Planning commission recommends denying rezoning for Rockwell Road shed display

The Lynchburg Planning Commission on Nov. 13 recommended that City Council deny GRIT Land Company LLC’s petition to amend the future land use map and rezone about 0.267 acres at 286 Rockwell Road from B-3 (Community Business District) to B-5 C (General Business District) to permit off-site advertising for a shed business.

Planning staff told the commission the parcel was annexed in 1976, was zoned B-3 in 1978, currently displays prefabricated sheds and signage for a shed business located off-site, and is in violation of the city’s zoning ordinance. Staff said the comprehensive plan and the Tyriano and Pleasant Valley neighborhood plan identify U.S. 460 as a city gateway and call for protecting gateway visual qualities; staff recommended denial to preserve neighborhood character and gateway appearance.

Robert Wallace, who identified himself as representing the property owner/Great Land Company, said the site is used only for visibility and advertising and that no sales, staffing, or daily operations occur there. "We’re looking over the code…we were under the impression we were within the code," Wallace told the commission, and argued setbacks and an existing sewer line make new development on the small parcel impractical. He also said Route 460 is a commercial corridor and estimated "40,000 vehicles a day" pass the site.

Several neighbors opposed the rezoning at the public hearing. Lloyd Templeton said the display is visible from his home and called it an "eyesore," arguing the location is impractical for advertising because vehicles travel too fast to read signs. Wanda Womack told commissioners she has witnessed unsafe turning behavior near the site and said the display distracts drivers near a hill where tractor-trailers pass at high speed.

Commissioners asked staff what additional uses a B-5 rezoning would allow. Staff said a B-5 designation could permit heavier commercial uses — including lumber yards, heavy equipment storage and auto sales — and urged the commission to consider the full range of permitted uses when weighing the petition. Commissioners also noted there is no formal gateway zoning overlay, though the comprehensive and neighborhood plans call on officials to consider gateway impacts when land-use changes are proposed.

After site visits and conversations with residents, a commissioner moved to decline the petition. The motion was seconded and the commission voted to deny the rezoning; the chair stated the vote was unanimous. Commissioners told the applicant that the matter will proceed to City Council, which may reach a different decision.

The commission approved the Oct. 8, 2025 minutes earlier in the meeting and adjourned. City Council will consider the rezoning petition at a future meeting; no date was specified during the hearing.