Southampton County planning commission approves comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning for feed and farm supply store on U.S. 460

The Southampton County Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve a comprehensive plan map amendment and a companion rezoning request that will allow a feed and farm supply store and adjacent greenhouse on a 2.5-acre portion of a 22.88-acre parcel along U.S. 460.

At a public hearing, Karl Lehi, president and CEO of Franklin Southampton Economic Development, told commissioners the proposed store would "be a positive impact on Ivor, especially as that corridor is starting to grow," and that the business would serve agricultural customers in the area.

The commission's written application text references the applicant as "Stephen A. Patton," but the person at the hearing identified himself as Steve Payton and described the project. Payton said a traffic study with the Virginia Department of Transportation found the site did not require turn lanes, adding, "Because it's already 4 lane there," and that he planned no uses other than a feed and farm supply store and a greenhouse.

A member of the public, Frank Erkhart of the Burland High Board District, expressed concern about traffic safety at nearby intersections, noting past accidents and urging the commission to consider turn lanes or other mitigation if traffic increases.

Commission members discussed conditioning the rezoning on the submitted site plan so that the approval would apply only to the 2.5-acre portion proposed for commercial use; the remainder of the parcel (about 20.38 acres) will remain zoned M-1 (industrial). After discussion, a motion to approve the comprehensive plan amendment and a motion to approve the rezoning to B-2 conditioned on the site plan were made and the commission approved both motions unanimously. The transcript does not list a roll-call vote or individual tallies.

The application identifies the property as Parcel 7-46 B near the intersection of Holloman Drive and U.S. 460. The commission noted the site has been designated industrial on the county map since the 2001 comprehensive plan; approving the amendment changes the plan designation for the 2.5-acre portion to commercial and allows the rezoning to B-2 under Article 9, Section 18-222 (paragraphs 14 and 19) as cited in the application.

Next steps: The rezoning was approved conditioned on the current site plan; the commission and applicant will follow usual permitting steps, including any final site-plan review and county administrative requirements before development begins.