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Commission denies rezoning request for Pocahontas Road storage units, cites comprehensive plan conflict
Summary
The planning commission voted to recommend denial of a rezoning to allow storage units on Pocahontas Road, agreeing with staff that the requested industrial use conflicts with the county’s adopted future land-use plan.
The Jefferson County Planning and Zoning Commission voted Oct. 9 to recommend denial of Z250023, a request to rezone approximately 4.65 acres on Pocahontas Road from A-1 to I-1 to permit public storage units for boats and RVs.
Planning staff told the commission the parcel is about 4.65 acres, sits near single-family zones, and had previously been denied a similar rezoning in 2020 because it conflicted with the Shades Creek Watershed guidance under the county’s prior plan. Staff said the recently adopted comprehensive plan designates the site as an “activity center,” a land-use category intended for pedestrian-oriented, mixed commercial uses; staff concluded that an industrial storage use conflicts with that designation and recommended denial.
Applicant Scotty Prince spoke at length in favor of the project and said the family-operated business would provide retirement income; he disputed the staff rationale as he described nearby development and drainage patterns. Prince told the commission his family had pursued the request “for a little over 5 years.” Commissioners reiterated they must follow the county’s adopted comprehensive plan and zoning rules and said the commission’s role is to recommend action to the Jefferson County Commission. After public comment the commission moved to deny the rezoning recommendation; the motion passed.
The recommendation of denial will be transmitted to the Jefferson County Commission for final consideration.
