Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Commercial Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission hears Dollar General proposal but postpones vote after noticing error
Summary
Retzen Companies presented a proffered rezoning for a 2.75‑acre Dollar General market on Route 460 (access proposed from Clay Street Road). Commissioners debated traffic and access but did not vote because some neighbors were not properly noticed; the hearing will be re‑advertised for Oct. 9.
The Dinwiddie County Planning Commission on Sept. 11 heard public testimony and staff and applicant presentations on rezoning case PDash24Dash12, a proposed B‑2 Business General rezoning (with proffers) for roughly 2.75 acres at Route 460 and Clay Street Road intended for a Dollar General market. The commission did not vote on the case because staff identified a noticing error: not all adjoining neighbors were properly notified under Virginia notice requirements.
Planning staff described the proposal and the proffers, which limit certain B‑2 uses (for example, prohibition on drug stores, auto/appliance services, funeral homes, dry cleaners, certain amusements and flea markets), require specified building materials (brick, cementitious siding or equivalent on certain elevations) and direct lighting downward to reduce spill. Staff said the property sits within the Ford Bridal Village Development Area of the comprehensive plan, where limited commercial uses are anticipated.
Applicant representatives — identified in the record as Carrie Hutcherson / Kerry Hutchison (attorney), Matt Williams (Retzen Companies), and engineer Seth Epperson (Summit Engineering) — said the project would be a Dollar General market, that the developer would serve as building owner and lease to Dollar General, and that the firm seeks to hire local contractors where possible. The applicant said VDOT has thus far raised no objection to the rezoning and that the intended site entrance will be from Clay Street Road rather than directly onto Route 460.
Commissioners probed traffic impacts and safety given Route 460’s higher posted speed (60 mph in that corridor): the applicant’s engineer cited typical trip generation estimates (about 53 vehicles per peak hour, roughly 27 in and 27 out at peak), and said VDOT has seen no access objection but will review details during site plan review. Commissioners urged the applicant to consider moving the entrance farther from Route 460, explore shared access or an easement for future adjacent development, and provide revised elevations that better match local context.
One member of the public, Samantha Jeter of Corinth Drive, opposed the rezoning during tonight’s hearing, citing loss of rural character and concerns about traffic and accidents near the transfer station and her property. Because of the noticing issue, the commission will re‑advertise and reopen the public hearing at its next meeting (noted by staff to be Oct. 9) so affected neighbors can be notified and have another opportunity to comment.
No formal recommendation was made at the Sept. 11 meeting. The applicant said they will continue community outreach and provide additional details requested by the commission before the re‑noticed hearing.
