Board approves conditional use permit for Phoenix towing business with storage limits

Charlotte County supervisors voted to approve a conditional use permit for a towing business and temporary vehicle storage at 1374 Red House Road in Phoenix.

Staff summarized the application as a 6.3-acre parcel (parcel 24-AD-69) proposing a 100-by-100-foot enclosed storage area with a 6-foot corrugated metal fence and vegetative screening. Staff said setbacks meet county requirements and VDOT requires a low-volume commercial entrance; planning staff and the planning commission recommended approval with nine conditions, including standard compliance measures and site-specific provisions such as the landscape buffer on the west side, a requirement that vehicles be stored within the enclosed area, and an amendment requirement for future expansions.

Planning staff told the board the planning commission approved the application 9–0 after narrowing staff-recommended conditions. A planning-commission concern about fire risk for fully electric vehicles led to condition number 5, which staff confirmed prohibits storage of fully electric vehicles. During the hearing the applicant said he already does not store electric vehicles with other cars and has discussed containment options with other tow yards. "I'm not allowed to have them in the same lot as other vehicles to begin with," the applicant said, adding he intends to keep the yard "strictly professional, clean" and to plant screening to reduce visual impacts.

Supervisor comments emphasized local enforcement and community oversight. A supervisor urged the applicant to "live up to" the permit conditions and reminded residents that compliance concerns can be reported to county staff.

Following discussion Mister Davis moved to approve the permit with the planning commission's conditions; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote. The board congratulated the applicant.