BZA Packet 05082023
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
REGULAR MEETING
Monday, May 8, 2023 - 6:00 PM
Board Meeting Room
39 Bank Street, SE,
Chatham,Virginia 24531
AGENDA
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
3. MOMENT OF SILENCE
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
7. CLOSED SESSION
8. RETURN TO OPEN SESSION & CLOSED SESSION CERTIFICATION
9. OLD BUSINESS
a. Case S-22-024: The Dock at SML, Inc.; Special Use Permit for a
Marina and a Public Garage (Staff Contact: Emily Ragsdale)
10. NEW BUSINESS
11. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
12. PUBLIC HEARING
Pursuant to Article V, Division 7 of the Pittsylvania County Zoning
Ordinance, we the Board of Zoning Appeals have been empowered to
hear and decide specific applications and appeals in support of said
ordinance. In accomplishing this important task, we are charged with
promoting the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of
Pittsylvania County. We must insure that all our decisions and
recommendations be directed to these goals and that each be
consistent with the environment, the comprehensive plan and in the best
interest of Pittsylvania County, its citizens and its posterity. Anyone here to
speak to the board, other than the applicant, regarding zoning cases will
be limited to (3) three minutes.
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a. Pursuant to Article V, Division 7, of the Pittsylvania County Zoning
Ordinance, we the Board of Zoning Appeals have been
empowered to hear and decide specific applications and appeals
in support of said Ordinance. In accomplishing this important task
we are charged with promoting the health, safety, and general
public welfare of the citizens of Pittsylvania County. We must ensure
that all our decisions and recommendations be directed to these
goals and that each be consistent with the environment, the
comprehensive plan, and in the best interest of Pittsylvania County,
its citizens, and its posterity. Anyone here to speak to the Board,
other than the applicant, regarding zoning cases will be limited to
(3) three minutes.
1. Public Hearing: Case S-23-003 Christy Hicks; Special Use
Permit for a Summer Camp (Staff Contact: Emily Ragsdale)
13. ADJOURNMENT
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6.a.
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Action Item
Agenda Title: BZA Minutes 03132023
Staff Contact(s): Robin Vaughan
Agenda Date: May 8, 2023 Item Number: 6.a.
Attachment(s): 1. BZA Minutes 03132023
Reviewed By:
SUMMARY:
FINANCIAL IMPACT AND FUNDING SOURCE:
RECOMMENDATION:
MOTION:
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March 13, 2023
Regular Meeting
Pittsylvania County Board of Zoning Appeals
Regular Meeting
March 13, 2023
VIRGINIA: The Regular Meeting of the Pittsylvania County Board of Zoning Appeals was held
on March 13, 2023, in the Board Meeting Room, 39 Bank Street, SE, Chatham, Virginia. Chairman
R. Allan Easley, called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. The following members were present:
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
R. Allan Easley Chairman Present 5:30 PM
Ronald E. Merricks Vice-Chairman Present 5:28 PM
Ryland Brumfield Board Member Present 5:27 PM
Joseph A. Craddock Board Member Present 5:29 PM
Ann Deering Board Member Present 5:27 PM
Hershel Stone Board Member Present 5:28 PM
Carroll Yeaman Board Member Present 5:27 PM
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Upon motion of Mr. Merricks, seconded by Mr. Stone, and by a unanimous vote, the agenda was
approved as presented.
RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Ronald E. Merricks, Carroll Yeaman
SECONDER: Hershel Stone, Board Member
AYES: Easley, Merricks, Brumfield, Craddock, Deering, Stone, Yeaman
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. BZA Minutes 02132023
Upon motion of Mr. Craddock, seconded by Mr. Stone, and by a unanimous vote, the minutes
were approved as presented.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Joseph A. Craddock, Board Member
SECONDER: Hershel Stone, Board Member
AYES: Easley, Merricks, Brumfield, Craddock, Deering, Stone, Yeaman
OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business.
NEW BUSINESS
Mrs. Ragsdale reported there will be no meeting in April. Mrs. Ragsdale reminded the board of
the bimonthly Zoning Ordinance Update workshop that will be held on Wednesday, April 12th
5:30.
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CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
There was no Chairman's report.
PUBLIC HEARING
1. Public Hearing: CaseS-23-001 Appalachian Power Company; Special Use Permit for
Public Utilities (Transmission Line)
The zoning precepts were read by Mr. Easley to open the public hearing at 6:04 p.m. Mrs.
Ragsdale, Director of Community Development, reported that Appalachian Power Company has
petitioned for a Special Use Permit on 0.34 acres, located in the Dan River Election District to
allow for public utilities. Craig Pritt represented the case. There was no opposition to the case. Mr.
Easley closed the public hearing at 6:06 p.m. A motion was made by Mr. Merricks, seconded by
Mrs. Deering, that the Board of Zoning Appeals grant the Special Use Permit.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Ronald E. Merricks, Vice-Chairman
SECONDER: Ann Deering, Board Member
AYES: Easley, Merricks, Brumfield, Craddock, Deering, Stone, Yeaman
2. Public Hearing: CaseS-23-002 Hillandale Solar, LLC; Special Use Permit for a Utility
Scale Solar Energy Facility.
Mr. Easley opened the public hearing at 6:08 p.m. Mrs. Ragsdale, Director of Community
Development reported that Hillandale Solar, LLC has petitioned for a Special Use Permit on
1,555.39 acres, located on State Road 639/Honeybee Road, State Road 761/Straightstone Road,
State Road 603/Wyatts Road, State Road 668/Cody Road, State Road 669/Melon Road located in
the Banister and Staunton River Election Districts to allow for a utility scale solar facility. Dan
Michaud, a project developer with Strata Clean Energy, represented the petition and presented a
power point presentation. He stated this project will be 102 megawatts in a remote part of the
county. Mr. Michaud said Strata operates and maintains 35 solar facilities under contract with
Dominion and is currently building 10 projects for Dominion. He stated this project is twelve (12)
parcels with twenty-three (23) landowners and just over 1,500 acres. He said they are proposing
to install panels on about 450 acres, the rest of the acreage will be used as landscape buffers,
stormwater management facilities and preserved open space. Mr. Michaud said that before
finalizing the application, project information was sent out to adjacent property owners for their
open house at the Hurt-Motley Community Center and additional project information was sent out
in January 2023. He stated this project will benefit Pittsylvania County in several ways, including
increasing local revenues, siting agreement payments, rollback & increased property taxes. He
stated that it virtually uses no county services, will create jobs during construction, and will provide
opportunities for local service providers, suppliers, and vendors. Mr. Michaud stated that Strata
entered into a siting agreement with the county and the county will receive nine (9) million dollars
over the lifetime of the project, with 20% paid the first year of operation. He said they have plenty
of land to ensure that setbacks and vegetative screening is fully in compliance with the county's
solar zoning ordinance. He stated this is a very well-hidden site, most properties have mature
timber, 25' or higher and these areas will be preserved to use as existing buffers. He also stated the
substation will be located directly below the transmission line, so there will be no need to develop
new connecting transmission lines. He said that staff recommended approval with 19 conditions
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which they fully support. Mr. Michaud asked the board members if they had any questions. Mr.
Easley asked about vegetation that is currently there, stating there are lots of pine trees already
there and he wanted to know if they will remain, Mr. Michaud stated that anything will remain
that is worth keeping for the vegetative buffer. He said the minimum buffer will be 100' as listed
in the ordinance and the conditions agreed upon. Mr. Stone asked what would happen if the LLC
went under? He stated that he knows that a bond is in place to secure clean-up, but wanted to know
the amount of the bond and what percentage would be used for clean-up. Mr. Michaud stated the
bond is based on a third-party engineer decommissioning estimate and the bond posted for the full
value estimate of decommissioning at a future time and they are revised every five years. Mr.
Merricks asked who will own this solar project. Mr. Michaud said that Strata currently owns this
project, they will build and operate themselves and sell the power under a power purchase
agreement. He said they have sold projects to Dominion. Mr. Brumfield asked about a parcel
shown on the map before you get to Wyatt's Road. Louis Iannone stated that this is a tiny parcel
that will have a transmission line, so it has to be posted as well according to the ordinance. Mr.
