Planning Commission forwards 12‑lot Mulberry Grove rezoning request to March public hearing

The Buckingham County Planning Commission voted to move a rezoning request for a 12‑lot subdivision on Mulberry Grove Church Road to a public hearing in March. The commission agreed the proposal warranted further public review after the applicant and staff presented site details.

Staff introduced case 26ZMA366, saying the applicant, Dickerson Surveying, filed on behalf of landowner Red Rock Farm LLC for tax map 107, parcel 28. Staff said the full parcel is about 380 acres and the applicant seeks to rezone approximately 29.413 acres from A‑1 to Residential R‑2 to allow a 12‑lot major subdivision.

Michael Gowen of Dickerson Surveying told commissioners, “Basically, we're just trying to create a nice 12‑lot single family residential type development,” and said covenants would limit house types and that minimum home size would be about 1,500 square feet. He said lots would be “over 2 acres” and would have about 200 feet of road frontage to meet R‑2 requirements.

Staff also said it had included the zoning ordinance and subdivision ordinance excerpts with the packet and had received a traffic impact analysis from Brian Locker at VDOT. The applicant reported that Mr. McClenny, described in the packet as a soil scientist with M and M Soils, performed a preliminary perc test and that on‑site septic and wells appear feasible.

Commissioners asked about wetlands and future development of the remainder of the property. Gowen said he observed minimal, temporary drainage areas and no significant wetlands and that the owner intends timber management on the remaining acreage rather than immediate additional subdivision.

A commissioner who reviewed the site described substantial road frontage, proximity to Route 56 and nearby homes, and noted the property's nearness to an identified growth corridor. After discussion the commission moved and seconded a motion to set a public hearing for March 23, 2026; the chair called the vote and the motion carried.

The public hearing will give residents and interested parties an opportunity to speak for or against the rezoning before the planning commission takes a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors. The packet materials cited by staff include the county zoning ordinance, the subdivision ordinance and the applicant's site plans, which staff said will be displayed at the hearing.

Next procedural step: case 26ZMA366 is scheduled for public hearing on March 23, 2026.