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Orange County approves rezoning to allow a second residence at historic Ehart property
Summary
The board voted 5-0 to rezone a 3.5-acre parcel on Spottswood Trail from limited commercial to limited residential, allowing the Ehart family to add a second, single-level home while preserving an 1861 building on the lot; VDOT recommended entrance coordination during permitting.
The Orange County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to approve REZ2025-00437, rezoning tax map parcel 53-83 (about 3.5 acres at 3080 Spottswood Trail) from limited commercial to limited residential to permit a second residence on the lot.
Kira Davis, planner for Orange County, told the board that the parcel is currently zoned limited commercial and that VDOT reviewed the application and recommended removing the entrance closest to the Route 33/Route 644 intersection; she noted a second residence would add about "10 vehicle trips per day" to Route 33 and that coordination with VDOT during permitting is encouraged. Davis also said the planning commission recommended approval by a 4-0 vote.
Applicants Tina Caldwell Ehart and Boyd Ehart told the board they plan a smaller, single-level home so grandchildren can safely visit and to avoid the stairs in the existing 1861 house. "The purpose of the zoning request is that the house that we currently live in was built in 1861... As we age, we are not wanting those steps to have to go up into," Tina Caldwell Ehart said.
Board members discussed the site and agreed rezoning reduces the risk that the historic building would be replaced with a more intensive commercial use. During roll call, Crystal Hale, Supervisor Nickel, Chairman Johnson, Supervisor Van Hoven and Supervisor Marshall all voted aye; the motion passed 5-0.
The board chair noted VDOT’s access recommendations are not conditions of rezoning but should be addressed during permitting. The approval preserves the property’s existing building while allowing the family to construct the second residence in the rear of the lot.
The county will incorporate VDOT coordination and any required entrance and land-use permits during the building and permitting process.
