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Board adopts zoning text amendment to allow limited commercial reuse at Burke Lane/Route 29 property
Summary
The Fauquier County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to adopt a zoning ordinance text amendment allowing limited commercial uses on certain RA-rural properties historically used for commercial activity, a change proposed by CBCAM LLC and recommended by the Planning Commission.
Fauquier County supervisors voted unanimously to adopt a text amendment expanding limited commercial uses on certain rural-authorized (RA) properties that historically contained commercial buildings.
The amendment, advanced by applicant CBCAM LLC and described by county planning staff, applies to properties such as the applicant’s parcel near the intersection of Burke Lane and Route 29, about 3.5 miles south of the Warrenton Service District. Staff said the change uses the existing special-exception process but adds restrictions intended to limit scale and protect rural character: eligible parcels must be under 10 acres, increases in commercial building square footage are capped at 15% (down from 30% allowed on residential properties), and the board must find the parcel’s existing infrastructure makes it unsuitable for agricultural or residential use.
The Planning Commission held a public hearing July 18, during which the applicant was the lone speaker; the commission recommended adoption 4-0 with one member absent. At the Board meeting, Greg Ashwell, speaking on behalf of the applicant, told supervisors he supported staff’s presentation. Supervisor (speaker 15) moved to adopt the ordinance; the motion was seconded and passed 5-0.
According to staff, the amendment is intended to permit reuse of existing commercial buildings without wholesale rezoning, while preserving oversight through the special-exception review, public input opportunities and the ability to attach conditions.
The measure will now proceed under the county’s ordinance-adoption process; staff said the special-exception requirement gives the Planning Commission and the Board oversight at the project level.
