Planning commission forwards Faith Recovery request to increase group‑home beds to Board of Supervisors

The York County Planning Commission voted on Nov. 12, 2025, to forward resolution PC25‑25R to the Board of Supervisors recommending approval of a special‑use permit that would raise occupancy at a recovery residence operated by Youth Challenge Hampton Roads, doing business as Faith Recovery, from 16 residents to 21.

Planning staff told commissioners the property (listed in the staff presentation with addresses variously referenced in the record as “325 Yule Road” and “325 Ewell Road”) includes four single‑story buildings—two houses for residents, an administration/counseling office and a chapel—and is zoned limited industrial but surrounded by a mix of commercial and residential uses. Staff said the applicant is licensed by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) as recovery residences and accredited by the Virginia Association of Recovery Residences and CARF. "Due to the considerations and conclusions as noted, staff recommends approval of this application subject to the conditions set forth and proposed resolution number PC25‑25R," staff said during the presentation.

The application would increase beds in one building from eight to 13 while the companion house would remain at six or eight depending on which certificate(s) of occupancy and approvals are applied, producing a proposed total of 21 beds. Staff and commissioners discussed how DBHDS square‑footage standards for recovery residences differ from building‑code certificates of occupancy; staff said the higher occupancy could be achieved only if square‑footage and licensing standards are met and that an expansion of the building would be required in some scenarios. The staff report also said the lot meets the county’s minimum lot‑size requirements for the proposed number of residents and that current parking (16 spaces shown on the applicant’s sketch plan) would satisfy the 14 spaces staff calculated for 21 beds.

Staff included several conditions of approval to address safety and code compliance: submission of supervisory staff qualifications for review, acquisition of a new certificate of occupancy aligned with the change of use, installation of an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with the 2021 Virginia Construction Code, and an emergency plan approved by Fire and Life Safety prior to the change of use.

Travis Hall, CEO of Faith Recovery, spoke for the applicant and described the organization’s 46‑year history and accreditation. "There's a huge need out there, and the more we're able to help people, that's five additional lives that we can save," Hall said as he described the program and the proposed interior bed layout.

After public comment and questions, a commissioner moved that the commission forward PC25‑25R to the Board of Supervisors for approval; the motion passed and the resolution will be considered by the Board of Supervisors. The staff report and the commission’s recommendation attach conditions that must be satisfied before any increase in occupancy is implemented.