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Residents urge pause on business license for Wildflower Lane VRBO amid septic, safety and deed concerns
Summary
Neighbors of 120 Wildflower Lane told the Page County Board of Supervisors that a property being marketed as a large short‑term rental appears to lack septic permits, a certificate of occupancy and contains new recreational amenities; the board asked staff to delay any business license and put the matter on the Dec. 1 agenda for staff and the applicant to present.
Residents in the Wildflower Lane subdivision told the Page County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 17 that a newly listed VRBO at 120 Wildflower Lane has fundamentally changed the character and safety of their neighborhood and should not receive a business license without fuller review.
Several residents described unpermitted changes and large-group advertising. "She wants to put 18 people in what is a currently 3 bedroom single family home," one resident said, and others reported a newly built fire pit, an outdoor barrel sauna and a miniature golf area that they say make the house function more like a recreation facility than a residence.
Charlotte Mattis, who said she was among the subdivision's early residents, told the board the property's deed states the lots are "for residential purpose only" and that advertising a commercial operation violates that conveyance. Greg Beamish raised public‑health concerns after reporting that the Virginia Department of Health had "no record that a septic system has ever been permitted, let alone installed," and asked the board to consider a stop‑work or other enforcement if warranted.
County staff, including the building official and zoning administrator, said they have investigated complaints and are awaiting a determination from the health department on septic/wastewater issues. A county staff member also advised the board that short‑term rentals are generally categorized as residential uses under current zoning rules and that a deed dispute is typically a private enforcement matter, though staff would process administrative reviews for permits and business licensing.
Supervisors debated options including directing staff to hold issuance of a business license. Several members said a temporary pause until the applicant and staff could present details would be a reasonable middle ground. The chair summarized the outcome as a request by consensus: staff should not issue a business license related to this property before the Dec. 1 meeting, and the matter will be placed on the Dec. 1 agenda so the applicant and staff can present information and the board can consider next steps.
The board also noted that any construction done without proper permits is at risk and, if out of compliance, could be subject to enforcement action. The administration and building/zoning staff indicated they will continue their investigations and report back at the December meeting.
What happens next: the board placed the Wildflower Lane item on the Dec. 1 agenda and asked staff to bring findings and the applicant so supervisors can hear both sides before any license is issued.