Easley called on the residents who signed up to speak. Chuck Angier stated that the county already
has 18,500 acres in solar development. He asked that the county uses discretion when considering
this case and stated that it can be denied even if all conditions are met. Alan Casper stated he has
grave concerns about this solar project. He stated he is the assistant chief of the fire department
that is the first due responding agency to this project and the fire and rescue commissioner for the
Banister District. He said he is also a senior radiation control technician at a nuclear manufacturing
facility, so he knows a lot about health and safety. Mr. Casper stated the Board of Supervisors has
a pending ordinance change directly affecting these solar farms, but it will not affect this project
as it will be grandfathered in. He stated that the reason for the ordinance change is because of their
concerns, we do not need to let this slide under the radar. He stated he has done research and about
80% of solar panels are manufactured in China, they have the potential to leech chemicals into the
groundwater over the years. Mr. Casper stated the fire department that services this area has two
engines, a tanker and a brush truck, and this solar farm is over 1,000 acres. If this project is
approved, it would put the citizens of the Banister and Staunton River Districts at risk. Joel Cathey
encouraged the county to pass this Special Use Permit, stating it's a great way for the county to get
funds without consuming a lot of county services. He said the project is well shielded, so it will
not be seen very easily. Barbara Dalton said her family farm will be involved in this solar project
and thinks Strata has done a wonderful job presenting their plans. She said this project is in a
remote area, it is not being used for agricultural uses, nothing has ever been grown on the land that
is in this project except for pine trees and they're not doing all that great doing that, she is in support
of this project. James Mashburn said a family cemetery is located on his property where his
ancestors fought to save this land that he lives on and the adjoining properties surrounding them.
He has grandchildren living on the property and he is concerned about what this project will do to
the land in the long term. He said he was approached with a fairly large sum of money about
running a line through his property and he said no regarding the future of his grandchildren. He
said he hopes this board will be an advocate for the families that do not want to be in an industrial
area, in fact they live there so they don't have to be in an industrial area. Sherry Queener stated
she owns land in the vicinity of this project, and she is in support of this project. She said it will
allow for the county to have extra revenue and it will be so remote that you will not be able to see
it. Cindy Reynolds owns land in this district, and she feels that it will benefit the county. She said
she has lived there for 59 years, and many people can't say that. She said her children and
grandchildren will inherit the land since it is a family farm and has been in the family for 100
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years, so she feels this will be a benefit to our community and to our family. Lisa Kelley is a
landowner in this project, and she stated this will be a good use for it as nothing grows on it. She
said she hopes this project is approved. Linda Rutledge is a landowner and is in favor of the project.
She stated there is not a lot grown on it, they do not get hardly any income from it, this will bring
in extra money. Becky Robertson's family owns property that is under a lease agreement to study
the feasibility of a solar panel project and she supports the project. She said fossil fuels are finite
and will not last forever, in addition they release harmful gases polluting our environment. She
said the sun is a sustainable source of energy to power homes and businesses if solar panels are
used to harvest that energy. She also stated that solar panels do not cause greenhouse gases, in
addition, the panels are silent and space-saving, this can lessen the strain on our electrical grid.
She said this would allow our country to become more independent by reducing dependence on
foreign oil and fuels. She stated that currently the land she owns is wet and rocky and only good
for growing pine trees which take 30 - 40 years to reap any monetary value. She said that solar
panels will provide yearly rent money for the landowners which will aid them in paying real estate
taxes. She also stated the solar panels creating electricity should lessen the strain on the electrical
grid, solar energy generated should help reduce energy bills for all consumers, she is 100 % in
favor of this project. Ms. Robertson was the last person to speak. Mr. Easley called Mr. Michaud
back to answer any questions and address any concerns. He stated as far as the eye sores, he thinks
some of the earlier projects in the Commonwealth weren't put in the best locations. He said he has
seen lots of solar projects and he thinks this is one of the best locations, given the remote area, and
their ability to hide the panels from view because of the mature vegetation that they can maintain
in place 100-foot vegetative buffers. He stated that solar panels do not leach chemicals, there is
nothing liquid, the facilities have steel foundations, electrical equipment mounted on top and then
some concrete was necessary for substation equipment, nothing is particularly different about solar
panel equipment design and construction from other types of electrical facility design and
construction. He said as far as emergency response goes, the National Fire Protection Agency has
training specifically for solar, so this is fairly well understood. They are also required to do annual
Fire and Rescue training with first responders as part of their permit conditions and these are very
quiet facilities, there are no air emissions, he would not characterize it as creating an industrial
area, particularly in this location where they are planning to install this project if it is the will of
this board tonight to approve the permit. There were no further questions or comments from the
audience or the board. Mr. Easley closed the public hearing at 6:49 p.m. Comments from the board
were next. Mr. Brumfield stated he drove down and looked at the properties. He stated it is a
remote area of the county. He said as he drove through the county, he understands the solar
facilities that are very visible and there is a lot of opposition against those, but we do have some
that are shielded very well with the landscaping. He stated he is in favor of this project, but if the
board feels we need to go further with the setbacks or further with the screening to better shield
the panels from view, he could support that also. Mr. Easley agreed with Mr. Brumfield saying we
have 1,500 acres and this project will be in the neighborhood of 450 acres of actual panels . He
stated that several folks spoke stating it is a remote area that's good and bad from a safety point of
view for a firefighter, I understand. As far as looking at it from the picture of the county looking
at the remoteness, or visual aspect he will say it's in as good a location that it can be if the board
has the opinion to approve it. He said there are also 19 conditions that have been recommended by
staff, he recommended that if they read a positive motion, that these 19 conditions be included in
that motion. Mr. Merricks said he rode out to look at the project and he certainly understands the
comments tonight, both for and against. He said he is glad to know that the Board of Supervisors
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have finally decided to do something because we've got too much of our land in solar panels, that's
just his personal opinion. He cannot vote his personal opinion, however, when he goes out to look
at the farm and the trees and it's pretty out there and people want to go out there to get away from
everything, that is the place to go. But, with that being said, he said we have an obligation to find
adverse effects that can be mitigated through conditions. He said that when it gets to this level, it's
very tough to make those decisions and he hard Mr. Angier and he certainly understands that at
the same time solar is with us, it's going to be with us, personally he would like to see it benefit
the consumer more than it does the big companies, if he could see it in his pocketbook, he might
like it better, but at the same time, he hasn't seen that happen, nor has he seen any dollars coming
into the county yet. He said with that being said, given the location, he can probably see a positive
motion. Mr. Easley asked if there were any other comments. Mr. Brumfield said that when one
drives down Straightstone Road and they go by Cedar Forest Place, it's a very nice place and you
drive a little farther and there is a mill on the left, he definitely does not want to do anything that
would affect the appearance of that area and that is why he brought up the setbacks, if the board
feels that the setbacks from the road that concerns him the most is Straighstone Road, if the board
feels the setbacks are back far enough from that road and the shielding will be thick enough, then
he would support a favorable motion. Mr. Easley asked if he was recommending that the setbacks
be moved back further. Mr. Brumfield is just looking for views from other members of the board,
he is okay with that but maybe someone on the board feels a little different, but he is in favor of
the project. Let's just make sure that the screening and the setbacks are right. Mr. Craddock says
the information in the packet the scale of the information is so large it's hard to tell exactly where
this place Mr. Brumfield is talking about is on the map, maybe if we ask the folks from Strata to
clarify what exactly it looks like in the exact location. Mr. Easley asked if someone from Strata
could show how far the actual setback is off Straightstone Road, where the solar panels would
begin. Dan Michaud and Chris Blanco presented a large map to the board. Mrs. Ragsdale asked to
repeat what was said since the audience could not hear. Mr. Brumfield asked to see the view shed
of when one is driving down Straightstone Road in the area of Cedar Forest. He said he wanted to
see what would be seen if someone is driving down the road, if the screening is done correctly, the
view of the solar panels should be blocked, that's what he was concerned about. Mr. Michaud
stated that this was a visual representation of a view shed technical analysis they had done by a
third-party engineering firm, the red areas are where the project is 40 to 50 % of the solar panels
are visible for that location, this is with the preserved vegetative screening. He said if you look
over in the same location that was just discussed, there is zero visibility from that vantage point
with the screening in place. Mr. Brumfield said it looks like if you go down Honeybee Road you
can see a little bit of the solar panels. Mr. Michaud said if you look over in the Northeast where
it's an off-white color on the map, you get into the up to 10 % from that location, the next map is
what it looks like no screening, and he also shows screening required by our ordinance that is listed
in the 19 conditions which are being proposed as a preserved vegetative buffer. Mr. Brumfield
stated that answered his question. A motion was made by Mr. Brumfield, seconded by Mr.
Craddock that the Board of Zoning Appeals grant the Special Use Permit with the 19 conditions
recommended by staff. 1. Site Development Plan; Location. All solar panels and other above-
ground equipment will be located within the “Project Area” shown on the Conceptual Site Plan
included with the SUP application. All Site Plan requirements of Section 35-141 must be met
before permits are issued. 2. Height. Except for the collection yard and substation or otherwise as
required by applicable building code, the maximum height of the solar panels and other above -
ground equipment will be 15 feet. 3. Setbacks. Except for fencing and any pole mounted electronic
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lines, consistent with the County ordinance, all above-ground equipment shall meet the setback
requirements set forth in Section 35-141 (D). No setbacks are required between the parcels lines
of parcels that are part of a single Project. No setbacks are required between the parcels lines of
parcels that are part of a single Project. 4. Fencing. Fencing for the Project will be standard chain-
link and at least 6 feet high. The Applicant shall maintain the fence for the life of the Project. 5.
