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Neighbors split as commission weighs waivers for Blackwood Forest family subdivision
Summary
A Rhodes family request to split a 10.72‑acre lot in Blackwood Forest to create a 2.13‑acre parcel for an accessible home drew both support and opposition; staff identified three private‑street waivers required and flagged potential cumulative water supply concerns. Commissioners debated whether applicants met waiver standards.
The Fauquier County Planning Commission heard competing testimony Sept. 19 over three zoning‑ordinance waivers the Rhodes family seeks to subdivide a 10.72‑acre lot in the Blackwood Forest subdivision to create a 2.13‑acre parcel for the applicant’s daughter to build an accessible, single‑story home.
Staff explained the family‑subdivision process and said the application must obtain three private‑street waivers: A (allow a private street longer than 1,320 feet), B (allow an additional lot on a dead‑end private street that serves more than 20 lots) and C (allow a private street to connect to another private street). Staff also noted family subdivisions are exempt from the county’s central water‑supply requirement, meaning no hydrogeological study is required, and cautioned that if many neighbors pursue similar subdivisions it could create cumulative water‑supply concerns.
David Rhodes, speaking for his family, said they need an accessible home for a granddaughter with a disability and that other options (renovations or accessory dwelling) were infeasible. Neighbors led by Scott Pedrick and petition signers opposed the waivers, saying the subdivision would undermine the 10‑acre character of the neighborhood and could set a precedent. Supporters including Jane Denny Gladden said the family qualifies under the ordinance and noted existing volunteer road‑maintenance practices.
A commissioner moved to recommend denial of the waiver requests, saying the applicants had not demonstrated that they meet the ordinance’s waiver standards. That motion was seconded; the transcript does not record a final vote on that specific motion. Prior to deliberations the commission convened a closed meeting for legal consultation about the Rhodes waivers.
The Rhodes application remains subject to final action by the Board of Supervisors. Staff noted conditions that would limit any granted waivers to the subdivision and structures shown and require deed language obligating both lots to join road‑maintenance agreements.
