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Berkeley County Planning Commission approves multiple extensions, waivers and advances several site plans
Summary
At its July 6 meeting, the Berkeley County Planning Commission approved extensions for preliminary plans, granted waivers for subdivisions and setbacks, advanced several concept plans to the detailed review stage, and scheduled multiple public hearings and final-plat hearings for Aug. 3, 2026. Most motions passed unanimously; several members recused or abstained on conflicts.
The Berkeley County Planning Commission on July 6, 2026 approved a package of development actions that included extensions, waivers and the advancement of multiple projects to the detailed site-plan stage.
The commission voted to extend the expired Preliminary Plan for Mills Meadows (File #2605-267), allowing the developer to submit a Major Plan Change to bring the project into compliance with the 2025 Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. Laura Hoffmaster, deputy director of Community Development, said staff did not set a new expiration “because once they send in the plan change, the date that is approved can be the new expiration date.” The applicant’s representative, Chris Waddell, told the commission the project is “actively working on permits” and that the NPDES permit extension requested is for five years.
The panel also granted a two-year extension for the PLK — Inwood project (File #2605-278 tied to 2301-024), setting a new Preliminary Plan expiration date of July 17, 2028. Lawrence BenBassett represented the applicant; there were no public comments.
The commission approved a Showe family transfer waiver (File #2605-306 tied to 2604-186) that will allow creation of a 0.80-acre single-family parcel and retain a 1.33-acre parcel with an existing dwelling. Staff confirmed that Hensell Heights submitted a letter accepting the new lot into the road maintenance agreement. The commission granted two waivers: to Section 302.1.D.1 (50' right-of-way requirement) and to Section 505.4.c (prohibiting more than one lot between the main body of a panhandle lot and the access roadway).
A waiver request for Sheetz #425 in Spring Mills (File #2606-316) was approved to allow a reduced setback from a WVDOH road; applicant representative David Costello said the rebuilt convenience store will include a larger car-wash footprint and a pickup lane instead of a traditional drive-thru.
Concept plans for Superior Paving Corp’s temporary asphalt batch plant (File #2604-187) and for Frank Self-Storage (File #2510-286) were advanced to the Detailed Site Plan stage. The commission also accepted staff recommendations to advertise public hearings for three Detailed Site Plan matters — a Hatchery Road water storage tank (File #2508-235), a Vanville Church of Christ building (File #2512-349) and a commercial dog kennel for James Crites (File #2604-197) — to be considered at the Aug. 3, 2026 meeting.
Commissioners also accepted staff recommendations to advertise final-plat public hearings on Aug. 3 for Southside Towns (File #2505-137), Communities of Burwell Phase 16 (File #2601-003) and Lakes at Martinsburg Phase 3 (File #2602-044).
Most motions carried unanimously. The minutes for the June 15 meeting were approved, with Mike Bush and Brandon Franklin recorded as abstaining due to absence. Recusals were recorded where conflicts were noted: Brandon Franklin recused on Cardinal Pointe Section 8 and related items; on Southside Towns both Brandon Franklin and Mike Bush recused.
The commission also received an update on the Berkeley County Comprehensive Plan: staff said The Berkeley Group is finalizing a draft and that a final work session is set for Aug. 17 before the plan is forwarded to the County Commission.
Votes at a glance: - Approve agenda — mover: Eric Goff; seconder: Tim Lewis; outcome: approved unanimously. - Approve June 15 minutes — mover: Eric Goff; seconder: Tim Lewis; outcome: approved; Mike Bush and Brandon Franklin abstained. - Mills Meadows Preliminary Plan extension (File #2605-267) — mover: Eric Goff; seconder: John Hardy; outcome: approved unanimously. - PLK Inwood two-year Preliminary Plan extension (File #2605-278) — mover: John Hardy; seconder: Eric Goff; outcome: approved unanimously. - Showe Family Transfer waivers (File #2605-306) — mover: Mike Bush; seconder: Eric Goff; outcome: approved unanimously (recusal noted for Mike Bush immediately after the vote in the minutes). - Superior Paving concept plan advancement (File #2604-187) — mover: Tim Lewis; seconder: Eric Goff; outcome: advanced unanimously. - Sheetz #425 waiver (File #2606-316) — mover: Eric Goff; seconder: Brandon Franklin; outcome: approved unanimously. - Frank Self-Storage concept plan advancement (File #2510-286) — mover: John Hardy; seconder: Eric Goff; outcome: advanced unanimously. - Detailed Site Plan hearings advertised for Hatchery Road tank (2508-235), Vanville Church (2512-349), James Crites Kennel (2604-197) — outcomes: accepted unanimously for Aug. 3 public hearings. - Final Plat hearings for Southside Towns (2505-137), Communities of Burwell Phase 16 (2601-003), Lakes at Martinsburg Phase 3 (2602-044) — outcomes: accepted unanimously for Aug. 3 public hearings; recusal(s) noted as recorded.
The meeting adjourned at 7:03 p.m.
