Planning Commission recommends approval for Williamsburg Pottery proffer and master plan amendment to allow church use

The Planning Commission voted to recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve a rezoning and master plan amendment to permit institutional use at Building B of the Williamsburg Pottery site, enabling a local church to establish a 1,000‑seat auditorium.

Staff summary and proffers County planning staff described the request as a master plan amendment necessary to allow a place of public assembly; staff recommended approval subject to proffers. Key proffers described in the staff presentation include a parking easement providing 50 additional spaces to supplement the 208 spaces on site (staff noted the ordinance requires 200 parking spaces for a 1,000-seat assembly), a traffic-management proffer and an interval proffer limiting sequence of assembly events. Staff corrected an internal inconsistency and said the intended interval between assemblies exceeding 50 people is 30 minutes (not one hour) and that the packet will reflect the corrected interval.

Applicant presentation and community support Pastor Sean Brown, founding pastor of the applicant church, described the congregation’s regional presence, said the church seeks to revitalize Building B with minimal exterior changes and reiterated its experience managing parking and traffic at other campuses. Pastor Brown said the church’s ministries include food distribution, English classes and youth theater programs. Several public speakers, including church staff and local supporters, urged approval and described the pottery site as an underutilized property that the church would revitalize.

Outcome and next steps Commissioner Frank Polster moved to recommend approval and the roll call vote recorded unanimous support; the motion carried. The Planning Commission’s recommendation will go to the Board of Supervisors for final action with the proffers and corrected proffer language (30‑minute interval) included in the record.

Quote “We are looking to purchase Pottery Building B and we’re looking to house our church and have a permanent place for our church,” Pastor Sean Brown said in his presentation, describing plans for a 1,000‑seat auditorium and community services.

Implementation notes Staff and the applicant will ensure the proffer language accurately reflects the 30‑minute interval between assemblies and that the parking easement is recorded prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy, as included in proffer language described at the hearing.