Landscaping. Applicant will comply with Section 35-121 Fencing - Screening. At the perimeter
locations, the setback will include a minimum 100-foot-wide landscaped area comprised of any
existing vegetation supplemented as needed with a staggered row of planted trees and large shrubs.
All rows of planted vegetation shall be evergreen plantings of varieties native or adaptable to the
region, with one (1) row consisting of a variety expected to reach a minimum height of twenty-
five (25) feet and the remaining rows of varieties designed to reach at least fifteen (15) feet in
height at maturity. All evergreens shall be a minimum of six (6) feet in height at time of planting.
Existing vegetation shall be maintained and supplemented with new plantings as needed to
maintain required screening. Prior to construction and site plan approval, a landscaping
maintenance plan will be submitted to the Zoning Administrator for approval, which shall provide
for the posting of a bond or other surety in an amount sufficient to ensure that the plantings are
successfully established, and the landscaping is maintained or replaced during the life of the
Project. Landscape renderings or simulations shall be sealed by a registered landscape architect.
6. Construction Management and Mitigation. Prior to construction, the Applicant shall prepare
and submit to the Zoning Administrator a construction management plan to address traffic control
methods, site access, fencing, lighting, mitigation of construction operations, and hours of
construction activity. 7. Viewshed Protection. A Viewshed Protection Plan shall be submitted to
and approved by the Director of Community Development prior to the issuance of permits,
identifying appropriate measures that will be taken to protect the viewshed surrounding the project
during construction. 8. Road Repairs. All public and private roads must remain open during
construction. Any damage to roads caused by construction will be promptly repaired to
preconstruction conditions and/or VDOT standards where deemed necessary. 9. Erosion and
Sediment Control. Prior to construction, an approved erosion and sediment control plan will be
implemented for the entire Project, and an erosion and sediment control bond will be provided. 10.
Stormwater Management. Prior to construction, a Virginia Stormwater Management Program
Permit from the Virginia DEQ will be obtained for the Project, including an approved Stormwater
Pollution Prevention Plan. 11. Operational Noise and Electrical Interference. The Project will
comply with all applicable County requirements for noise and shall not generate or create electrical
interruptions or interference with existing electrical or electronic uses. 12. Operational Light.
Fixed lighting at the perimeter of the Project will be limited to gates and will be shielded/downward
facing to minimize light spillage and shall be motion-activated. 13. Compliance. The project shall
be designed, constructed, and tested to meet all applicable local, state, and federal standards. 14.
Decommissioning. In accordance with Section 35-141(E), the applicant shall completely
decommission the facility within 12 months, if the facility ceases to generate electricity for a
continuous period of 12 months, including all solar collectors, cabling, electrical components,
fencing and any other associated equipment, facilities, and structures. Prior to construction and
approval of the entire site plan, a decommissioning plan will be submitted to the Zoning
Administrator, which shall provide for the posting of a bond or other surety acceptable to the
County in the amount of the decommissioning costs, not including salvage value, for the Project.
15. Start of construction. The SUP will expire unless construction of the entire Project is
commenced within 3 years of the date of issuance of the SUP. 16. Survival. So long as the Project
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is operated in conformance with these conditions, the SUP shall continue for the life of the Project.
17. Comply with all DEQ regulations regarding nonpoint source pollutants. Chemical sprays
used in weed control shall comply with DEQ regulations. 18. Fire and Rescue Training. The
applicant shall provide annual training to the local fire department regarding solar energy facilities.
19. Ordinance Compliance. The project shall remain in compliance with all other applicable
requirements of the Pittsylvania County Code § 35-141(D), § 35-141(E), and § 35-141(F) not
specifically stated in the conditions of this Special Use Permit.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Ryland Brumfield, Board Member
SECONDER: Joseph A. Craddock, Board Member
AYES: Easley, Merricks, Brumfield, Craddock, Deering, Stone, Yeaman
3. Public Hearing: CaseS-22-024; Special Use Permit for a Marina and a Public Garage.
The board took a 10-minute break from 7:02 pm - 7:12 pm. Mr. Easley opened the public hearing
at 7:22 p.m. Mrs. Ragsdale, Director of Community Development, reported that The Dock at SML,
LLC, petitioned for a Special Use Permit on 23.25 acres, located in the Callands-Gretna Election
District to allow for a marina, and a public garage. On February 7, 2023, the Planning Commission
recommended by a 5-2 vote with opposition that the petitioners be granted with the following
conditions:
1. The applicant and residents on Locust Lane must enter into a road maintenance agreement.
2. Locust Lane cannot be utilized as a construction entrance for any future construction plans.
3. Must remain in compliance with all applicable Virginia Department of Health regulations.
4. Must remain in compliance with AEP regulations.
The staff summary is enclosed in the board packet. Mr. Chairman, Jeff Wils on with the Dock at
SML is here to represent the petition. Jeff Wilson-Hello, my name is Jeff Wilson with the
ownership group of the Dock at Smith Mountain Lake so good evening and thank you Mr.
Chairman, Mr. Vice-Chairman and board members and County staff, we appreciate the time and
hearing this request tonight. You'll find our case on page 663 of your packet. We are here to request
your approval on our marina property to become a legal conforming use as a marina under the
current RPD zoning. The Dock has been a commercial marina property since 1966. It was one of
the first, if not the first marina on Smith Mountain Lake. As a marina, we fall under the bounds
and jurisdiction of AEP, in providing public access to Smith Mountain Lake. Referring to the slide
in your handouts, page 3, which outlined the goals of AEP's Shoreline Management Plan. These
goals help document the provision of public access to Smith Mountain Lake. I'll refer you to 2
sections seen in your handout and on the slides, section 1.3.4 AEP's Shoreline Management Plan
has the goal of enhancing recreational opportunities by considering boating densities and
navigation and maximizing available use of project waters. Section 1.3.8 goal of the Shoreline
Management plan is striving for a balance that supports local economic interest yet protects
environmental and recreational resources that allow the public to enjoy these interests and
resources. Currently we are grand fathered in as a legal non-conforming use, even though it has
been a commercial marina since 1966, and the Pittsylvania County Zoning Ordinance didn't begin
until 1991.Staff has made the determination in order to do any waterfront improvements,
modifications or to add boat storage, we must have a special use permit. In essence, any expansion
or modification to the marina would require becoming a legal conforming use, meaning that if we
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simply desire to add, modify or improve one single boat slip, this county determination says that
a permit is required. So, this case is not specifically about adding more boat slips, boat storage to
the site, at the base level this is a request for the marina, that has been a marina for almost 60 years,
continue to be a marina, under a legal conforming use with RPD zoning. So, we are thankful to be
at this stage of the process, county staff recommended approval, planning commission
recommended approval, we are requesting your approval for our application as submitted with an
added component. In response to the planning commission, and our neighbors’ concerns, that we,
the Dock at Smith Mountain Lake, will take full responsibility of maintaining the private drive
Locust Lane through a declaration of road maintenance. We will bear the burden, upkeep and
maintenance of this private access road within our property boundary up to the entrance and access
to the dock at Smith Mountain Lake, this will be a formally recorded declaration of road
maintenance. It would fully satisfy the conditions proposed by the Planning Commission and more
than fully addressed concerns from neighboring property owners and or not using the private drive
as a construction entrance, with this road maintenance declaration, we will maintain the private
drive Locust Lane up to our entrance and access point for the Dock at Smith Mountain Lake. For
a visual reference I would refer you to look at your slides & handouts, pages 5 & 6, this displays
travel up Smith Mountain Road to Locust Lane to access the entry point of our property, just to
give reference on this display is the private drive Locust Lane, turn down Locust Lane to the access
point for the Dock at Smith Mountain Lake. In summary we are a marina, we have been a marina
since 1966. There are many things in place to oversee marina operations from AEP, to VDH, to
county building code and permitting all within the framework of providing public access to Smith
Mountain Lake. We will certainly remain in compliance with VDH and AEP. In Regard to VDH
we have a certificate to operate and are continuously working with them in regard to our
development plans moving forward. You'll see the VDH documentation on page 700 of your
county staff packet. In regard to AEP, AEP has stated Appalachian has reviewed preliminary plans
for the development of dock structures along the shoreline associated with the dock at Smith
Mountain Lake and has determined that the existing and proposed uses are consistent with the
classifications established by the Shoreline Management Program. Appalachian notes that
commercial uses are currently established and that the existing dock structures are currently
associated with an established commercial use. Appalachian does not object to efforts to seek
Pittsylvania County approval for expansion. Appalachian considers the shoreline adjacent to the
subject property to be appropriate for high density commercial uses. AEP documentation can be
found on page 701 & 702 in the county staff packet. We have gone above and beyond responding
to county staff, neighboring property owners and done so on many components not directly related
to this SUP application. So, we are asking for you the Board of Zoning Appeals to approve this
request and ask specifically the application be approved with the following conditions: 1. The
applicant will record a Declaration of Road Maintenance for Locust Lane, from Smith Mountain
Road up to entrance of The Dock at Smith Mountain Lake. 2. Applicant must remain in compliance
with all applicable Virginia Department of Health regulations. 3. Applicant must remain in
compliance with all applicable AEP regulations. I'll reserve the remainder of my time for any
questions or follow-up as needed. Thank you. Mr. Easley-any questions for the applicant,
comments? Ronald Merricks-I guess I'm just kind of asking questions. Have you had any contact
with the Department of Wildlife Resources regarding the plan expansion? Jeff Wilson- Yes, for
the components that have their jurisdiction, so they have been involved in some of the items that
affect the code that the marina is situated in, so we've worked with them and actually adding an
additional no wake buoy to that area which as a marina operators are responsible for, o we had one
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previously, worked with those jurisdictions TLAC and otherwise to add an additional no wake
buoy. Ronald Merricks- If I understand the plan is to put a 120-boat dry storage unit, is that correct?
