufman and Canoles, described Evolution House as a step-down residential program for men exiting inpatient treatment. Davis said the organization would limit on-site vehicles, use vans to transport residents to off-site services and place staff on-site, and that no registered sex offenders would be admitted. He said the operator updated a resident policy manual and proposed a “good neighbor” policy after meeting with neighbors in February.

Public speakers described personal and family experience with addiction and urged approval. Robert Filace said Evolution House provided the support network that helped him remain sober. Marie Miller, a federal prosecutor who said she had family members affected by addiction, and Cole Sanderson, a nearby property owner, also spoke in favor.

To address neighborhood concerns, staff and the applicant agreed to conditions included in the staff report. Those conditions require two levels of resident screening (including licensed professionals), drug testing three times per week on a random basis, an on-site responsible party and a contact person for neighbors, signage or fencing along a shared property line, a prohibition on admitting registered sex offenders, and annual reports to the police chief and the zoning administrator documenting any admissions of convicted violent felons and daily resident counts. The permit also conditions final capacity on meeting building- and septic-system requirements.

Commissioners praised the applicant’s neighborhood outreach and the addition of the contact-person requirement and other conditions. The commission voted by roll call to recommend approval; the clerk recorded aye votes from Jack Polster, Steve Rogers, Frank Everson, Scott May, Dr. Ullman and Chair Jack Haldeman. The motion carried unanimously.

The Planning Commission’s action is a recommendation; final approval is with the Board of Supervisors. The staff report lists required building-code changes and other conditions the applicant must satisfy before operating at the proposed maximum capacity.