Planning Commission Recommends Conditional Use Permit for Moses Farm Market

The Lunenburg County Planning Commission on March 7 unanimously recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve Conditional Use Permit (CUP 4-23) for Jason and Ella Moses to operate a retail store and shop, livestock auction, flea market and food sales on parcels at 368 KV Road in Victoria, Virginia.

The applicants told the commission they purchased the existing livestock market and plan to revive the structure as a farm hub offering farm essentials, farm-fresh produce and education on healthy foods, animal safety, homesteading and self-sufficiency. They said an added greenhouse would create job opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.

The commission’s recommendation carried a set of conditions intended to address health, safety and local impacts. Conditions require adherence to fire-code maximum occupancy, adequate on-site room and access for law enforcement, fire and EMS, and compliance with all Uniform Building Codes and state licensure where required. The applicants must obtain any necessary building permits for additional structures and obtain a building permit for a store/commercial kitchen within two years of CUP approval; if a permit for the kitchen is not obtained within two years, the applicants must reapply for a new CUP for that use. The permit is limited to the applicants and does not run with the land.

Other conditions read at the meeting require compliance with Virginia Department of Health food-preparation and sanitation rules, adherence to Virginia Department of Agriculture rules for livestock operations, provision of potable water and an on-site sewage solution or sewer connection, and measures to prevent roadside parking or impeded flow on Route 40. The clerk read a VDOT (Virginia Department of Transportation) letter noting the existing entrance was sufficient, and the commission added a requirement for weekly removal of refuse and porta-john maintenance (amended at the meeting to allow cleaning “as needed”). Overnight accommodations are prohibited.

Commissioner Thompson moved to recommend approval with the amended porta-john language; Commissioner Drummond seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Present commissioners recorded their support and the item will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for final action.

The commission did not take a final, county-level action beyond the recommendation; the Board of Supervisors will review the CUP at a later date.