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Scott County postpones special-use permit for thrift store and carry-out after neighbor opposition
Summary
The board postponed indefinitely a special-use permit request from Theta Jennings to operate a thrift store with a small carry-out restaurant at East Carter—s Valley and Lucy Road after neighbors presented a petition of over 200 signatures and raised safety and traffic concerns; applicant said she holds a VDOT entrance permit and a health-department septic permit.
Theta Jennings, who applied for a special-use permit to allow retail sales at a property on East Carter—s Valley and Lucy Road, told the Scott County Board of Supervisors that she has obtained a Virginia Department of Transportation entrance permit and a Virginia Department of Health septic permit and plans a thrift store with a small carry-out restaurant. "The man from VDOT came there and he showed me exactly where to put the entrance. I paid the $250 fee and got his permit," Jennings said during the public hearing.
Planning staff explained the county—s zoning ordinance requires a special-use permit for retail sales at the site and said the planning commission recommended approval conditioned on the VDOT entrance permit and the health-department septic approval. Staff told the board the applicant had the written VDOT permit but had not yet installed the required barrier at the access point.
Neighbors opposed the request at the hearing. Robbie Lewis of Gate City said the community submitted a petition with "over 200" signatures and urged the board to deny the request because of safety and traffic concerns on the rural road. "We—re not talking about Main Street," Lewis said. Residents pointed to multiple prior iterations of the proposed use and asked whether a special-use permit would remain with the land if the property changed hands.
Jennings said rumors that she intended to host CBD or marijuana sales were unfounded and that the project evolved as she learned what was allowable. She said the proposed restaurant would be carry-out only and that she planned to install reflectors and the required barrier. "We're not just gonna offer used merchandise or antiques," she said, adding she expects local interest in the store.
Board members expressed concern about safety at the access point and asked for clearer photos and confirmation that the barrier required by VDOT had been installed. After discussion about timing and outstanding documentation, the board agreed to postpone action indefinitely and to ask planning staff and the applicant to report back once VDOT requirements and clearer site documentation are in place.
No formal vote to approve the permit was taken; the matter was placed on hold pending verification of the VDOT barrier and additional materials for the board to review.
