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Planning commission forwards Stay the Course marina restaurant site plan; VDH permit allows up to 86 customers per day
Summary
The commission recommended the Stay the Course LLC site plan for a restaurant at Harper's Creek marina be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors; staff said the Virginia Department of Health issued an alternative on‑site sewage permit allowing up to 86 customers per day and the Board will hear the special‑exception request next week.
The Lancaster County Planning Commission on March 2026 forwarded, with a favorable recommendation, a site plan submitted by Stay the Course LLC to operate a restaurant as part of a commercial marina at 459 Harper's Creek Drive.
Planning staff told commissioners the parcel (tax map 35‑225) is M1 (Industrial Limited) and that a restaurant as part of a commercial marina is a permitted use in M1 with Board of Supervisors approval of a special exception. Staff reported compliance reviews covering the zoning ordinance, the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act requirements and erosion & sediment controls found no unresolved issues for the site plan as presented. Staff also said the applicant previously purchased nutrient credits to meet stormwater requirements where necessary.
On technical capacity, staff stated that the Virginia Department of Health has issued an alternative on‑site sewage disposal permit allowing the proposed restaurant to serve up to 86 customers per day. "The Virginia Department of Health has previously issued an alternative on‑site sewage disposal system permit which will allow up to 86 customers per day," Miss Hall said during the commission presentation.
An individual identified as Nate, present on behalf of the project, said he intends to lease the restaurant space rather than operate it himself and is completing permits and lease arrangements ahead of the Board hearing. The commission was told the marina’s ramp and docks are in place, a comfort station and paved parking are open to the public, and a bait/seafood wholesale and retail operation is operating from an on‑site covered unloading area. Staff said remaining infrastructure (septic, plumbing) is installed and the applicant is finalizing permitting and tenant arrangements.
Commissioners noted that the Board of Supervisors will hold the required special‑exception public hearing next week and that planning staff’s action here is a forward recommendation to that hearing. The commission voted to forward the site plan with a favorable recommendation; the motion carried with one voiced opposition.
The commission and staff also mentioned a planned public grand‑opening for Harper's Creek Park on April 18 at 11:00 a.m., when some marina amenities will be publicized. The Board of Supervisors’ special‑exception hearing is the next procedural step before the applicant may begin restaurant construction or operation.
