Goochland County planning staff recommended and the Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of a conditional use permit to allow a detached accessory family housing unit on a parcel where a two‑story single‑family house already stands.

County staff told commissioners the existing house was built in 2022 and that the proposal is for a one‑story, detached unit near the southeast corner of the lot, accessed by a spur off the existing gravel driveway; the proposed unit would be served by a separate septic system and a second well. "The property is currently developed with a 2 story single family dwelling near the Southwest corner, and it was built in 2022, so it's a fairly recent dwelling," county staff said during the presentation.

The accessory dwelling, which staff described as an "accessory family housing unit," would be limited to occupancy by family members of those living in the principal dwelling, a qualifying requirement under the county's zoning regulations. Staff said the applicant proposed that the unit be occupied by the property owner's in‑laws, which satisfies the related‑occupancy rule, and that short‑term rental was not proposed and would not be authorized through this permit. Staff also recommended standard conditions including a limit of one accessory unit, a prohibition on separate rental (including short‑term rental), installation and maintenance of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and a requirement that the county and future owners be notified of any limitations tied to the conditional use permit.

An applicant representative described the planned use as a retirement home for the owner's in‑laws. "They're trying to build a retirement home to move down. They're in their seventies in Pittsburgh, and it's real hard for us to get up there," the applicant representative said, noting possible health concerns as part of the rationale for the request.

During questions, a commissioner raised emergency access concerns related to a gate at the driveway entrance. The applicant representative said the gate is removable and that they would ensure it could be opened for emergency vehicles: "It's a cattle gate. You can lift it off of the, the post," the representative said, and added the gate would not be kept locked in a way that would hinder emergency services.

The chair opened the public hearing; no members of the public spoke and the hearing was closed. A commissioner then moved that the commission recommend approval of Conditional Use Permit CU20250009, application by Joseph Lilly, subject to the staff‑recommended conditions. After a second, the commission voted 5‑0 in favor. Commissioners Kimberly, Patuck, Kowalski, McLaughlin and Dean all voted aye.

The Planning Commission's recommendation moves the case to the Goochland County Board of Supervisors, where the matter is tentatively scheduled for consideration on Feb. 3, 2026.

No formal appeals, conditions beyond those recommended, or contested testimony were recorded during the hearing.