Planning panel recommends approval for Westlake Village Business Park South development

The Franklin County Planning Commission on Feb. 10 recommended approval of a zoning map amendment and two special-use permits for the Westlake Village Business Park South project, clearing the way for about 103 single-family detached homes, five commercial outparcels and private streets on approximately 82.70 acres along Booker T. Washington Highway.

County Administrator Steve Sandy told the commission the proposal would place roughly 103 residential lots on 45.2 acres (about 2.28 houses per acre), preserve roughly 24.5 acres of open space, and provide about 13 acres for five commercial outparcels adjacent to Route 122. The conceptual plan includes a 200-foot natural buffer at the rear of the property and a 50-foot buffer where the site borders Booker T. Washington National Monument. The development would be served by public water and sewer from the Western Virginia Water Authority, and the applicant proposes private streets tied to the Westlake Towne Center road network.

Staff said the application requests three deviations from the zoning ordinance: a minimum residential lot area of 8,000 square feet, a minimum lot width of 60 feet for lots served by public water and sewer, and a reduced front setback of 25 feet from private street rights-of-way. Planners recommended approval, concluding the request conforms with the PCD (Planned Commercial Development) district, the county’s Comprehensive Plan and the Westlake-Hales Ford Village Plan, and recommended two proffers: that development conform generally to the Master Plan Exhibit (dated Dec. 29, 2025, revised Jan. 5, 2026) and that the developer collaborate with the county on trail connections tied to a grant-funded trail project.

Developer Alexander Boone told the commission the project would add housing diversity and a walkable neighborhood connected to Westlake Towne Center, and estimated home prices in the low $400,000s. He said existing vegetation and the proposed buffers would protect the adjacent Booker T. Washington National Monument. No members of the public spoke during the public-comment opportunities for these items.

Commissioner Ron Jefferson moved to approve the zoning map amendment with the two staff proffers and three deviations; Commissioner Angie McGhee seconded. A roll-call vote approved the rezoning 5-0-2-0. The commission then approved a special-use permit to allow the 103 single-family dwellings with eight staff conditions (including required plats, WVWA approvals, VDOT entrance compliance and a 200-foot buffer to the monument) and a second special-use permit allowing private streets with three conditions (including recording a road maintenance agreement and posting surety until certification of construction). Both motions passed by the same 5-0-2-0 tally.

All three cases will be heard by the Franklin County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 17, 2026. Planning staff noted that two phone inquiries were received about the rezoning and special-use permit for homes; no formal written objections were recorded in the Planning Commission record presented at the hearing.

What happens next: the Board of Supervisors will conduct the public hearing and decide whether to grant the rezoning and permits. If approved, the developer must submit required plats, obtain WVWA approvals and secure VDOT and county permits before site work begins.