Commission forwards Monterey Church special‑exception application to Board of Supervisors with recommendation to approve

Planning staff presented a special‑exception application from Monterey Church and the commission voted to forward the application to the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation of approval. Staff said the church seeks a Category 6 special exception for a major place of worship on an 8.2‑acre commercially zoned parcel about 600 feet west of the James Madison Highway and Opel Road intersection in Opel.

Staff described the proposal as a two‑phase project. Phase 1 would use existing buildings and parking and allow one Sunday service with up to 80 attendees, a Wednesday evening fellowship and daily office operations for about eight employees. Phase 2 would add an approximately 8,400‑square‑foot one‑story building containing a worship space for up to 300 people, nursery and office spaces; midweek fellowship and classes in Phase 2 were described as serving about 100 people. Staff said the proposal includes roughly 48 new parking spaces (bringing the total to about 95), underground stormwater detention, and that any future expansion would require a separate special exception.

On utilities and traffic, staff reported that public water is expected to be available to the property in approximately two years and that the applicant would be required to connect to public water before Phase 2. Staff also said a wastewater report indicates the existing on‑site system is sufficient for both phases and that the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has studied the nearby intersection for future safety and operational improvements. Based on those studies and projections, staff stated that anticipated traffic volumes from the church are "not significant." The transcript records that staff received one letter of comment.

Brian James, identified in the record as pastor of Monterey Church, told the commission the congregation has operated in the Warrenton/Fauquier County area for about 10 years and hopes the new location will improve ministry space, youth and children’s programming and other services. After the public hearing was opened and no other speakers came forward, the chair moved to send Special Exception SPEX‑252534 to the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation of approval; the motion was seconded. An unnamed commissioner said they had reviewed transportation questions and supported the motion. The chair called for a voice vote and members replied "Aye." The transcript does not include a roll‑call or numeric vote tally.

Next steps: the transcript shows the commission forwarded its recommendation to the Board of Supervisors; the record does not include a date for when the Board will consider the application or further details about any remaining review criteria the Board will apply.