Jeff Wilson - Dry stack boat storage? Ronald Merricks- Right. What statistical information did
you all use to come up with that number 120? Did you have any kind of given the narrowness of
cove, and if I read it right, that will be a total of 197 boat slips with the additions and the ones the
take aways and the 120 storage, where did you get that number? Jeff Wilson - Various components,
it's a sort of third-party review for civil engineers looking at the space but there's other jurisdictions
involved that control the density and capacity. So, AEP for one is looking at all the density and
capacity uses based on the size of that cove and they go through some very sophisticated
calculations based on the size of the cove based on the amount of shoreline for our property, this
is sort of a maximum density AEP can regulate, combined VDH has their own regulations on
number of slips and their own calculations for number of slips in the water, and or dry stack storage
boat slips that could sort of fill the space at the dock at Smith Mountain Lake has on shoreline.
Ronald Merricks - Okay. How many parking spaces are you all planning to have? Jeff Wilson -
Well, the conceptual plan has a great deal of parking on the site, some of those are combined for
potential buy right uses, some of them is a part of the special use permitting and so they were, they
saying the civil engineer side of site planning we're calculating a number based on those numbers,
we were just backing into for the boat storage and the marina operations and the west slips. Ronald
Merricks - So all the boats in dry storage that they use, are they privately owned, rented, for sale,
or a combination of all three? Jeff Wilson - the boats in the dry stack storage Ronald Merricks -
are they going to be privately owned boats, or they going to be rental boats, are they going to be
boats for sale or what? Jeff Wilson - Privately owned boats for storage Ronald Merricks - Privately
owned, no rentals. Jeff Wilson - I'm not sure when, we do have rental boats at the facility, some of
those are used in wet slips so it would use those spaces that we're backing into those numbers for
on the water dry stack storage correct. Ronald Merricks - What hours do you all plan to operate?
Jeff Wilson - Hours? Ronald Merricks - Hours Jeff Wilson - we vary through the season, and we
would have to adjust again, this is somewhat conceptual, so we'd have to look at staffing, hours
and then there's just the capacity component of getting boats in the water. How many can operate
to get to the fuel. It would be fairly standard hours during the in-season time frame Mr. Easley -
which are what? What are standard hours? Jeff Wilson - they vary, (turns to audience member and
asks what are our main in season hours now?) 9-7. Mr. Merricks - I spoke with AEP myself, I
called and had a nice conversation with a lady and because they have no control over the number
of boats, they referred me to the Department of Wildlife Resources, and I called them and finally
talked to a guy and what concerns me most is there seems to be no control over how many boats
go into Smith Mountain Lake, nobody has control over the number of boats, there's no formal
regulation regarding the number of boats, the boat traffic, the only thing they require is that the
buoys be in place to have the no wake, the buoy things, and I'm not a boat person, I'll be honest
with you and given my lack of limited knowledge of boating but from a common sense point of
view, 197 slips in that little bitty cove is to me is a lot of boats and a lot of boats and a lot
particularly on like a July 4th weekend, when there's a lot of people who want to get out there on
their boat and from what I could see they'll be some mad people because they can't get that boat in
the water fast enough and I just don't understand all this but anyway, but I realize that's always
going to be conflict between residential property owners and public water usage and I certainly
understand that but I'm just looking at it from a common sense, and it just doesn't make a lot of
sense to me but anyway, be that as it may, that's all I have. Carol Yeaman - When you were talking
about the number of slips in that cove, did you take into consideration the neighbors across the
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cove that they have docks also and that would attribute also to the number of boats within that
cove. That is a very small cove, I have been boating on that lake since 1966 and I knew Fred
Munson when h built this dock, so I'm familiar with that area very well and it just seems like that's
a lot for that little cove. Jeff Wilson-That's right, and we are one of the neighbors across the cove,
we own a couple of the parcels across the cove ourselves, so we are aware and it does sort of back
into a utilization rate, what can take place based on the space, so that goes back to the AEP
component and the VDH component, they both have measurable components of what can really
happen back here on this set up and so that's why they're going through those calculations on docks
need to be this close this many slips, this far apart, they measure one third of the cove usage back
in there so boats can have free access down the center of the cove while they are accessing either
residents across the cove from us or the marina operations so it's looked at from a various AEP,
VDH , DWR, TLAC. Ronald Merricks -What I did find out is that they don't look at anything
beyond the shoreline, like the boat storage, they don't, they're not too worried about that. Jeff
Wilson - To a degree, AEP you're correct, VDH is tied into that from the back end as far as how
many slips and they have their calculation of what's a density usage allowable for the shoreline.
VDH has their own marina program through the Department of Environmental Health and so we've
been working with them on what's in place for the number of slips and proposed development
plans. Ronald Merricks - The gentleman I talked to at the Department of Wildlife Resources, the
first question I asked him was are you familiar with the application for the expansion of the marina?
He stated, no I am not. The second question I asked was have you seen the cove that this marina
is located in? He said "No, I haven't", so I was a little concerned about the response from them
regarding this application because it's a big thing, but seem to be loop less, scoopless and clueless.
Jeff Wilson - Sure, so we're involved with the AEP communication and the VDH communication
from DWR and VDH side, they've been involved for he no wake buoys, so they're responsible for
that cove and the distance limitations in the water. Ronald Merricks - I think you mentioned TLAC
was responsible for the buoys, right? If I'm not mistaken. Jeff Wilson- In coordination with DWR,
correct. Hershel Stone - Mr. Chairman, I have a couple questions. Are you planning to have any
type of rental cabins or any type of units there? At one time, there were trailers on the property, is
any of that part of your plan? Jeff Wilson - So as a part of this application, site plan conceptual is
a part of that but not specifically for this application, so there are some by right uses for the current
zoning that aren't specific to this necessarily special use permit, but as part of the site plan,
conceptual piece that we submitted for this process we are looking at some by right uses for some
cabin residential type component in this section. Hershel Stone - How many would that be? Jeff
Wilson - To be determined. I mean we haven't, there's a bit of a chicken or the egg component of
what comes first to get to that stage but we're still evaluating that through some site planning aside
from this special use permit. Hershel Stone - At one time there was a restaurant operated there, I
guess that's no longer there, are you planning on putting the restaurant in, is that part of your. Jeff
Wilson - Not a part of these plans. Hershel Stone - Why did you stop using the restaurant on the
water and why did you take the trailers out? Jeff Wilson- Restaurant is, there's still a grill on the
water, on the dock, I'm not sure about the trailers, our group took ownership in May of 2020.
Hershel Stone - Okay. Jeff Wilson - There were some old sort of abandoned cabins structures, we
did some site clean-up and demoed some of those that were in disrepair. I'm not sure about how
far the trailers may have dated. Hershel Stone - Earlier, he asked how many parking places you
are going to have, is that to be determined also? Jeff Wilson - Correct. Hershel Stone - Okay. It's
helpful to have that information, you know how many cabins you want to have, how many parking
places you want to have, how many slips you want to have, to be able to approve it and I just
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thought I would mention that to you. Jeff Wilson - Thank you. Allan Easley - You speak, you refer
often to AEP that you're working with them now, getting back to the 120-boat dry storage, you
refer to AEP directing that or I'm not referring to AEP in the dry dock storage comment, or is that
something that you and your group have come up with? Jeff Wilson - A little of both, it's sort of a
tandem component and developing some plans on our own end in some third-party site planning,
civil engineering tied into AEP feedback and communication in tandem tied into VDH
communication and feedback. Allan Easley - And what's the AEP telling you? Jeff Wilson - It's a
little bit again of the chicken and the egg component in terms of who's doing what first and who
can approve something first, but I'll just refer back to the components, 701 and 702 of your packet
from the county staff references where AEP stands and how they're looking at our proposal right
now for the special use permit. They've reviewed the plans, determined that existing and proposed
uses are consistent with the classifications established by the shoreline management program.
