Planning Commission recommends Special Use Permit for longtime in-home childcare at 197 Farmview Road

Wendolyn Snider, who told the joint Smyth County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors hearing she has operated an in‑home childcare for the past 10 years, received a favorable recommendation for a Special Use Permit to continue the operation at 197 Farmview Road in Marion.

Zoning Administrator Clegg Williams told the joint hearing that Snider had submitted the required owner’s affidavit and fee and that adjoining property owners had been notified. Williams said the Virginia Department of Transportation requires Ms. Snider to obtain a low-volume commercial entrance for the driveway and that Ms. Snider had been made aware of that requirement. Snider said she has been licensed with the Department of Social Services since 2007 and typically cares for up to 10 children during the day, rising to about 12 in summer months.

Neighbors George and Adrian Vipperman raised concerns about how a childcare at the site would affect adjacent farmland and farming operations. Williams said the Special Use Permit applies only to Snider’s parcel and does not alter surrounding properties’ land uses. After public comment the Planning Commission voted to recommend the Board approve the permit (vote recorded: 6 yays, 1 absent). The joint public hearing record indicates the hearing closed at 7:17 p.m., with the Planning Commission formally recommending approval at 7:18 p.m.

The recommendation will go to the Smyth County Board of Supervisors for final action. The Planning Commission’s packet noted the applicant had been notified of VDOT’s entrance requirement and that the Department of Social Services licensing process applies separately to the childcare’s operating approval.