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Montgomery County panel approves rezoning for Exit 109 corridor, clearing way for hotel and convenience uses
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Summary
The Montgomery County Planning Commission voted to rezone two small parcels and adjoining vacated right-of-way along the Route 177/Exit 109 corridor to General Business (GB) with existing proffers, enabling proposed development that includes a WoodSpring Suites hotel and associated commercial uses; commissioners raised dark-sky and lighting questions but heard no public opposition.
The Montgomery County Planning Commission on Jan. 14 approved RZ20260969, a two-part rezoning request that converts a 0.67-acre Barn Road parcel and adjacent strips of vacated right-of-way along Meadow Creek/Interstate 81 from Agricultural (A-1) and Conservation (C-1) to General Business (GB) under the concept plan and proffered conditions already on file.
Planner Kim Wright summarized the request and the site's permit history, noting earlier rezonings and proffer amendments in 2009, 2010 and 2024 and advising the commission that county code requires land added to the jurisdiction via vacated right-of-way to be classified initially as C-1, which necessitated the rezoning cleanup. Wright said water and sewer are available, VDOT access and permits will be required for improvements, and the request does not exceed prior traffic estimates and does not trigger a VDOT-mandated traffic impact analysis.
Steve Simonis of Westwood Professional Services, representing the applicant, described the proposed private investment and employment benefits. "This would be a WoodSpring Suites extended stay hotel," Simonis said, adding the hotel alone represents an estimated $11,000,000 construction investment and might yield 20 to 25 permanent local jobs. He also cited estimated monthly lodging-tax revenue of $5,000 to $10,000 and annual real-estate-tax revenue of roughly $15,000 to $30,000.
Commissioners focused questions on exterior lighting and whether the project would adhere to dark-sky considerations. Wright said lighting plans and photometric data are reviewed at site plan stage and that rezoning does not permit the commission to impose new conditions that are not proffered by the owner. She added that county ordinance restrictions on glare and spillover apply and that site-plan review will require compliance.
Chair Foster opened the public hearing and noted no members of the public had signed to speak; the hearing was closed with no public opposition recorded. The commission then separately moved to approve Subsection A (the Barn Road parcel) and Subsection B (the Meadow Creek vacated right-of-way). Roll-call tallies recorded were: Crowell — yes; Rice — yes; Miller — no; Simpkins — yes; Vice Chair Lankes — yes; Chair Foster — yes for Subsection A; and Rice — yes; Miller — no; Simpkins — yes; Kroll — yes; Vice Chair Lankes — yes; Chair Foster — yes for Subsection B. Both motions carried.
Next steps for the project include any required VDOT land-use permits, submission of a detailed site plan showing access points, a lighting/photometrics plan and any necessary stormwater and grading approvals during the site-plan phase. Staff reiterated that the approved rezoning leaves the previously authorized proffers unchanged and that future development will be subject to those proffers and standard county review.