Commercial uses are already established in existing dock structures are currently associated with
an established commercial use. Appalachian does not object to your efforts to seek Pittsylvania
County approval for expansion, Appalachian already considers the shoreline adjacent to the subject
property to be appropriate for high density commercial uses. Allan Easley - I'm sorry, but where
in there do I hear I have 120 dry slip building. I'm kind of like Ronald Merricks, that's a lot of
boats and Smith Mountain Lake gets extremely busy, three or four times a year and if I guess my
concern is if you get a call to put 100 boats in the water on July 4th, that's a concern. Jeff Wilson-
Right, so you know again, we are under sort of that purview of AEP to help provide public access
to the lake as a marina. Allan Easley - I understand that I'm with you, I've got that part. Jeff Wilson
- There's the common sense utility usage of what can actually be done in terms of getting boats in
the water and so that's why we're backing into those numbers you know AEP has not given a lot
of specifics, they're saying hey, you guys get your approvals from the county under special use
permit and then we can take some next steps forward, really those items should happen
concurrently but AEP's taking that chicken or the egg, which comes first saying they're going to
work with us to develop that density maximum capacity, make sure it fits all of their coordination
components and their calculus of what fits for this shoreline this width of the cove and getting in
the water. Allan Easley - that seems like it puts a lot of pressure on the Board of Zoning Appeals
here to okay 120 slip boat storage facility, without quite frankly any guidance from the applicant.
Jeff Wilson - And our guidance is coming from AEP and VDH so there's sort of multiple
components that are trying to work in tandem here, otherwise the wheels just keep spinning. Allan
Easley- But who told you, let me go back, let me spin the wheel back around. Who told you 120
slip dry dock storage, I guess is my question. Jeff Wilson - So that's a number that's being backed
into from general guidance from AEP, the specific guidance from VDH marina program through
their department of environmental health has specific calculations for the number of slips, what
constitutes a slip, so they count slips and the water is one dry stack boat storage slips or the equation
they use to count as one-third and so based on that density, how much shoreline frontage you have,
where your facilities are, you mentioned the restaurant where the restrooms, they have to be in a
certain distance to those facilities so it's sort of backed into with those different parties involved.
Allan Easley - I guess I'm confused. Ronald Merricks - There's a lot of backing here. Allan Easley
- It is, you know we don't have I guess we don't have any documentation from VDH or AEP or
quite frankly you from as the applicant telling us this is how we have arrived at this number, this
I what AEP said and this is what VDH said, we're back and forth. Jeff Wilson - Understood and
that goes forward as you get into the permitting through VDH so we propose these plans, they've
looked at them, given general agreement, but then you need to move to the next step or back to the
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chicken and the egg. We don't have a special use permit, that we would need to do permitting
through VDH where they would then approve number of slips based on these facilities based on
this distance from the shoreline based on these number of slips, so I guess what I'm saying is there's
outside of the board of zoning appeals, we're asking to become a conforming use under the RPD
zoning and so we would be having this discussion if we had a proposal to add or modify one slip
and what we are stating and asking is that other jurisdictions will be involved in the definitive
permitting number density, capacity AEP and VDH outside of BZA County special use permitting.
Ronald Merricks - I don't know but I feel like and I'm sorry but it's a great picture and a great
picture, it's a great little drawing but there's too many, we've got to do this, to do this, somebody's
got to say before this is done and then we're going to approve something that we have no clue what
we are proving and that really bothers me, I mean I'm sorry. I think we need it, I'm not against the
marina, but I think the planning of this particular marina lot expansion, it talks a lot about the
chicken and the egg, well I don't really care about chicken and eggs, I want to see a plan that
documents everything and had everybody's input in it that shows exactly what's going to happen
when, where it's going to happen, how many boar slips while they have so many boat slips, I just
don't see that in this application. I may be the only one and that's fine. Hershel Stone- Mr.
Chairman, I'd like to add to that. I believe that this is a vision that I have in my mind of additional
boat storage, additional access, restaurant, cabins could be a really great thing for Pittsylvania
County and so I 100 percent support that vision but I really would like to see some engineering
drawings in saying hey we're going to have this number of slips, we're going to have this number
of cabins, we're going to have this number of cabins parking places, if we're going to have a
basketball court, a pickleball court, a beach, whatever you're going to have that you're going to
draw people to your facility is what you know I've I would like to see, to say hey this is it, but I
100 percent believe that improving the property in Pittsylvania County for our tax base and for
access for our citizens it's a great thing, you know in any rate. Carroll Yeaman - well it's you know
that's my concern that if there's just too many slip there at 120 you know, I just have a hard time
wrapping head around supporting 120 slips , a story there, I do know there is a need for storage
on this side of the lake that would be helpful to people, I know there's a waiting list the marinas
that if you want to store your boat, just about probably a year wait, so I realize that, but I kind of
agree with the other guy that we are asked to approve something when we don't know what we're
approving. Jeff Wilson - We've backed into the number with the other jurisdictions involved you
know the marina sued to much more activity utilization many more slips, long before we were
owners. There was dry stack storage on the site there were other wet slips on the site again, we
came in 2020 cleaned up a lot of the stuff that was in disrepair upland and on the water, so this
component again is to ask your approval that we could move forward with these jurisdictions that
have the oversight capacity and density components to make some progress of continuing to make
this a public access for Pittsylvania County storage access benefit for Pennsylvania County clean
it up under these provisions of dry stack storage and wet slip is presented on the plans. Allan Easley
- Anymore questions or comments for the applicant? Okay, we may have some a little later. Thank
you, sir. Okay, the only person signed up to speak is Mr. Glenn Pulley. Glenn Pulley - Good
evening, some of you have known me for decades, I came to Danville in 1976 and joined a law
firm called Clement and Wheatley, and was with that firm until 2015 and I joined a firm in
Roanoke then and that firm is Gentry Locke and my law partner John Puvak who is a land-use
lawyer is with me tonight and he would like to share some of the time that we have which I
understand is 10 minutes, is that right? I mentioned that I started working as a lawyer in 1976
under the tutelage of Mr. Stewart Wheatley who told me that if you're winning, stop talking, so
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I'm inclined to not talk a lot tonight. I sounds like many of you members on the board have already
understood one of the primary concerns that we have and when I say we I want to say who the we
are, we have residents who we represent, they are 29 that my firm represents who are opposed to
the granting of this special use permit if you're a client, would you stand up please? And would
you just affirm that you're opposed to the granting of all. Right, thank you. Many of these folks
are on the Locust Lane side of the cove and some are on the other side of the cove which has been
accurately described as a very narrow, short cove that has boat traffic from the permanent residents
there and from the marina this proposal would add quite a bit more under circumstances which are
candidly acknowledged by the applicant to be uncertain at this time. One of the points that we
made in the submission that I hope all of you have seen we sent an e-mail to Mr. Easley on Friday
and I'm sure, I hope you've had a chance to receive it and read it, if not we've brought extra copies
tonight but one of the points we make is a residential planned unit development district and the
purpose, the stated purpose of this district is and has been to promote a well-planned living
environment to encourage a variety in housing and supporting community facilities while
encouraging accessory commercial uses. Now the term accessory, we all know what that means,
it means that there's a main thing and there's something that is an accessory to the main thing.
