18SN0804
CASE NUMBER: 18SN0804 (AMENDED)
APPLICANT: Suits Us Farm
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, VIRGINIA
DALE DISTRICT
AND RECOMMENDATION
Board of Supervisors (BOS) Hearing:
October 24, 2018
BOS Time Remaining:
365 DAYS
KEITH APPLEWHITE (804-402-4730)
Planning Department Case Manager:
54.8 Acres 7600 Applewhite Lane
DAVID DAMERON (804-768-7592)
REQUEST
(Amended) Conditional use to permit a business (therapeutic horse riding lessons and horse training)
incidental to a dwelling plus conditional use planned development to permit exceptions to ordinance
requirements relative to signage in an Agricultural (A) District.
Notes:
A.Conditions may be imposed or the property owner may proffer conditions.
B.Conditions and Exhibits are located in Attachments 1 -4.
SUMMARY
An active horse farm and boarding facility has been operated from the property since the 1960s.
The applicant intends to offer therapeutic horse riding lessons and training for children and adults
with exceptional needs. The use will be conducted in an existing horse riding ring and other areas on
a two-acre portion of the subject property.
The applicant also plans to display a sign to advertise the equine therapy business. This sign will not
meet ordinance limitations relative to area and height. A conditional use planned development is
requested to permit sign exceptions.
RECOMMENDATION
APPROVAL
PLANNING
COMMISSION
APPROVAL
As conditioned, proposal would be compatible with area residential and
STAFF
agricultural uses.
Providing a FIRST CHOICE community through excellence in public service
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Comprehensive Plan
Classification: RESIDENTIAL AGRICULTURAL
The designation suggests the property is appropriate for larger lot residential use of up to 0.5
dwelling units per acre and farming
Surrounding Land Uses and Development
Agricultural
and vacant
R and A zoning;
vacant/wooded
Nash Road
Single-family
Residential
Sundial Farms
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PLANNING
Staff Contact: David Dameron (804-768-7592) damerond@chesterfield.gov
Proposal
The applicant proposes to operate a business from the home, offering horse riding lessons and
training. The program provides therapy for clients who are mentally or physically challenged,
active duty military, or veterans. The therapeutic riding lessons would be conducted within a
two-acre portion of the property containing an existing horse riding ring and area for parking as
depicted in Exhibit A. This area is located a minimum of 1,500 feet from any residence.
Exceptions for Signage
The Ordinance permits the following signage for properties within an Agricultural (A) District:
Farm use one sign, 12 square feet in area and 10 feet in height
Commercial use on which there is a residential use - one sign, 4 square feet in area and
5 feet in height
right-of-way
The existing free-standing sign at the entrance of Applewhite Lane contains two plaques
advertising horse boarding (Suits-Us Farm) and the equine therapy business (Making Strides of
Virginia) as noted on Exhibit B. While the farm component complies with Ordinance limitations,
the business portion exceeds the permitted height and area. The sign is currently located
within the Nash Road ultimate right-of-way, approximately 15 feet from the edge of pavement
(reference Exhibit C).
As a fifty-five (55) acre parcel, the request property contains approximately 218 feet of road
frontage on Nash Road, being a major arterial with a speed limit of 45 miles per hour. As such,
the size and height of the proposed sign, as relocated one foot outside of the right of way,
promotes maximum sign legibility without over-concentration or excessive sign height and
area. Staff is supportive of the height and area exceptions for the existing sign.
The chart on the following page provides an overview of conditions recommended by staff to
minimize the impact of the use on area properties:
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General Overview
Requirements Details
Limited to the applicant only
Ownership
/ƚƓķźƷźƚƓ Њ
Limited to equine therapy sessions within 2-acre area consisting of
Use
existing horse riding ring and other areas as depicted in Exhibit A
/ƚƓķźƷźƚƓ Ћ
No additional buildings constructed to accommodate use
Improvements
/ƚƓķźƷźƚƓ Ќ
8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday (no Sundays)
Hours of Operation
/ƚƓķźƷźƚƓ Ѝ
Other than the applicant or any persons living in the home, a maximum of
Employees &
10 employees/volunteers on the property at one time
Volunteers
/ƚƓķźƷźƚƓ Ў
Limited to use during sessions within 2-acre area
Public Address
Noise not to exceed 55 dBa at parcel boundaries
System
/ƚƓķźƷźƚƓ Џ
One freestanding commercial sign, 10
Signage
Shall be relocated outside VDOT r.o.w. and a sign permit shall be
obtained within 60 days of approval
/ƚƓķźƷźƚƓ А
Facilities and areas (stables, pastures, etc.) cleaned and made free of
Maintenance
waste.
