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Board approves special exception for large Midland church after applicant reduces size and agrees easement
Summary
Fauquier supervisors approved SPEX25023956 for the Church of God at Midland after applicants reduced building sizes, cut parking and moved a primary drain field; neighbors raised concerns about traffic, septic and future expansion despite applicant agreements to an easement to limit future growth.
The Fauquier County Board of Supervisors voted Dec. 11 to approve special exception SPEX25023956 for the Church of God at Midland, a proposed major place of worship on roughly 61 acres near Route 28 and Metz Road.
Applicant representatives told the board they had substantially revised the proposal since the planning commission hearing: the main building was reduced from about 35,000 to 21,500 square feet, an auxiliary building cut from roughly 17,500 to about 13,250 square feet, parking was reduced from 261 to 150 spaces, the primary drain field was relocated about 900 feet farther from the western property line, seating capacity was reduced by about 40 people, and the annual event length was shortened from seven days to four days. The applicant also agreed to an easement on the remainder of the parcel to restrict future expansion.
Gifford Hampshire, representing the applicant, said the project complies with the comprehensive plan’s guidance for institutional uses in the rural district and emphasized the added setbacks, buffers and tree conservation. “We have reduction in size, we have the honoring of the buffers and the intrinsic rural character,” Hampshire said.
Opponents and neighboring landowners voiced concerns at the public hearing about traffic congestion on Route 28, septic suitability for the facility, runoff and the potential for future expansion that could strain local infrastructure. Russell Poland, a joining landowner, said the property’s septic system raised particular concern and urged the board to consider sewer needs. Louis Ray, a nearby resident, urged approval but framed it in seasonal terms as a community benefit.
Board members said they were persuaded by the applicant’s concessions and the proposed easement. One supervisor noted the approval extinguished six development rights, a point that gave the board pause but did not change votes in favor. The board’s discussion emphasized balancing potential housing development against the proposed institutional use and the value of preserving open land.
Outcome: The board moved, seconded and carried the special exception motion. Conditions discussed included the reduced footprints, setback and buffer measures and the easement limiting expansion.
Provenance: Discussion and public comments are on the record at the Dec. 11 meeting; the application and conditions were also discussed earlier at the planning commission meeting, per staff comments in the packet.
