Planning commission forwards exception so some bay doors may face New Kent Highway

The New Kent County Planning Commission on Feb. 17 voted to forward an exception request that would allow some warehouse bay doors to face New Kent Highway, sending the item with a favorable recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.

Patrick Silva, principal planner for New Kent County, told commissioners the request — filed on behalf of Josh McDonald of Kimley‑Horn for Tax Map Parcel 37‑1 — seeks relief from section 98‑10‑69, subsection a(4), “which prohibits bay doors from facing public rights‑of‑way” within the Commerce Corridor Overlay District. Silva said the proposal envisions two logistics buildings, roughly 250,000 and 530,000 square feet, and that significant physical constraints on the site — including Resource Protection Areas (RPAs) and wetlands — limit options to orient the buildings away from the highway.

“Staff does feel comfortable recommending approval of this exception request,” Silva said, citing the code findings: the requested relief is reasonably necessary given on‑site constraints, would not meaningfully affect transportation level of service, and can be mitigated visually by retaining and supplementing the existing vegetative buffer.

Commissioners sought firmer commitments on landscaping and screen plantings. Several members urged specifying planting density and species in any approval so the buffer is immediately effective and targets “hot spots” where bay doors are most visible. Silva said a formal landscape plan will accompany the site‑plan submission and that the commission could attach conditions requiring a denser planting schedule or specific species at the time of approval.

Reverend Hathaway moved to adopt Resolution PC‑326 to forward the exception with a favorable recommendation; the motion passed on roll call with nine ayes and one abstention (Mr. Moyer). The commission recommended that the Board of Supervisors consider conditions that codify a planting schedule or other visual‑screening requirements before site‑plan approval.

Josh McDonald of Kimley‑Horn was present for the applicant. Silva said the applicant proposes to retain an existing vegetative buffer along New Kent Highway and to plant additional evergreen screening at the site plan stage to reduce visibility of the bay doors from the road.

The item will next be scheduled for consideration by the New Kent County Board of Supervisors; the Planning Commission’s vote forwards the referral with a favorable recommendation but does not itself change the zoning code.

Notes: The exception request specifically cited §98‑10‑69(a)(4). Staff highlighted wetlands and RPAs as primary constraints; the applicant proposes additional evergreen plantings to supplement the existing buffer.