Planning commission backs recommendation to forward contractor storage‑yard permit for industrial site

The Warren County Planning Commission voted to forward CUP20251104, a conditional use permit for a contractor storage yard and large warehouse on Baugh Drive, to the Board of Supervisors with staff‑recommended conditions.

Staff described the site as approximately 71.1 acres zoned industrial in the Stevens Industrial Park area, with a conceptual plan that included a roughly 328,600‑square‑foot warehouse and two outdoor storage yards totaling about 21.76 acres. The application requests outdoor contractor storage (electrical, HVAC, power generation equipment and similar materials) that is permissible in the industrial district only with a conditional use permit.

Applicant representatives — including land‑use attorney Ashley Kyle and John Mason of Lingerfeld (Lincoln Felt) Development — said the project aligns with the comprehensive plan and anticipated minimal daily traffic (roughly 30 employees and about five trucks per day). Staff recommended conditions requiring compliance with VDOT, county building inspections, fire and rescue, public works and DEQ rules; a site plan prior to building permits; mechanical equipment screening; fully shielded lighting; landscape and buffer requirements; and fencing to screen outdoor storage areas.

Commissioners asked whether the permit would restrict future users to specific stored materials. Staff clarified that the listed uses fall under the same listed yard‑storage use, and that a compliant site plan and VDOT review would address specific operational and access requirements when a user is established. The commission voted to forward the application to the Board of Supervisors with the recommended conditions.