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BZA Minutes 12 12 2022December 12, 2022 Regular Meeting Pittsylvania County Board of Zoning Appeals Regular Meeting December 12, 2022 VIRGINIA: The Regular Meeting of the Pittsylvania County Board of Zoning Appeals was held on December 12, 2022 in the Board Meeting Room, 39 Bank Street, SE, Chatham, Virginia. Chairman R. Allan Easley, called the meeting to order at 6:04 PM. The following members were present: Attendee Name Title Status Arrived R. Allan Easley Chairman Present 6:00 PM Ronald E. Merricks Vice-Chairman Present 5:59 PM Ryland Brumfield Board Member Present 5:58 PM Joseph A. Craddock Board Member Present 5:58 PM Ann Deering Board Member Present 5:58 PM Hershel Stone Board Member Present 6:00 PM Carroll Yeaman Board Member Present 6:00 PM APPROVAL OF AGENDA Upon motion of Mr. Yeaman, seconded by Mr. Merricks, and by a unanimous vote, the agenda was approved as presented. RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Carroll Yeaman, Board Member SECONDER: Ronald E. Merricks, Vice-Chairman AYES: Easley, Merricks, Brumfield, Craddock, Deering, Stone, Yeaman APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. BZA Minutes11 07 2022 Upon motion of Mr. Merricks, seconded by Mrs. Deering, and by a unanimous vote, the minutes were approved as presented. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Ronald E. Merricks, Vice-Chairman SECONDER: Ann Deering, Board Member AYES: Easley, Merricks, Brumfield, Craddock, Deering, Stone, Yeaman OLD BUSINESS Mrs. Ragsdale reminded the board about the joint work session for the zoning ordinance rewrite at 3 p.m. December 20, 2022, before the Board of Supervisors meeting. NEW BUSINESS Mrs. Ragsdale stated there will be one Special Use Permit case for the month of January. The meeting schedule for 2023 was given to all members. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT There was no Chairman's Report. PUBLIC HEARING 1. Public Hearing: Case S-22-025 Larry and Cheryl Estes; Special Use Permit for a Campground The zoning precepts were read by Mr. Easley to open the public hearing at 6:09 p.m. Mrs. Ragsdale, Director of Community Development, reported that Larry & Cheryl Estes petitioned for a Special Use Permit for a campground on 11.79 acres, located on State Road 785/Horseshoe Road in the Westover Election District. Larry Estes represented the petition and presented the Board with a petition with approximately forty signatures in favor of the campground. Mr. Estes says the campground originated in 2001 when construction workers building the bypass for US 29 were in the area looking for somewhere to stay. Mr. Estes stated he was issued a temporary permit, which has since expired. He is now trying to get in compliance with the Virginia Department of Health and Community Development. He stated that the campground has been occupied by several campers the past few months with workers in the area working on the Berry Hill project. Mr. Estes also stated he has never had any issues or problems with any patrons of the campground. He said most arrive on Monday evening and depart Thursday afternoon, leaving their campers in the campground. There are only seven (7) sites available, and he has no intention of expanding the campground. Several people signed up to speak in regard to the campground. Glen Hudson was first to speak, stating that he lives closer to the campground than any other resident and he has no issues or concerns. Dawn Simpson spoke next stating that she lives directly beside the campground, and she has never had any issues with anyone that has stayed there. Robin Weddle spoke next and voiced concerns over decreasing property values. S stated that she has lived there for forty years, and while there have been no problems so far, there is always a concern with transients in the area. She suggested that an expiration date be placed on the Special Use Permit and suggested landscaping to make it more aesthetically pleasing for the neighborhood. Wayne Atkins voiced concerns over the increase in traffic, stating that if each camp site is allowed to have two (2) vehicles that would be fourteen extra vehicles using their road. He suggested installing a buffer to decrease noise and lights and an entryway. He also has concerns over campfires and how they would be controlled. Mr. Estes addressed issues and concerns that were presented but stated he does not want to install a sign to advertise because he likes to choose who stays at the campground. He stated that he is very particular of who can stay as his family lives in close proximity. Mr. Easley closed the public hearing at 6:27 p.m. The Board discussed the petition as a whole. Mr. Merricks stated he is not personally fond of residential areas being anything other than residential and would like for any expansions to go through the Virginia Department of Health and the Community Development office if this Special Use Permit is granted. Mrs. Ragsdale stated that any expansion would go through both offices for approval. Mr. Easley stated that he would be in favor of landscaping if the Special Use Permit is granted. Mr. Merricks suggested screening any residential property, requiring the campground to abide by the noise ordinance, limiting the campground to seven (7) sites, and placing a time-limit on the Special Use Permit. Mr. Brumfield asked if landscaping was needed as he did not get an opportunity to visit the property. Mr. Yeaman said since the campground is not in continuous operation, that he would be more inclined to grant the Special Use Permit if a ten (10) year time limit is placed on it. Mr. Stone visited the property and stated that it was well maintained, and he did not see anything concerning. Mr. Dadak discussed the wording of conditions with the Board. Mr. Easley stated the conditions would be as follows: 1-Must remain in compliance with all applicable Virginia Department of Health regulations. 2- The campground is limited to the existing seven (7) sites that were presented in the site plan. Any further expansion will be required to apply for a new Special Use Permit before any expansion could take place. 3- The Special Use Permit shall be reviewed in ten (10) years for review of compliance and conditions. Mr. Brumfield asked Mrs. Ragsdale if this is granted how stall will know to review in ten (10) years. Mrs. Ragsdale stated that something will be put into place for cases of this nature. Mr. Estes agreed to the conditions set forth in this meeting. A motion was made by Mr. Merricks, seconded by Mrs. Deering, that the Board of Zoning Appeals grant the Special Use Permit with conditions. RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] MOVER: Ronald E. Merricks, Vice-Chairman SECONDER: Ann Deering, Board Member AYES: Easley, Merricks, Brumfield, Craddock, Deering, Stone, Yeaman ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:48 p.m.