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Board approves rezoning and proffers for veterinary clinic after resident opposition; new proffer bans overnight boarding
Summary
Supervisors approved a rezoning/proffer amendment to allow a roughly 6,300-square-foot veterinary clinic at Mechanicsville Turnpike and West Haven Drive with 15 proffers including transportation improvements, enhanced buffering and a new explicit proffer that prohibits animal boarding and overnight stays; one nearby resident opposed the project citing notice and traffic concerns.
The Hanover County Board of Supervisors approved a rezoning and proffer amendment Sept. 24 that will allow construction of an approximately 6,300-square-foot veterinary clinic on a B-1 parcel at the intersection of Mechanicsville Turnpike (U.S. 360) and West Haven Drive in the Henry District.
Deputy Planning Director Andrew Pompey said the site was rezoned in 1992 with proffers limiting uses and building size; the applicant proposed amending those proffers to permit the clinic and a larger building footprint. Staff described a conceptual plan showing the new clinic adjacent to an existing art gallery, a single access from West Haven Drive (closure of the Mechanicsville Turnpike access before certificate of occupancy), and proffered transportation improvements including a right-turn lane from westbound Mechanicsville Turnpike and a right-turn taper from West Haven Drive. The applicant committed to 15 proffered conditions addressing buffering, tree preservation, parking and lighting; hours of operation were limited to 6 a.m.–9 p.m.
Dr. Andrew McDougall, representing Riverbound Veterinary Clinic, told the board his practice performs surgeries but said nothing will stay overnight. Resident Angela L. Jones (West Haven Drive) spoke in opposition, saying residents were “blindsided” by notice and worried about traffic and safety on the single-entry street. Supervisor Davis said he had met with neighbors and worked to secure proffers to mitigate impacts; Supervisor Dibble suggested adding an explicit proffer banning boarding and overnight stays to reassure neighbors. The board recessed to allow staff and the applicant to draft the proffer language, then returned and voted to approve the rezoning with an added proffer shown on the screen: "No animal boarding or overnight pet stays will occur," and hours limited to 6 a.m.–9 p.m.
The planning commission had previously recommended approval 7–0. The board approved the rezoning by voice vote. The applicant must meet the proffers, close the Mechanicsville Turnpike access before certificate of occupancy, and construct the proffered turn-lane improvements as specified.
