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After neighbor objections, Smyth County planning commission conditions approval of Walton Road housing
Summary
Following opposition from adjoining owners, the Planning Commission recommended approval of David Peake’s proposal for housing on Walton Road with conditions limiting size, access, parking and requiring a privacy fence and VDOT review.
The Smyth County Planning Commission recommended approval to the Board of Supervisors for a revised proposal to develop housing on Walton Road in Marion, imposing multiple conditions intended to address traffic, privacy and drainage concerns.
David Peake originally proposed two multi‑family buildings totaling eight units at a property on Walton Road. At a March 25, 2021 joint public hearing, several adjoining property owners expressed safety and traffic concerns, questioned the need for additional housing, and requested protections for a 10‑foot strip of land behind their properties. The Planning Commission initially voted to recommend denial of the eight‑unit proposal.
At the April 22, 2021 meeting, Mr. Peake presented a revised plan proposing two duplexes (four units) with one bedroom per unit. Adjoining owners reiterated concerns and requested stipulations. Planning staff summarized prior Board of Supervisors action, including a motion on April 13 to send the proposal back to the Planning Commission for reconsideration with the possibility of added conditions.
After deliberation the commission recommended approval with the following stipulations: construction limited to two duplexes (or one structure with four units) with a maximum of one bedroom per unit; the entrance off Walton Road be placed at the west end of the property; the parking lot must be paved or concreted with guttering for drainage; the 10‑foot strip of land behind the property must not be disturbed and a six‑foot privacy fence must be installed along the rear boundary; and a request be made to VDOT for a traffic study and potential speed‑limit and signage changes. The motion passed 7–0.
The commission’s record shows that public safety, traffic visibility at the entrance and landlord/tenant concerns were central to the discussion. Commissioners noted that single‑family dwellings remain an alternative under the zoning code and that VDOT had already issued an approved entrance permit in the earlier application file. The recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for final action.
