Board approves special‑exception permit for assembly hall on Forks Road with conditions

The Amelia County Board of Supervisors approved a special‑exception permit (SEP2024‑07) to allow an assembly‑hall use at 159015 Forks Road (tax map 42‑84) after hearing from neighbors and the applicant.

Planning staff described recommended conditions intended to protect neighborhood character, including a parking plan, hours restrictions, and administrative inspection rights. The planning commission recommended increasing the maximum participant limit from 75 to 100 and removing a 24‑events‑per‑year limit; the applicant (Weston Hinton) said the operation would use open‑air pavilions and tents for small events, would provide ingress/egress and parking plans, and was not seeking a large indoor facility.

Supervisor Easter moved to approve the special exception with staff conditions but amending the limit to 100 guests and not imposing an event‑cap; the board voted in favor and the motion carried. The permit holder must obtain a zoning permit, a building permit or change‑of‑occupancy if necessary, submit a parking plan (with VDOT ingress/egress approval where required), and comply with inspection requirements.

Why it matters: the approval allows a small‑scale events venue while imposing conditions intended to preserve rural character and traffic safety; neighbors spoke in favor of careful restrictions while the applicant emphasized compliance and sensitive site design.