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Culpeper board approves sewer extension to two parcels near Industrial Airpark to address failing septic; owner says project enables larger veterinary facility
Summary
The board approved a request to extend sewer to two parcels (304‑4 and 304‑4A) from the Culpeper Industrial Airpark. Owner Don Gibson said donor‑funded construction and a subsequent commercial rezoning would pay for the sewer, enabling a larger animal hospital and addressing failing septic systems.
The Culpeper County Board of Supervisors approved a request Sept. 3 to extend sewer service from the Culpeper Industrial Airpark to two tax parcels (304‑4 and 304‑4A) after a Public Works Committee discussion that produced no formal recommendation.
County staff described a proposal from owner Don Gibson for a small pump station and force main that would be constructed at the owner’s expense and then donated to the county for public ownership and maintenance. Staff said the site constraints (between Route 29 and the railroad) limit options and that the proposed setup would not meet the county’s typical minimum standards for larger public pump stations but could be acceptable for a small, localized service area if the board authorized it.
Applicant Don Gibson told the board he sought the sewer because the existing on‑site systems are failing and because bringing sewer across Route 29 is necessary to support plans for a larger animal‑hospital operation that would provide ambulatory and emergency large‑animal services. Gibson said the economics of building the animal‑hospital facility depend on accompanying commercial rezoning and sales that would help justify the sewer crossing.
Why it matters: the extension would address failing septic systems on the two parcels and could enable commercial development intended to support a veterinary facility and related services in the Elkwood/Industrial Airpark area. The proposal shifts construction cost to the applicant, with the county assuming ownership after donation.
Next steps: board approved the extension request; staff will work through design, any required easements, and service‑area limitations before taking any additional formal actions.
Quote: “Our ultimate goal for that property was to build a bigger animal hospital... We can't do that without public sewer,” Don Gibson said.
Technical note: county staff said the line would be sized to permit a limited number of adjacent connections if the service area is later expanded by the board, but any expansion of the service area would require board approval.