Well, the main thing in this residential district that we're talking about we call it an RPD District
the main thing is residential use which is supplemented or supported by a commercial use. The
application as the conversation has gone tonight makes it abundantly clear that there is no
residential use that is embedded in this application, it's all commercial use, there's a request to
expand a commercial use known as a marina and there's an additional request to construct what is
called a public garage, but it's really not a public garage, it's a dry boat storage facility and there's
a difference between a public garage, I'm not saying we want a public garage but there's a
difference between a public garage and a dry boat storage facility. But either ay whether you call
it one thing or the other, what it really is, it is going to add a huge number of boats to that very
confined area, so I wanted to make that point tonight and then I'm going to make a second point
and I'll turn it over to my partner John Puvak. The second point I want to make has to do with the
planning commission’s vote and Mrs. Ragsdale, I thought I heard you say the vote was five to
zero. Emily Ragsdale - It should have been five to two. Glenn Pulley - five to two, right? Maybe I
misheard you but the vote was five to two and I wasn't present at the Planning Commission but I
have heard from other who were there seemed to be in the minds of at least some of the members
of the Planning Commission this idea that as the applicant said tonight that oh the AEP, they
control everything related to the cove to the waterway itself, well that's just not true. You control
the use of the properties, and the properties include the riparian rights, we all know what riparian
rights are. These properties that are along the cove and that adjoin the cove, these property owners
enjoy riparian rights that are meaningful property interests and those riparian rights will be
compromised and affected by the type of use on this cove that is being proposed by this applicant
and so your job as the BZA is to do your own assessment of what is going to be the impact on the
various properties that are already enjoying the cove. The AEP has a role, there's no doubt about
that but it is not an exclusive roll, it is not a role that preempts you the Board of Zoning Appeals
from exercising your duty to protect the property rights of those who are within the geographical
zone where this is proposed endeavor is scheduled. We cited in primarily frankly for the BZA's
council Mr. Dadack, we cited a very well-reasoned and well-written decision by a circuit court
judge in North Cumberland County Judge Toliver is the Jennings case and I'm just going to quote
one, it's a 10 page opinion but in that opinion Judge Tolliver specifically said the court finds that
the grant of general zoning authority over land alone necessarily or fairly implies that localities
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may exercise the essential and indispensable regulations of structure and the uses on the water
which by their very nature are inseparable from the zoning permitted use of the upland so what
that is saying is counties who have zoning authority have the authority to make decisions about
the use of properties and in doing so they should take in to consideration the riparian rights that's
what that language from the court says. John Puvak - I'm going to defer him before he runs out of
time. Let me make a few points, he said he'd be brief, but he's spoke for eight minutes so that's
why we submit a letter when time is short, the night is long. We hope you read those points I want
to focus on one key point that was brought in the applicant's presentation the BZA usually can
mitigate impacts right mitigate impacts through conditions I think that's an attempt here but if the
conditions just can't mitigate this use really can't mitigate such that the BZA can make the finding
it has to make right, the finding is black and white that use will not be a substantial detriment to
the adjacent property right and I think that the comments by the BZA make clear what we heard
from the applicant tonight, those conditions staff made a condition that won't use Locust Lane, I
think the applicant is pushing back on that and proposing Locust Lane with shared use that road
and that ground was plowed years ago, you know the applicant got a road map in 2021 when the
Planning Commission rejected this to come back with a number of items. Those items have not
been done, so we're here, we're back now a couple years later, so the conditions really are a
problem, you know they just even if those conditions are there, the county does not want to be the
Arbiter of using this road or not using this road, that's a problematic condition so really again
coming back to if you can mitigate a use through conditions then it should be approved. It's just
not possible here given what the proposed uses are in the conditions. Again, the only other
component I'll make is the comprehensive plan, I think that it hasn't been mentioned but the
government's plan is important. I recognize AEP and the shoreline management plan says high
density commercial the commercial plan says medium residential, so again going back to what Mr.
Pulley said, residential users are important if this applicant was coming forward with a concept
plan and the rezoning that was done in 2006 we wouldn't be here, we wouldn't be here, we would
have told our clients to stay home and that's what would be built here but that's not what's being
proposed so, this Marina's been shoe horned, there's a variance, there's non-conforming status it
shouldn't be expanded. Thank you very much. Allan Easley - Mr. Wilson would you like to rebut
those comments? Jeff Wilson - Asked to go back to the slide presentation. So, I guess it's in rebuttal
and in response and in summary, you know to our opening comments and the other feedback, just
want to reiterate the AEP components involved in this property, their jurisdiction and their
oversight and how we've worked with them the other jurisdiction the VDH in the county to bring
us here tonight. Again, starting with AEP, they are working to maximize the available use of the
waters by the public. They have goals to allow the public to enjoy these interests and resources at
Smith Mountain Lake. This property used to be much more dense, much more capacity and usage
on the water and boat slips and dry stack storage, there were water slides on the property, all kinds
of other stuff. The property is suited and situated under AEP shoreline management plan to look
at our proposal and manage the density that in combination with VDH, their oversight for the
number of slips the location of slips, location of facilities in regard to those slips for the property
have backed us into this number and proposal that we're presenting to you this evening. so, I just
want to reiterate that there are other jurisdictional pieces involved to control the density and
capacity for the Dock at Smith Mountain Lake. AEP, VDH, mentioned DWR, TLAC, so they will
all have continuing impacts to oversee what's taking place on the shoreline for The Dock at Smith
Mountain Lake. We can't get anywhere without some approval to be a conforming use as a marina,
which has been a marina. There are multiple generations of families that come visit the marina,
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almost daily to visit what's been there for years as a marina to provide them, their children, their
grandchildren, some of them aren't even coming to use the boat slips, or the storage, they're coming
to feed the fish in the water and visit the property. It's had this density before, we're requesting and
proposing through this proposal to add wet slips, to add they dry stack storage, knowing that we're
continually going to be under this jurisdiction of AEP, VDH, DWR, TLAC and so that's why we
brought forward these conditions asking for your approval that we become a conforming use
marina, which has been a marina for a long time, we want it to continue to be a marina. We want
to continue to make improvements that we've already begun to make in cleaning up and disrepair
and providing access to the public. The county wants this to be a public access to Smith Mountain
Lake, there are guards in place from these other jurisdictions to manage the density and capacity,
but the county is never going to allow us or anybody else to move forward unless we take the steps
of becoming a conforming use marina. Continuing to be under the bounds of AEP, VDH, DWR
and TLAC, and so that's why we're asking for your request to approve it with the conditions as
presented tonight. Allan Easley - Any other questions for the applicant, comments? Thank you,
sir. The time is now 8:12, we will close the public hearing. Comments? Opinions? I have a question
for Mrs. Ragsdale, I'm probably supposed to know the answer, but I don't. Can an applicant
withdraw a permit application without penalty, and how does that work? Chris Dadack - Generally
not once the public hearing has been closed. Allan Easley - Okay. Thank you. So, folks we got to
make a decision. We can do a positive motion with conditions, or we can do a negative motion
because we cannot mitigate conditions, adverse conditions. Ryland Brumfield - my view on this
is the Planning Commission speaker made a recommendation of five to two with some conditions.
The applicant has come back based on how I said request and approval with different conditions.
I just don't feel good about that because that's sending me a sign that the applicant is not good with
what the Planning Commission had recommended to us. So, I think there's a lot of unanswered
questions on this that probably needs to be settled and worked out before this moves forward, that's
my opinion. Hershel Stone - Me. Chairman, I am extremely supportive of expanding access to the
lake especially in Pittsylvania County, I just don't at this moment I don't feel, I'd love to see this
place expand and it is in disarray at the moment and it would be great to have it updated and be
something to be attractive for our community and in the people in the surrounding areas it's really
difficult t see that without much information and give an example with 120 slips, you know how
many people are going to use those slips on Labor Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, are you
going to have? How much traffic are you going to have around the wet slips as you're putting these
boats into the water, taking them out, you know I don't know and Planning Commission probably
knew a lot more about that than I would, but if we had some more information, I could be extremely
supportive of the project, but as it stands, it's hard to have that good feeling that we've mitigated
the adverse effects to the neighbors. Allan Easley - Any comments? Carroll Yeaman - I agree with
him, it's just we just don't have enough information, I just think 120 slips with the others will make
a total of 196 slips, that's a very small cove. Allan Easley - Mr. Craddock? Jay Craddock - Well I
don't know much about boating, but it sounds like that's a lot of boat slips for that small of a cove
and it was mentioned several times that it used to be much more dense than it was now, I think
that would be good information to know. That would be a good piece of information where we
would at least know at one point in time, there was X number of slips there and it worked well,
but I just don' think we, I just don't have a good comfort level of approving this with this many
slips, not knowing it it's too many or if it'll work or not. Ann Dee ring - I'm kind of like Mr.
