Residents urge council to deny rezoning request for parcel at Robin Circle

A standing‑room crowd told Bristol City Council on April 14 that a proposal to rezone a 1.42‑acre lot at the intersection of Robin Circle, Commerce Court and Bottom Road would harm safety, quiet and property values.

Residents testified during a joint public hearing on zoning map amendment ZMA01‑2026 that the single‑entry layout of Robin Circle and the existing traffic signal at the intersection make the neighborhood especially vulnerable to increased commercial traffic. "We're asking that that proposal to reszone be turned down," said Getta Evans, speaking for the Robin Circle/Green Valley neighborhood. "We have 136 houses in that subdivision that will be impacted by this decision to reszone."

Isaac Young, who said he lives directly across from the parcel, framed his opposition around safety and community character. "Introducing commercial traffic into a residential loop like this dramatically increases risk," Young said. "We have children who live and play here. Families who walk, ride bikes, and go about their lives expecting a reasonable level of safety." Elizabeth Hower, who has lived at the entrance to Robin Circle since 1983, told council this was the fourth rezoning attempt for the same property and urged officials to preserve the neighborhood. Several speakers noted a heavy senior presence in the subdivision and said older residents drive more slowly and face additional risk if a business were located at the intersection.

Staff presented the application and background. Planning‑division staffer Mr. Dietrich told council the applicant (represented by Garrett Addington) and property owner (Johnson Bonum LLC) seek to change the parcel's zoning from R1 to B3C (general business, conditional). Dietrich noted the applicant has proffered to remove four specific use categories that would otherwise be permitted in B3—museum, overnight recreational development, private school, and an "unsheltered unsheltered day center"—but that no single use is specified as part of the map amendment. He also summarized prior history: earlier rezoning attempts in 1995, 2006 and 2008 had either been withdrawn or denied.

Dietrich said the request was advertised and notified in compliance with Virginia Code and that the Planning Commission will take the matter up at its April 20 meeting (noon, same chamber). Council first reading is scheduled for April 28 if the matter advances. No final council vote on the rezoning was taken at the April 14 meeting; the hearing was closed and the item was placed for further consideration.

What happens next: the Planning Commission will make a recommendation April 20; council could take first reading on April 28. If council advances the amendment, additional public notice and the ordinance process will follow. Council members thanked residents for coming out and said the input will inform the deliberation.