80S164STAFF REPORT
CASE #80S164
ERNEST L. BELVIN
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March 25, 1981 BS
REQUEST: Rezoning from Community Business (B-2) to General Business (B-3).
An auto-body repair shop is intended.
SUBJECT PARCEL: LOCATION, ACREAGE AND USE: Midlothian Magisterial District.
This parcel lies approximately 150 feet off the north line of Midlothian Turnpike
measured from a point located approximately 200 feet east of its intersection
with Research Road. This .76 acre parcel is occupied by a single family residence.
Tax Map 17-9 (1) Parcel 2 (Sheet 8).
RECOMMENDATION
Recommend denial for the following reasons:
A. Proposed zoning and land use is incompatible with existing development
in the area.
B. Outside storage of wrecked automobiles will be detrimental to the
aesthetic appeal of the area.
C. Proposed zoning and land use will set a precedent for similar intense
commercialization to the north of existing development. Such intense
commercialization will adversely affect future development of the property
lying to the north.
D. At the time the property was originally zoned t6 General Business
(C-2), the Board specifically excluded intense commercial uses such as the
one proposed by the applicant. There has been no significant change in
development patterns which would warrant a change in those past committments.
E. The plan submitted by the applicant gives no indication that the
property will be developed in a compatible manner with surrounding
commercial development.
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
ADJACENT ZONING AND LAND USE:
North - A, Vacant and wooded
South - B-2, Minit-Mart Food Store
East - B-2, Agee's Bicycle Shop
West - B-2, Virginia ABC Store
GENERAL PLAN: Commercial use.
UTILITIES: A sixteen (16) inch public water line is located along Route 60
approximately 200 feet south of the subject property. Use of public water is
recommended.
This property lies in a sanitary sewer district which drains to Pocoshock Creek.
A trunk sewer line is located along Route 60 and Research Road. Connection to
these lines must be approved by the Utilities Department.
SOILS, DRAINAGE AND EROSION: Soils are nearly level to gently sloping and under
present conditions have only a slight chance for erosion. This parcel has a
fair soil suitability for the proposed development with use of public sewer.
This property lies in the Routes 60/147 Drainage District. This development must
conform with the storm sewer system design of the drainage district and a pro-rata
share of the cost for district improvements must be paid prior to the release
of a building per,nit. An erosion control plan and a site grading and drainage
plan showing both existing and proposed contours and drainage structures must
be submitted to Environmental Engineering for approval.
TRA2~SPORTATION AND TRAFFIC:
area traffic.
This request should have a minimal impact on
PUBLIC FACILITIES: This property is served by Midlothian Fire Station, Company
Number 5. This station is staffed by both paid and volunteer personnel. Fire
service capability is good at the present time.
DISCUSSION: On May 8, 1968, the Board of Supervisors rezoned this property from
Agricultural (A) to General Business (C-2) with the condition that the, "Land
be restricted against use for service stations, public garages, trucking terminals,
dance halls, junk yards, and trailer courts; further, plans and specifications
with proper screening be approved by Planning Director." When the County's
Zoning Ordinance was recodified on January 1, 1973, the Board of Supervisors
rezoned this property in a blanket action with other vacant parcels in the area
to Community Business (B-2).
The applicant is making this request for two reasons: 1) he feels that his property
was unjustly rezoned to B-2 rather than B-3 and 2) he intends to operate an auto
body repair shop on site which requires B-3 zoning.
In response to this request, careful consideration needs to be given to the
nature and use of adjacent commercial properties. Located adjacent to this
property is a Virginia ABC Store, Minit-Mart Food Store, and Agee's Bicycle Shop
This strip along the north side of Midlothian Turnpike is typified by similar
light commercial uses. In reviewing the restrictions placed on this property
at the time it was zoned commercially, it would appear that the Board was attempting
to preserve the area for less intense commercial uses and prohibit those uses
which are often unsightly and have outside storage.
In light of existing area development, the proposed use is not compatible with adjacent
uses. It is anticipated that the proposed use will have associated with it
the storage of wrecked and damaged vehicles waiting repair. These vehicles
have a tendency to collect around body shops and often pose a safety problem
unless properly enclosed, but more particularly result in an unsightly situation.
80S164
CASE HISTORY
Planning Commission Meeting:
(11/18/80) The Commission deferred this request for sixty (60) days in
order to allow the applicant time to prepare and submit a plan of development.
Staff and Applicant:
(1/11/81) As requested, a plan of development has been submitted for the
subject property. The plan indicates that a three (3) bay garage and
associated parking would be constructed along the eastern property line.
The proposed operation would be enclosed by a six (6) foot high chain link
fence. It should be noted that the applicant is requesting General Business
(B-3) zoning and has neither proffered the plan submitted nor agreed that the
only use to be made of the property will be an automotive repair and body
shop. Without these proffers, General Business (B-3) zoning entitles the appli-
cant to all uses permitted in that zoning district.
With respect to the plan submitted, however, Staff's concerns relative to
land use compatibility have not been properly addressed. Specifically,
there are no provisions for buffering the use from adjacent property to
the east and west. Adjacent commercial uses are less intense than the one
proposed in this application and for the most part are attractive develop-
ments. Rezoning the request parcel will no doubt lead to further
pressures for similar uses on adjacent vacant parcels. Staff is, therefore,
of the opinion that denial of this application is appropriate.
However, should the Commission and Board see fit to permit this use, it is
recommended that a Conditional Use Planned Development be granted subject
to the imposition of the following conditions:
1. The uses permitted shall be limited to an automotive repair and body
shop.
2. There shall be no outside storage of parts, supplies or equipment.
All vehicles awaiting repair shall be stored to the north (rear) of the
proposed building.
3. The vehicular storage area shall be enclosed .... di~t' ilt~k £=t~c~a
w~oda~ ~la~% ~J~solid board fenceh Specifically, the vehicular
storage area shall be screened from view~f adjacent property to
the north, south, east and west.
~ 80S164
4. The twenty-five (25) foot buffer, as shown on the plan submitted,
shall be planted in accordance with the "Minimum Guidelines for Landscaped
Buf fe rs".
5. No junk vehicles or parts shall be stored on the subject property.
6. ~c Building shall employ split bla~v-o?-~Y'f~-in the-f~.
}~J~L=~ials ~h~ll be~-~oaSdued e~_rth tcnc coiu~, A colored rendering of the
structure shall be submitted to the Planning Commission for approval in
conjunction with schematic plan review. (Note: Prior to obtaining a
building permit, schematic plans depicting the above conditions must be
~,submitted to the Planning Commission for approval.~~ ~ ~ '~~ ~'~ ~'~ ~-~~~
Planning Commission Meeting:
(1/20/81) Mr. Crump stated that the proposed use is incompatible with the
types of commercial establishments which presently exist in the area.
On a motion of Mr. Crump, seconded by Mr. Currin, the Commission resolved to
recommend denial of this application.
AYES: Messrs. Howard, Crump, Williams, Currin and Belcher
ABSENT: Fir O'Neill
Board of Supervisors Meeting:
(2/25/81) At the request of the applicant, the Board deferred this case
for thirty (30) days to their March 25,1981 meeting.
The Board of Supervisors on Wednesday, March 25, 1981, beginning at 2:00 p.m.,
will take under consideration this request for zoning.
80SI64
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