Planning commission recommends rezoning to allow two 5-acre parcels near Mill Quarter Road

The Amelia County Planning Commission on Nov. (date not specified) voted to recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve rezoning 10 acres associated with tax map Parcel 71-10 from RP-5 to R-5 to allow creation of two five-acre parcels.

Staff told the commission the request covers a four-acre parcel split from tax map 71-10 and an additional six acres of 71-10; a one-acre portion would be added to an existing four-acre parcel (tax map 71-14A) to create a future standalone five-acre parcel while a second five-acre parcel would include an existing dwelling. Staff recommended approval, saying the proposed parcels would meet R-5 acreage and frontage requirements and noting the rezoning is necessary because 71-10 is not a parent parcel.

During the public hearing, Anita L. Williamson, speaking for owner Megan Parrish, said Parrish lives in Michigan and inherited the property. "She inherited this property," Williamson said, and wants to correct "a boundary line adjustment across a state maintained road" so the house is properly sited and the family can keep the remaining land in their possession. Sheila Burrows, Parrish's aunt, said the owner is "very invested" in preserving the property—s rural character and would not remove trees or add structures.

Neighboring property owner Clifford Dye, whose nonprofit animal sanctuary is across Mill Quarter Road, described how the separate four-acre lot was deeded via a boundary adjustment and said the sanctuary did not pursue agritourism. "That farm has not changed 1 single bit in all those years," Dye said, and he told commissioners he does not expect visual or structural changes if the rezoning is approved.

After discussion clarifying that a state-maintained road currently splits a tax map parcel and that the rezoning would make the two future five-acre lots compliant, a commissioner moved to recommend approval. The chair called for the vote and announced the motion carried unanimously; staff will forward the recommendation to the Board of Supervisors and notify the applicant of the board hearing date.

The record materials provided to the commission included the existing and proposed plats showing the lot lines, the county zoning ordinance provisions for RP-5 and R-5 districts, and staff—s draft findings and motion language. The rezoning request was not a conditional rezoning; no proffers were submitted, so the full range of uses allowed in the R-5 district would be eligible if the rezoning is approved by the Board.

The commission—s recommendation is advisory; the Board of Supervisors must act to finalize the rezoning. The chair told speakers that the board hearing date and a follow-up letter will be provided to the applicant.