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Planning panel backs amended CUP to add home-based landscaping business at Songburn Lane property
Summary
The Goochland Planning Commission recommended approval (5-0) of an amendment to a conditional use permit for a Songburn Lane property to remove prior dwelling-size caps and allow a home-based landscaping business limited to on-site office and equipment storage; access and vehicle, signage and renewal conditions were imposed.
The Goochland County Planning Commission on Dec. 19 recommended approval, by a 5-0 vote, of an amendment to conditional use permit CU2024-00020 for a property at 375 Songburn Lane that would remove prior size limits on principal and accessory dwelling units and add a home-based landscaping business limited to on-site office and equipment and vehicle storage.
Ray Cash, assistant director of community development, told commissioners the applicants seek to update the 2018 approval to align with current standard conditions. Cash said the business would operate primarily off-site and would not be open to customers; on-site activity would be limited to an office trailer, equipment storage and parking within the area outlined on the conceptual plan. He said staff included specific conditions to limit the location, number and types of vehicles and trailers allowed on the property.
The staff presentation noted buffers between the subject parcel and the Songbird residential planned unit development, and reiterated that business access must be by Songbird Lane rather than a future stub road. Cash also said proposed conditions would restrict signage to no more than 9 square feet and require that business-related parking not be within 35 feet of a property line.
Commissioners asked whether there are limits on employees who might park on site and whether Songbird Lane will meet VDOT and fire-access requirements; Cash said there is no limit on the number of employees who may come to the site but that off-site business activity makes it difficult to impose hours for vehicle movement. He added that the Songbird road improvements, as submitted with the adjacent development, will provide sufficient turnaround and fire access when constructed.
Chair moved to recommend approval “subject to the imposed conditions as presented,” the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. The planning commission record states the case will be scheduled for a Board of Supervisors public hearing on Feb. 4, 2025 with the commission’s recommendation of approval.
The staff report references county zoning ordinance section 15.1.12 and related provisions (15.2.85(a)) as the statutory basis for requiring a CUP for the proposed changes. The record shows the amendment removes earlier size caps for the dwelling units and sets renewal terms (a 10-year renewal for the detached accessory family housing unit in this case) and a 5-year renewal for the home-based business portion, consistent with staff recommendations.
Next steps: the Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on Feb. 4, 2025 and act on the planning commission’s recommendation.