Craddock, I don't know very much about boating, but I think that's something a lot of slips at this
time, I'm all for progress, but I just don't think we know enough, it's a lot of unknowns I think at
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this time. Carroll Yeaman - Well I can give you a little bit of information because I've been boating
on that lake, I'm aware of that cove and AEP, stop the marina there were not slips, there was only
where you could pull up against the dock years ago, but all of the boats were anchored on a mooring
line out in the middle of the cove and so you did have to maneuver through. AEP stopped that
because it was dangerous, they do not allow that anymore, so that's the story as far as how many
boats, there were a lot of boats in there in the 70's and early 80's but I do know that AEP did stop
allowing them to do that. Chris Dadak - If I may Mr. Chairman, there's also the third option of
tabling, I heard a lot of information, questions about having information, there's always the option
of tabling the matter out to your next board meeting for the opportunity to receive more information
if you think that would be helpful. Ronald Merricks - What I was getting ready to say we got three
choices, either positive motion, negative motion or we table the issue and to get that information
to us, well we needed we need to ask what would it what do we want to know. Allan Easley -
Right, I'm in line with the board that we simply don't have enough information right now to make
a remotely intelligent decision on this an we're not getting any more information tonight so I'm of
the opinion if the board is of the opinion that we table this motion, or this application and then we
would hear it again, we would reconsider it as old business in May, is that correct? We would not
have a public hearing. Emily Ragsdale - That is correct, and May would be within the required 60
days but you would need to act on it at that time okay, you could not table it again. Allan Easley -
What's the thinking on that? Because I think we're all of the opinion that progress would be
extremely good in that spot at the lake, the marina will continue to operate, if we don't do anything
it's going to continue to operate as it is, it's not like we're going to close it down but I think we
would all like to see progress there. The county would certainly like to see the progress, but I'm
afraid right now I don't have enough information to make a vote, I don't want to make a negative
vote, but I can't make a positive vote, and that's just where I am now, so do we vote to table it,
okay? Then I would entertain a motion to table this case until the May meeting. Hershel stone - So
moved Mr. Chairman. Allan Easley - Motion from Mr. Stone. Mr. Merricks- Second. Allan Easley
- Second from Mr. Merricks. Ryland Brumfield - May I make a comment before we vote? Allan
Easley - Yes Sir. Ryland Brumfield - If the board votes to table this really what I would like to
hear some more is about this road that we heard very little about tonight, you know staff
recommended a new entrance from the main road, I can't think of it, yeah from 626 and I've seen
so many proposals here but and then there's a the applicant is suggesting the declaration of road
maintenance. I don't know what that means of Locust Lane, so it really needs to if it comes back
before us, it needs to be very clear. To me, access to and from and very laid out, very clear, nothing
in the gray area. Allan Easley - Mr. Wilson, that's we'll put that in the hands of your company that
we've got to have some more information before we can remotely make a positive decision along
those lines and you've got until May, what's the date? Emily Ragsdale - May 8th. Allan Easley -
May 8th will be our next meeting because Ronald Merricks- If I understand it, there's no
presentations at that meeting, so the information we need these to come to your office and get to
us before then. Emily Ragsdale - The applicant could present the information but there wouldn't
be no public hearing. Ronald Merricks - Okay, that's fine. Glenn Pulley - How would we be able
to respond to the additional information that is submitted? Allan Easley - Mr. Pulley, we'll let our
attorney respond to that. Chris Dadak - Never had a situation come up to be honest, it can be routed
through staff, that'll probably be the best way if you could provide it to staff ahead of time, we'll
make it part of the packet which will then be publicly available. The public can always submit
comments and written form anyway, so we just asked, he said there's something in writing so we
would submit something in writing before May the 8th which would presuppose that the staff
Page 19 of 120
would receive something in from the applicant before that day. So is there a date on which the
applicant will need to present the information to staff so we'll have an opportunity to respond. You
see what I'm? Allan Easley - I do. Emily Ragsdale - Staff would request on the information from
the applicant the last Thursday of April so that we have adequate or I'm sorry, the last Thursday of
March so we have adequate time to prepare the staff summary and incorporate it in the packet to
make sure that the packet is available to you and the public when it's advertised in April. Allan
Easley - And we'd like to have it sooner than that if we could, so that we can digest it and ask
questions. Glenn Pulley - Thank you. Allan Easley - Thank you. All right, there's a motion and a
second to table this hearing. All those in favor make it known, Mr. Yeaman, it says it's waiting on
you. Allan Easley - All right, we have a tabled hearing and with that being said, this meeting is
adjourned, we will gather again in May.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Hershel Stone, Board Member
SECONDER: Ronald E. Merricks, Vice-Chairman
AYES: Easley, Merricks, Brumfield, Craddock, Deering, Stone, Yeaman
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8: 25 p.m.
Page 20 of 120
9.a.
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Old Business
Agenda Title: Case S-22-024: The Dock at SML, Inc.; Special Use Permit
for a Marina and a Public Garage
Staff Contact(s): Emily Ragsdale
Agenda Date: May 8, 2023 Item Number: 9.a.
Attachment(s): 1. S-22-024 The Dock at SML App
2. S-22-024 The Dock at SML Map
3. S-22-024 BZA Follow Up Submission Email
4. The Dock at SML, LLC - BZA Follow Up
Submission
5. SUP Master Plan
Reviewed By:
SUMMARY:
SUBJECT
Requested by the Dock at SML, LLC, for a Special Use Permit for a marina and a
public garage in accordance with Pittsylvania County Code § 35-295. The
property is four (4) parcels, totaling 23.25 acres, located on State Road
626/Smith Mountain Road, in the Callands-Gretna Election District and shown on
the Tap Map as GPIN # 1563-52-1714, 1563-53-1917, 1563-53-1623, and 1563-53-
1223.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The Dock at SML, LLC, is requesting a Special Use Permit to operate a marina
and boat storage area and a public garage on a total of 23.25 acres, located
State Road 626/Smith Mountain Road and Locust Lane, in the Callands-Gretna
Election District. A marina has been in operation on the property since before
the Pittsylvania County Zoning Ordinance was adopted in 1991, making the use
legal non-conforming. The applicant submitted a proposal to Community
Development requesting to add additional boat slips and a dry storage
area. Due to the non-conforming status, the applicant’s proposal was
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denied. According to Pittsylvania County Code § 35-164, non-conforming uses
cannot be expanded or enlarged unless they can be brought into
compliance. The Dock at SML, LLC is requesting a Special Use Permit for a
marina to bring the property into compliance in accordance with Pittsylvania
County Code § 35-295, allowing the marina to be expanded. Additionally,
Pittsylvania County Code § 35-295 requires a special use permit before dry boat
storage can be added.
If the Special Use Permit is denied, the marina will still be allowed to continue as
a legal non-conforming use; however, they will not be allowed to modify the
current boat slips or add the storage facility.
A Special Use Permit Application was heard by the Planning Commission in April
2021. At that meeting, the Planning Commission tabled the application to give
the applicant time to meet with neighbors on Locust Lane and reach an
agreement regarding the maintenance of Locust Lane. After the April meeting,
it came to the attention of Staff that the existing legal nonconforming marina
operation was out of compliance with the Virginia Department of Health, there
were existing violations preventing a demolition permit from being closed that
included Erosion and Sediment Control issues, and the original plans submitted
to Community Development did not match those being reviewed by AEP. On
April 27, 2021, County Staff sent the applicant a letter identifying six (6) things
that must be done before Staff could recommend granting the Special Use
Permit. This letter is included in the packet. The Health Department has issued a
Certificate to Operate (“CTO”) for one year. VDH stated in an email, included in
the packet, that while issues identified have not been fully addressed and all
relevant violations remedied, meaning the property is not in full compliance
with State Marina Guidelines, a CTO was issued for a year to give the owners the
opportunity to address all of the identified issues and bring the property into full
compliance. Additionally, a meeting was held with property owners on Locust
Lane on August 24, 2021. The applicants stated that their plan was to install an
access to the property from Smith Mountain Road but would not commit to
eliminating the access from Locust Lane. A possible maintenance agreement
for Locust Lane was discussed if a Homeowners Association was created;
however, documentation of an agreement has not been provided. To staff’s
knowledge, the process has not been initiated. Additionally, Staff had
discussions with the applicant regarding the option of bringing the portion of
Locust Lane from Smith Mountain Road to the northern most property line of the
subject property to State Standards and petitioning VDOT to take it into their
maintenance system, but staff has no knowledge of this option being pursued
either. The applicants have expressed concerns regarding emergency access
to the property if public access is restricted to Locust Lane; however, a gate is
currently located at the entrance that remains locked when the property is
closed, restricting access when the property is not in use. Condition 1 proposed
by staff would not limit the applicants, their staff, or emergency personnel from
accessing their property, only the general public. Staff has had discussions with
Page 22 of 120
AEP regarding the possibility of the proposed addition of boat slips received
their approval. A letter from AEP is included in the packet.
On March 13, 2023, the Board of Zoning Appeals tabled this case to allow the
applicant to provide additional information regarding the number of dry stack
storage slips and water safety. On March 31, 2023, the applicant submitted
additional information to staff. That information is included in the packet. The
information submitted includes the following information:
• Documentation from AEP regarding the property designation in AEP's
Shoreline Management Plan.
• An operation plan that exhibits hours of operation and hours for dry stack
storage reservations, as well as information from another marina
regarding operational limits on the number of boat launches per day.