/ƚƓķźƷźƚƓ Б
Directional-type with shielded light source; illumination not to exceed
Lighting 0.5-foot candle above background, measured from lot lines
hƩķźƓğƓĭĻ
COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Staff Contact: Steve Adams (804) 748-1037 adamsSt@chesterfield.gov
The Comprehensive Plan, which includes the Thoroughfare Plan, identifies county-wide
transportation needs that are expected to mitigate traffic impacts of future growth. The
anticipated traffic impact of the proposal has been evaluated and it is anticipated to be
minimal.
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Staff Contact: Jonathan Phillippe (804-674-2560) jonathan.phillippe@vdot.virginia.gov
To date, no comments have been received.
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FIRE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
Staff Contact: Anthony Batten (804-717-6167) battena@chesterfield.gov
Nearby Fire and Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Facilities
Fire Station The Airport Fire Station, Company Number 15
EMS Facility The Airport Fire Station, Company Number 15
Additional Fire and EMS Comments
This request will have minimal impact on Fire and EMS.
UTILITIES
Staff Contact: Terry Maples (751-4435) maplest@chesterfield.gov
The existing structures are currently utilizing a well and private septic system and no new
structures are proposed.
The subject parcel is located outside the mandatory wastewater connection area.
The subject parcel is located within the provisional public water connection area, however, the
line, so connection of any new structures is not required.
The Utilities Department supports this case.
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
Staff Contact: Rebeccah Ward (804-748-1028) WardR@chesterfield.gov
This request will have minimal impact on these facilities.
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CASE HISTORY
Applicant Submittals
5/4/18 Application submitted
9/9/18 Application amended
Community Meeting
8/23/18 No citizens attended this meeting
Planning Commission
7/17/18 Action DEFERRED TO September 18, 2018
MOTION
9/18/18 Citizen Comments:
No citizens spoke to this request
Recommendation APPROVAL SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS IN
ATTACHMENT 1
Motion: Jackson Second: Jones
AYES: Sloan, Jackson, Freye, Jones, and Stariha
The Board of Supervisors on Wednesday, October 24, 2018, beginning at 6:00 p.m., will
consider this request.
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ATTACHMENT 1
CONDITIONS
Note: The following conditions are recommended by the Planning Commission and Staff.
1. Non-Transferable Ownership. This Conditional Use shall be granted to Suits Us Farm,
exclusively, and shall not be transferable nor run with the land. (P)
2. Use Limitation. This Conditional Use approval shall be for the operation of a business
(Equine Therapy) with group instruction, incidental to a dwelling. The use shall be limited
to outdoor activities within the two (2)-acre area depicted in Exhibit A. (P)
3. Expansion of Use. No new building construction shall be permitted to accommodate this
use. (P)
4. Hours of Operation. Operation of the use shall be limited to Monday through Saturday,
8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. There shall be no operation of the use on Sunday. (P)
5. Employees. A maximum of 10 employees/volunteers, other than the applicant and
persons residing in the home, shall be permitted to work on the premises at any one
time. (P)
6. Public Address. Use of an outside public address system shall be limited to training
sessions. Noise generated by this system shall not exceed 55 dBa as measured at the
parent parcel boundaries. (P)
7. Signage. One freestanding commercial sign -Us Farm
sign, consistent with Exhibit B, and not exceeding a total area of 10.4 square feet and
9.2 feet in height, shall be permitted to identify the training/boarding facility. The sign
shall be relocated outside of the VDOT right-of-way and a sign permit shall be obtained
within 60 days of approval of this request. (P)
8. Maintenance. All facilities and areas associated with the keeping of horses (stable,
pastures, etc.) shall be cleaned and made free of waste on a regular basis. In addition,
the property owner shall employ a means of eliminating any odor problems and
propagation of insects. (P)
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ATTACHMENT 2
EXHIBIT A, SITE LAYOUT
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ATTACHMENT 3
EXHIBIT B, SIGN DIMENSIONS
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ATTACHMENT 4
EXHIBIT C, SIGN SETBACK
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