Planning commission tables Moonlight Drive-In special-exception request pending site plan and agency sign-offs

The Washington County Planning Commission tabled a request from Moonlight Company LLC to reopen and expand the historic Moonlight Drive-In for movies and occasional special events, citing missing technical documentation and neighborhood concerns about parking, noise and public safety.

Renee Blevins, who identified herself as one of the owners, told the commission the Moonlight is on the Virginia and National Historic Registers and that the owners have invested in renovations intended to keep the site "true to its original condition." Blevins said the owners have discussed materials and lighting with the Natural Historic Resources Department, renovated the entrance board and connected the property to Washington County Service Authority water. She said the business model requires supplemental events — flea markets, car shows and music — to make the venue financially viable in the streaming era: "we have to do other means to generate income," she said.

Neighbors said the site’s recent concert (a Clint Black performance) was loud and that parking overflowed onto adjoining private property. Douglas Mead, who lives adjacent to the Moonlight property, asked that any recommendation include "some kind of sound abatement" for amplified concerts and a traffic/parking plan. Janie Warner, another nearby resident, said the improvements are welcome but urged limits on flea-market permanence and asked about whether festival promoters would need separate permits.

Commissioners pressed for technical documentation before forwarding a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors. A commissioner moved to table the application until the applicants submitted a detailed site plan that meets sections 10‑41 and 10‑42 requirements, a VDOT commercial entrance permit document, letters from the sheriff addressing noise and traffic control, and Virginia Department of Health documentation for food preparation. The motion was seconded and the commission voted to table the item unanimously, with the commission noting a target return at the October meeting (the clerk referenced an October 28 meeting date if the materials are ready).

Commission discussion clarified that the commission may consider approving the special exception for the drive-in movie use with a clear site plan while other events could be handled through the county’s event-permit process (section 6‑37), which allows multiple-event permit applications covering up to one calendar year and requires event-specific plans for parking, lighting, security and emergency procedures. Commissioners emphasized the need for a parking diagram, explicit security and evacuation plans, and documented coordination with the sheriff’s and fire departments. Applicants said they had arranged temporary parking with neighboring property owners for the recent concert, had studied parking capacity and would use both volunteer and contracted security depending on event scale.

Transcript notes a discrepancy in capacity figures: Blevins said the theater originally had about "500 spots," while later in the hearing she stated the property contains "464 spots"; commissioners did not resolve that discrepancy at the meeting. The applicants also told the commission they have spent private funds renovating the property and intend to enforce ticketing tied to parking capacity and to require cleanup after events.

The commission did not deny the application; it set the item to be reconsidered once the requested materials are provided to staff.