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After lengthy debate, board gives special‑exception holder to US‑58 frontage until March 10 to secure VDOT permits and screening
Summary
The board set a hard deadline of March 10, 2026, requiring VDOT‑approved entrance plans, applicable permits, and screening that 'abates all visibility' from US‑58; the owner said she had difficulty getting VDOT responses and pleaded for time; board members cited public‑safety concerns from unresolved conditions and approved the deadline unanimously.
The Washington County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to give the holder of a special‑exception permit (originally granted in 2022) a final opportunity to comply with three conditions tied to a commercial operation on U.S. Route 58. The conditions — a commercial traffic/entrance plan submitted to and approved by VDOT and the county, all applicable permits obtained, and screening constructed to abate visibility from U.S. 58 — had not been satisfied after more than 1,000 days, staff told the board.
Mr. Richardson summarized a chain of emails between the applicant’s agent (Dan Bundy) and VDOT showing repeated submissions and comments but no final approval. "At best, Bundys have tried to demonstrate to us that they're working on being sure VDOT has the information they need to make a decision, but there's nothing from VDOT making any kind of decision approving any kind of a plan," Richardson said.
Applicant Ms. Lawson spoke directly to the board, saying she had tried repeatedly to reach VDOT and contractors, had started partial screening and a survey, and that delays had harmed her livelihood: "I've been trying to get this to take care of. I've called VDOT myself personally. They won't return my calls… I need somebody to help me," she told the board. Multiple supervisors expressed sympathy but emphasized statutory compliance and public‑safety concerns raised by the sheriff’s office about vehicles stopping on the right‑of‑way.
Staff proposed — and the board adopted — an administrative rule: treat the outstanding items as a new application window running until March 10, 2026. If, by the close of business on March 10, the county has the required VDOT‑approved entrance permit(s), applicable permits, and evidence that required screening is in place, the permit may continue. If not, the special exception will be revoked automatically without further hearing. The motion passed 6‑0.
The board directed staff to engage VDOT privately to facilitate communication and asked the applicant to provide any outstanding documentation as soon as possible. The action balanced enforcement of zoning conditions with one final opportunity for compliance.
