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Planning commission backs Chadwick & Sons agritourism venue with conditions
Summary
The commission unanimously recommended approval of a conditional use permit for a 16.5‑acre rural event venue at Chadwick & Sons Orchards, subject to conditions limiting frequency of events, hours and buffering; staff found the proposal consistent with the comprehensive plan.
The Powhatan County Planning Commission voted 5–0 to recommend approval of CUP 26‑05, allowing Chadwick & Sons Orchards to operate a rural event venue on approximately 16.5 acres with conditions. Planning staff described the proposal as an agritourism use that would use existing buildings and site improvements, with no new principal buildings proposed.
Planning director Legan Webb presented staff’s recommendation for approval and explained the proposed conditions: events limited to roughly four per month, operating hours limited (weekday evenings and specified weekend hours), outdoor amplified music prohibited after 8 p.m., and final circulation, lighting and buffering subject to site‑plan approval. Webb told the commission the proposal "represents good zoning practices," uses the existing pavilion and parking and includes site safeguards.
The applicant described the venue as a three‑season agritourism offering that leverages greenhouses and outdoor gardens, not a year‑round indoor facility. Public comment was limited; one resident suggested marking a former narrow‑gauge railroad embankment as a conservation feature. Commissioners who had visited the site described it as attractive and well‑suited to agritourism. The commission passed the motion to recommend approval in a roll call vote that recorded five ayes and zero noes.
Next steps: the recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for final action and site‑plan review will address final circulation and buffering details.
