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Planning commission approves TREK Properties exception for new River Road West access despite public plea to defer
Summary
The Goochland County Planning Commission voted 5-0 Feb. 27 to grant a subdivision exception allowing an additional access onto River Road West for a new lot, approving staff-recommended conditions after a resident urged the commission to defer a related District 2 subdivision ordinance amendment for more public notice.
The Goochland County Planning Commission on Feb. 27 approved a subdivision-ordinance exception that will allow TREK Properties LLC to add a driveway access onto River Road West for Lot 2 of a four-lot minor subdivision.
Ben Ellis, a county planner, told commissioners the parcel is zoned R-3 and A-2, has about a 100-foot elevation change from north to south and includes multiple areas within the 100-year flood hazard area. He said the request is not consistent with the county's comprehensive plan and noted the county's major thoroughfare plan recommends minimizing public-road access points.
The commission's approval includes staff-recommended conditions: a note on the final plat recording the Planning Commission's action; a prohibition on Lot 2 accessing Maidens Loop; and a requirement that each lot demonstrate legal access to River Road West at the building-permit stage.
A resident who spoke during the citizen comment period asked commissioners to defer a District 2 subdivision-ordinance amendment, saying many neighbors had not been properly notified. The resident, who gave an address as 2164 Prophet Road, said the group formed to help neighbors understand development requirements had been working for more than a year and requested more time for information gathering. "Our primary goal is to ensure that the Planning Commission, the Board of Supervisors have accurate and necessary information to make informed, thoughtful, transparent and responsive decisions," the resident said during public comment.
Commissioners asked staff about fire-rescue review, driveway length and flood-plain impacts. Ellis said the application went through the county development-review process and that staff had received no comment from fire-rescue; he said the applicant currently uses an access easement to Maidens Loop for legal access but that Lot 2 would be restricted from using Maidens Loop if the exception is granted.
Commissioner (speaker 4) moved to approve the exception with the conditions staff recommended; the motion passed 5-0. Miss Parker, the clerk, conducted the roll call. The action is recorded as a Planning Commission approval; no Board of Supervisors hearing is required unless the decision is appealed.
