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Supervisors approve rezoning of 44.33-acre Harborwood property for equestrian and agritourism uses
Summary
The board unanimously rezoned a 44.33-acre Harborwood Road parcel from R1S to AR, allowing uses such as bed-and-breakfast, agritourism and commercial stables; the owners said the change lets the family pursue an equestrian business and small-scale visitor stays.
Roanoke County supervisors voted to rezone roughly 44.33 acres owned by Scott and Heather Thompson from R1S (low-density residential with a special use permit) to AR agricultural-residential after a second-reading and public hearing.
Philip Thompson, the county’s Director of Planning, described the property north of Green Hill Park and said the parcel includes an historic farmhouse (circa 1829), a short-term rental constructed in 2022 and a prior 2011 special use permit for a private stable. Staff told the board the AR district would permit single-family dwellings, short-term rentals, bed-and-breakfasts, agricultural uses, agritourism and commercial stables — uses the petitioners proposed.
Scott Thompson, the petitioner, said he and his wife moved to the property two years ago and described family plans to operate the land as an equestrian enterprise and to host small groups. "All three of my kids... want to be in the equestrian business of some sort," he said, explaining the rezoning would allow the family to board and train horses and to offer guest stays that support those activities. Planning staff reported the planning commission recommended approval; the commission record noted two speakers had opposed at the commission hearing over traffic, bridge access and notification concerns, but no citizens signed up to speak at the board’s public hearing.
A supervisor moved to approve the rezoning and the clerk recorded a roll-call vote with Mr. Radford, Mrs. Hooker, Mr. North, Mr. Mahoney and Mrs. Shepard all voting yes. The motion passed 5-0.
The petition lists the site addresses and notes prior special-use approvals; planning staff said letters were sent to 33 adjacent property owners as part of the outreach and the proposed concept includes replacing the old farmhouse and adding trails, a vegetable garden and a potential orchard. The record shows the board approved the rezoning as requested.
