Planning Commission approves landscaping modification, allows windscreen in buffer for Ferndale Road storage site

The Dinwiddie County Planning Commission on Sept. 10 approved a special exception to modify the landscaping requirements for a proposed self-storage facility off Ferndale Road, allowing the applicant to use existing vegetation and windscreen fencing in place of the ordinance’s specified plantings while retaining the required 25-foot buffer width.

Staff reviewed the site-plan materials and noted the rear of the property features a steep 3:1 slope and existing foliage that staff and the applicant argued would serve as an effective visual barrier. "They're wanting to reduce the landscaping that's required by the ordinance," Bassett said, but he clarified the 25-foot buffer width would be maintained. Applicant Arthur Bostic said the slope and wetlands make planting and long-term maintenance impractical and that "we'd really rather not have to get into messing with any of that, as far as disturbing that stuff that's already there." He told commissioners the project will include fencing and windscreen to supplement the natural buffer and a brick facade on the building face visible from Route 1.

Commission discussion focused on whether slats in chain-link fencing or windscreen would best meet screening needs; the commission adopted a motion to grant the modification with a condition allowing windscreen/fencing in lieu of certain plantings. The motion passed 6-0. Staff noted the action is planning permission related to the site-plan waiver and indicated it may not require Board of Supervisors approval.