Planning Commission approves driveway exception, recommends Pond View Lane proffer amendment (5-0 votes)

The Goochland County Planning Commission on Aug. 21 approved two land-use items by 5-0 votes: a subdivision-ordinance exception allowing an additional driveway for a Walter E. Norman property and a proffer amendment that would remove a shared-driveway requirement for four lots on Pond View Lane. Staff told the commission neither action will change the number of lots or the comprehensive-plan designation.

Carrie Ragland, planning manager, presented SOE-20250001, an exception to Article 6 of the subdivision ordinance requested by Walter E. Norman to add a separate access drive onto Paine/Payne Road for a parcel of about 17.95 acres in an A-1 (Agricultural General) zone. Ragland said topography and an on-site stream crossing make the originally approved shared-access route difficult to use and that staff found the proposed driveway location provides better sight distance. "Staff recommend that within 30 days of approval, the owner must record Exhibit A among the land records of the county," Ragland said. Commissioners asked about sight-lines and fire-and-rescue standards; staff replied that individual driveways must meet any applicable standards. The commission approved SOE-20250001 with the recommended condition on a five-zero vote.

The commission also heard a public hearing and staff presentation on a proffer amendment to RZ-2018-4 requested by the Goochland County Board of Supervisors to remove the requirement that four lots on Pond View Lane share two access points. Jamie Sherry said county staff had inadvertently approved individual driveways for lots 2 and 3, creating noncompliance with the 2018 proffers; the amendment would relieve that noncompliance and allow uniform design without changing the overall density. "Approval of this amendment would relieve the burden of noncompliance with the 2018 proffers for lots 2 and 3," Sherry said. A community meeting held June 23 had no public attendees. The commission recommended approval and the case is tentatively scheduled for the Board of Supervisors on Oct. 7, 2025.

Both votes were recorded as five-zero approvals; staff will implement conditions such as the required recordation of Exhibit A for the subdivision exception and will forward the proffer amendment with the commission's recommendation to the Board of Supervisors for final action.