Commission recommends Whitesides & Pence banquet/event SUP to Board after health and entrance conditions discussed

The Planning Commission considered a special-use permit application from Randy Whitesides and Dawn Pence to operate a banquet/event facility at 625 River Bend Road (2.5 acres, zoned agricultural). Staff told commissioners the concept plan includes an upgraded entrance required by VDOT and noted the Health Department would require sewage disposal suitable for the expected number of attendees.

Staff also emphasized that, under the earlier zoning rules applicable to this pre-amendment application, building permits and structural engineering will be required before operations begin and that the applicants are responsible for demonstrating septic capacity. "All health requirements related to water and sewage required by Virginia Department of Health shall be completed prior to operation of the facility," staff said, referring to a draft condition in the packet.

Commissioners asked how parking and drain-field siting would affect the proposed 150-person limit and staff explained that conditions could be adjusted if the Health Department reduced allowable occupancy based on septic or parking constraints. After discussion a motion was made to recommend approval of the Whitesides & Pence special-use permit to the Board of Supervisors; the motion was seconded, roll call was taken and the commission voted to forward the application with the staff-recommended conditions.

Next steps: staff will ensure that VDOT and VDH requirements are included as conditions and forward the commission’s recommendation to the Board of Supervisors for final action.