19SN0627
CASE NUMBER: 19SN0627
APPLICANTS: Elizabeth and Ronald Townsend
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, VIRGINIA
MIDLOTHIAN DISTRICT
S ANALYSIS
AND RECOMMENDATION
Board of Supervisors (BOS) Public Hearing:
DECEMBER 11, 2019
BOS Time Remaining:
365 DAYS
RONALD TOWNSEND (804-794-7704)
Planning Department Case Manager:
2.2 Acre 12931 River Hills Dr.
HAROLD ELLIS (804-768-7592)
REQUEST
Conditional use planned development to permit accessory structures within a buffer in a Residential
(R-40) District.
Notes:
A.Conditions may be imposed or the property owner may proffer conditions.
B.Conditions and an Exhibit are located in Attachments 1 and 2.
SUMMARY
The applicant is proposing to retain two existing storage sheds within the required buffer along a
major arterial (Robious Road). These improvements also encroach into the required 5-foot setback
from a buffer. A conditional use planned development is requested to maintain these structures in
their current locations.
RECOMMENDATION
APPROVAL
PLANNING
COMMISSION
DENIAL
Reduces continuity of existing buffer area
STAFF
Approval could encourage other similar requests
Providing a FIRST CHOICE community through excellence in public service
219SN0627-2019DEC11-BOS-RPT
SUMMARY OF IDENTIFIED ISSUES
Department Issue
Fails to provide intermittent visual separation between residential
dwellings and roads
PLANNING
Reduces horizontal distance, open space, and vegetation between
uses and Robious Road
Approval could encourage other similar requests
319SN0627-2019DEC11-BOS-RPT
Comprehensive Plan
Classification: LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL
The designation suggests the property is appropriate for residential use with a maximum of 1.0 dwelling
per acre.
Surrounding Land Uses and Development
Single-family uses-
Windmill
Robious Rd
James River West
Ridge Dr.
River Hills Dr
Single-family uses-
Powderham
Single-family uses
-Millcrest at Brandermill
subdivision
419SN0627-2019DEC11-BOS-RPT
PLANNING
Staff Contact: Harold Ellis (804-768-7592) ellish@chesterfield.gov
Zoning History
Case Number Request
Prior to 1972 Property zoned R-A which required 40,000 square foot minimum lot size, which
Blanket is equivalent to the current R-40 district requirements.
Zoning Map
Subdivision consisting of 5 single-family lots.
96TS0272
Requirement for 50-foot buffer along Robious Road (Major Arterial).
Approved
Buffer recorded with subdivision plat noted to remain in a natural
(4/1996)
undisturbed state
Proposal
The applicant is proposing to retain two existing storage sheds, which total 680 square feet,
within a buffer. The subject property is located within the James River West subdivision,
recorded in 1996 (see subdivision plat excerpt at bottom of page). At the time of approval, the
Subdivision Ordinance required a 50-foot buffer along the rear property boundary abutting
Robious Road (later codified in Zoning Ordinance). The area within this buffer was to remain in
a natural undisturbed state. The buffer was recorded within the boundaries of privately owned
lots and not within common open area. In addition, the Ordinance requires a five (5) foot
setback for accessory structures from the buffer limits.
River Hills Dr
Subject Property
50-foot buffer
519SN0627-2019DEC11-BOS-RPT
Buffer and Setback Exceptions
In July 2018, a complaint was received by the Planning Department regarding accessory
structures constructed within a buffer. The applicant indicates that the structures have existed
in the current location May 2018. Shed 1 is 200 square feet, 10-feet in height, and 17 feet from
the rear property line. Shed 2 is 480 square feet, 10-feet in height, and 17 feet from the rear
property line. Both structures are located entirely within the 50-foot buffer. See figure below.
Robious Road is classified as a major arterial, and a privacy fence extends along the
. The fence, in combination with the existing vegetation, assists in
reducing the views of the sheds from Robious Road. Existing vegetation in front of the sheds
minimizes their view from River Hills Drive. Staff is not supportive of the proposal.
Encroachment of these buildings adversely impacts the buffer and minimize the separation of
residential lots and the abutting arterial road.
Should the Commission and Board wish to approve the request, the conditions listed in
Attachment 1 and summarized in the chart below are recommended by Staff.
General Overview
Requirements Details
Storage sheds maintained and located as depicted in Exhibits A
Use and location
/ƚƓķźƷźƚƓ Њ
6-foot privacy fence located along rear property boundary
Fence
/ƚƓķźƷźƚƓ Ћ
619SN0627-2019DEC11-BOS-RPT
COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Staff Contact: Steve Adams (804) 748-1037 adamsSt@chesterfield.gov
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Staff Contact: Willie Gordon (804-674-2907) willie.gordon@vdot.virginia.gov
FIRE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
Staff Contact: Anthony Batten (804-717-6167) battena@chesterfield.gov
UTILITIES
Staff Contact: Matt Rembold (804-706-7616) remboldm@chesterfield.gov
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
Staff Contact: Rebeccah Ward (804-748-1028) wardr@chesterfield.gov
The proposal will not impact these facilities.
719SN0627-2019DEC11-BOS-RPT
CASE HISTORY
Applicant Submittals
6/21/19 Application submitted
Community Meeting
10/07/19 No citizens attended the community meeting.
Planning Commission
11/19/19 Citizen Comments:
No citizens spoke to the request.
Recommendation APPROVAL SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS IN
ATTACHMENT 1.
Motion: Jones Second: Stariha
AYES: Freye, Sloan, Jackson, Jones, and Stariha
819SN0627-2019DEC11-BOS-RPT
ATTACHMENT 1
CONDITIONS
Note: The following conditions are recommended by both the Planning Commission and Staff.
1.Use and Location. The existing sheds, as depicted on Exhibit A, shall be permitted to be
maintained within the 50-foot buffer and the 5-foot buffer setback. No additional
structures or improvements shall be permitted within the buffer or setbacks. (P)
2.Fence. The existing privacy fence shall be maintained in a location generally adjacent to
the rear property boundary to reduce the visibility of the storage sheds from Robious
Road. (P)
919SN0627-2019DEC11-BOS-RPT
ATTACHMENT 2
EXHIBIT A
November 6, 2019
17 Setback
50 Buffer
Shed 2
12 X 40
Shed 1
10 X 20
1019SN0627-2019DEC11-BOS-RPT