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Board approves rezoning of 250-acre Old Orchard Farm to agricultural-residential after community support
Summary
Roanoke County supervisors unanimously approved a petition to rezone about 250 acres owned by Old Orchard Farm LLC from residential districts to AR agricultural-residential after staff presentations, a petitioner statement and several neighbors voiced support.
Roanoke County supervisors approved a petition by Old Orchard Farm LLC to rezone approximately 250 acres from R1 and R2 residential districts to AR agricultural-residential following a second-reading and public hearing.
Philip Thompson, the county’s Director of Planning, told the board the request covered seven parcels and noted staff outreach included mailing 99 letters to adjoining property owners and a March 16 community meeting attended by about 29 residents. Thompson said the site is topographically steep in places, includes accessory agricultural buildings and a stable under construction, and that the planning commission recommended approval because the proposed agricultural uses align with the property’s history and local support.
Petitioner Whit Ellman, who identified himself as one of the family owners, told the board the application is intended to preserve and return the land to working-farm uses rather than enable subdivision development. "This isn't a large corporation. It's really our family," Ellman said, and he asked the supervisors to grant the clarity AR zoning provides for boarding horses, agritourism and related uses. Two nearby residents, Dennis Brooks and Rick Gerald, spoke during public comment in support, saying the owners had improved the property and neighbors preferred it remain undeveloped.
A board member read findings noting the planning commission's recommendation, the property's steep terrain and the expressed community support, then moved to approve the rezoning. The clerk recorded a roll-call vote: Mr. Radford, Mrs. Hooker, Mr. North, Mr. Mahoney and Mrs. Shepard all voted yes. The motion passed 5-0.
The county record notes the petition describes the rezoning as converting roughly 207 acres zoned R1 and 43 acres zoned R2 to AR in the Hollands magisterial district. Planning staff noted the property was historically agricultural and that, per the county's housing study, it is not in the highest-ranked developable tier. No conditions placing additional limits on use were recorded in the board motion. The board adjourned after completing the evening’s agenda.
