Planning Commission approves special‑use permit for church and private K–8 school near Fredericksburg Road

The Greene County Planning Commission voted to approve a special‑use permit for Grange Commons LLC to operate a church and a private school in an existing barn on TMP 40A‑1‑1 at the intersection of Fredericksburg Road and Route 29.

Planning staff framed the hearing as an impacts review rather than a use‑eligibility decision, noting that churches are allowed by the ordinance but that the commission must evaluate site‑specific impacts including traffic, parking, noise, lighting and utilities. "So our focus really tonight is what are the impacts from this proposal and whether or not we think this is the right site for that," staff said during the presentation.

Applicant representative Julia Flynn Moore told the commission the proposal uses the existing 6,500‑square‑foot building and proposes no new construction; the application estimated a maximum combined attendance of 250 people split across two services. "No new buildings are proposed and the maximum attendance would be 250 spread across, 2 different services," she said.

Commissioners discussed occupancy limits, parking shortfalls and the building‑permit review that will set the official occupant load. The applicant reported 34 marked parking spaces on the site versus an approximate code requirement of 65; staff and the commission emphasized that parking and any required improvements will be resolved through the change‑of‑use and site‑plan processes before a certificate of occupancy is issued.

The commission approved the permit with modified staff conditions. Key conditions include: use limited to the existing 6,500‑sq ft barn; any expansion of principal structures or changes materially increasing off‑site impacts (traffic, parking, noise, lighting) requires further review; accessory structures supporting the principal use are permitted; maximum occupancy as determined by the building official and fire marshal; access and any VDOT‑required improvements completed before occupancy; off‑street parking to meet zoning requirements; regular activity limited to 7AM–10PM; outdoor amplified sound prohibited except for authorized temporary events; vegetative buffers maintained; and the SUP becomes null and void if the approved use ceases for a continuous 24 months.

The motion carried on voice vote: Mark Kelp — Aye; Jason Snow — Aye; David Mastrovic — No; Mister Veda — Aye; chair — Aye. The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for final action.