Planning commission recommends several CUPs and a rezoning to the Board of Supervisors

The Goochland County Planning Commission recommended approval on Feb. 27 of multiple land-use applications and will forward the cases to the Board of Supervisors with recommendations.

Strickland Manufacturing: County planner John Michael Whelan presented a conditional use permit amendment for Strickland MFG (1090 Merchants Lane) to remove boat and recreational-vehicle storage, add an on-site welding shop and a new commercial office building, and to update the CUP's conceptual layout. Whelan said the amended CUP would carry similar conditions as the prior approval; staff recommended an expiration date of March 2030. Sean O'Reilly, representing Strickland, said the company has operated locally for about 10 years and said the change supports continued employment. With no public speakers at the hearing, the commission voted 5-0 to recommend approval; the case is expected to be scheduled before the Board of Supervisors on April 15, 2025.

Rodney Harrison renewal: Planner Ben Ellis presented a renewal for a CUP that has governed utility-trailer, utility-shed and travel-trailer display and sale since 1988, with multiple prior renewals. Staff proposed updated condition language and a 15-year renewal period; no public concerns were raised at the community meeting and the commission voted 5-0 to recommend approval, with the case also expected for Board review on April 15, 2025.

Columbia Gas Transmission: Whelan presented an amendment to a long-standing CUP for a compressor station at 1436 Hermitage Road to add a new office building, maintain and enforce an existing supplemental planting buffer along Hunting Ridge Road and require a revised plan of development be approved before the new facility may be used. Whelan noted the property has been an operating compressor station for about 54 years and that supplemental buffering installed during a 2022 improvement will be maintained. The commission recommended approval by a 5-0 vote.

Hofer rezoning and neighborhood comments: The commission reviewed a rezoning request by Janine and John Corey Hofer to rezone 2.002 acres at 12900 Patterson Avenue from R-3 to RO to allow a professional office (the applicants plan to relocate a wealth-management firm). Jennifer Mullen, counsel for the applicants, described plans to demolish two existing houses, renovate and expand the existing dwelling on the site for office use, and install perimeter landscaping and screening. Neighbors attending the hearing urged larger landscaping stock and careful lighting controls. "The only concern that we have is the landscaping' the size of the landscaping," said Sheree Lane of the Creekmoor Park architectural review committee. Larry Lane, president of the Creekmoor Park HOA, asked for robust plant sizes and strict lighting limits to avoid light spill on adjacent homes. Mullen said the proffered buffer will include evergreens planted at 4 feet that grow rapidly, and that lighting would be residential scale with parking security lighting reduced or turned off in the evening when code permits. The commission voted 5-0 to recommend approval and scheduled the case to go before the Board of Supervisors on April 15, 2025.

All recommendations from the Planning Commission are advisory to the Board of Supervisors; the transcript notes the Board hearing dates are subject to change.