An updated site plan was also submitted and is included. Staff informed the applicants
after review that the spaces in the overflow parking area needed to be
exhibited and were required to meet the minimum size for spaces as defined in
the Zoning Ordinance as 10' x 20'. Staff had not received an updated plan at
the time that this staff summary was prepared.
RELATIONSHIP TO THE SURROUNDING LAND USE AND NEIGHBORING AREAS
Mostly surrounded by residential uses.
ZONING OF SURROUNDING PROPERTIES
Mostly surrounded by A-1, Agricultural District, RC-1, Residential Combined
Subdivision District, R-1, Residential Suburban Subdivision District, and RPD,
Residential Planned Unit Development District zoned properties.
SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN
A conceptual plan for the overall development of the property and a site plan
for the marina expansion and dry storage is enclosed in the board packet.
FINANCIAL IMPACT AND FUNDING SOURCE:
None
RECOMMENDATION:
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends APPROVAL with the following conditions:
1. Smith Mountain Road be used as the sole public access for the property.
2. Locust Lane cannot be utilized as a construction entrance for any future
construction plans.
Page 23 of 120
3. The current “No Wake” buoy must be maintained in the cove and the
applicant must apply and exercise reasonable and good faith efforts to
secure an additional “No Wake” buoy.
4. Must remain in compliance with all applicable Virginia Department of
Health regulations.
5. Must remain in compliance with AEP regulations.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
On February 7, 2023, the Planning Commission recommended, by a 5-2 vote,
with opposition, that the Petitioners’ request be granted with the following
conditions:
1. The applicant and residents on Locus Lane must enter into a Road
Maintenance Agreement.
2. Locust Lane cannot be utilized as a construction entrance for any future
construction plans.
3. Must remain in compliance with all applicable Virginia Department of
Health regulations.
4. Must remain in compliance with AEP regulations.
MOTION:
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS MOTIONS:
1. Recommend approval of Case S-22-024 as submitted.
2. Recommend approval of Case S-22-024 subject to conditions by staff.
3. Recommend approval of Case S-22-024 subject to conditions by the
Planning Commission.
4. Recommend approval of Case S-22-024 subject to conditions by the
Board of Zoning Appeals.
5. Recommend denial of Case S-22-024 as submitted.
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Page 67 of 120
1
Emily Ragsdale, AICP, CZA
From:Holly Brantley <holly@oakhillmgmt.com>
Sent:Friday, March 31, 2023 5:26 PM
To:Robin S. Vaughan
Cc:Jeff Wilson; Emily Ragsdale, AICP, CZA; Dave Arnold; Chris Barefoot; Daniel Mehaffie
Subject:Re: Follow Up to BZA
Attachments:The Dock at SML, LLC - BZA Follow Up Submission.pdf
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Emily and Robin,
Sorry for the delay this afternoon. See attached letter serving has an outline of the additional information we've
gathered.
Please note:
We've included a letter from Neil Holthouser from AEP as Exhibit A of our letter.
We've left a placeholder for an updated version of our site plan as Exhibit B. We've been working with our
engineer to make revisions (including showing our parking plan) over the past couple weeks. There are still a
couple tweaks we'd like him to make but he was out of the office yesterday and today with a death in the family.
He's communicated he should be able to make the final revisions early next week and our hope is to get the new
site plan to you shortly after.
We've included our proposed declaration of road maintenance as Exhibit C.
Look forward to hearing your feedback.
On Thu, Mar 30, 2023 at 9:35 AM Robin S. Vaughan <Robin.Vaughan@pittgov.org> wrote:
Tomorrow by 5 p.m. would be great.
Thank you,
Robin
Page 68 of 120
2
Robin S. Vaughan
Community Development
Senior Administrative Assistant
Email: Robin.Vaughan@pittgov.org
Tel: (434) 432-7750
Fax: (434) 432-7919
53 North Main Street
,
Chatham
,
VA
,
24531
,
P.O. Box 426
Pittsylvaniacountyva.gov/development
Sign up for County Notifications
Any e-mail or other correspondence sent to a member of the Board of Supervisors, or any other public official or employee of
Pittsylvania County, Virginia (the "County"), in the transaction of public business, is considered a public record. Public records are
subject to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act ("VA FOIA"). Virginia law requires the County to provide a copy of any such e-
mail, upon request, for inspection and copying to any citizen of the Commonwealth, or to any member of the news media, unless
lawfully exempted from production/disclosure under VA FOIA. If you have received this email or any attachments in error, please
notify the sender immediately at (434) 432-7700, and by reply email, and delete this email and any attachments to it from your inbox,
sent items, and deleted items. Thank you.
From: Jeff Wilson <jeff@oakhillmgmt.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 30, 2023 9:32 AM
To: Emily Ragsdale, AICP, CZA <Emily.Ragsdale@pittgov.org>; Dave Arnold <Dave.Arnold@pittgov.org>
Cc: Holly Brantley <holly@oakhillmgmt.com>; Chris Barefoot <chris@oakhillmgmt.com>; Daniel Mehaffie
<daniel@oakhillmgmt.com>; Robin S. Vaughan <Robin.Vaughan@pittgov.org>
Subject: Re: Follow Up to BZA
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Good morning, Emily -
Page 69 of 120
3
Just confirming that tomorrow (Friday March 31) is our 'due date', for submitting additional material, exhibits,
documents in regard to our SUP application for the BZA. Please advise if anything specific is required in this
submission. Unless advised otherwise, we will be submitting our summary of information via email, tomorrow.
thank you!
- Jeff
Jeff Wilson
Acquisitions & Development
OAK HILL MANAGEMENT
PO Box 31763
Raleigh, NC 27622
919.632.1603 (cell)
919.882.9274 (fax)
On Tue, Mar 21, 2023 at 9:21 AM Emily Ragsdale, AICP, CZA <Emily.Ragsdale@pittgov.org> wrote:
You will not need to post new signs according to the BZA attorney since this will not be a public hearing and it was
previously advertised. Robin will send you emails for each of the BZA members. I do ask that Robin is copied on any
communications since any communications you have with the members are subject to the Freedom of Information
Act and are part of our official record for the case.
Emily Ragsdale, AICP, CZA
Community Development
Director
Email: Emily.Ragsdale@pittgov.org
Tel: (434) 432-7974
Fax: (434) 432-7919
Page 70 of 120
4
53 North Main Street
,
Chatham
,
VA
,
24531
,
P.O. Box 426
Pittsylvaniacountyva.gov/development
Sign up for County Notifications
Any e-mail or other correspondence sent to a member of the Board of Supervisors, or any other public official or employee of
Pittsylvania County, Virginia (the "County"), in the transaction of public business, is considered a public record. Public records are
subject to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act ("VA FOIA"). Virginia law requires the County to provide a copy of any such e-
mail, upon request, for inspection and copying to any citizen of the Commonwealth, or to any member of the news media, unless
lawfully exempted from production/disclosure under VA FOIA. If you have received this email or any attachments in error, please
notify the sender immediately at (434) 432-7700, and by reply email, and delete this email and any attachments to it from your inbox,
sent items, and deleted items. Thank you.
From: Holly Brantley <holly@oakhillmgmt.com>
Sent: Monday, March 20, 2023 5:01 PM
To: Emily Ragsdale, AICP, CZA <Emily.Ragsdale@pittgov.org>
Cc: Chris Barefoot <chris@oakhillmgmt.com>; Daniel Mehaffie <daniel@oakhillmgmt.com>; Jeff Wilson
<jeff@oakhillmgmt.com>
Subject: Re: Follow Up to BZA
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Emily,
Also, any update on requirements for the signs and which BZA members may be willing to provide their
contact information?
On Mon, Mar 20, 2023 at 11:02 AM Holly Brantley <holly@oakhillmgmt.com> wrote:
Okay, thanks for the info.
Page 71 of 120
5
On Mon, Mar 20, 2023 at 10:43 AM Emily Ragsdale, AICP, CZA <Emily.Ragsdale@pittgov.org> wrote:
1. It is still open to the public; they just cannot speak. They are more than welcome to listen though.
2. You will be able to give a presentation of the new information but there will likely be a Q&A session as well.
Emily Ragsdale, AICP, CZA
Community Development
Director
Email: Emily.Ragsdale@pittgov.org
Tel: (434) 432-7974
Fax: (434) 432-7919
53 North Main Street
,
Chatham
,
VA
,
24531
,
P.O. Box 426
Pittsylvaniacountyva.gov/development
Sign up for County Notifications
Any e-mail or other correspondence sent to a member of the Board of Supervisors, or any other public official or employee of
Pittsylvania County, Virginia (the "County"), in the transaction of public business, is considered a public record. Public records are
subject to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act ("VA FOIA"). Virginia law requires the County to provide a copy of any such e-
mail, upon request, for inspection and copying to any citizen of the Commonwealth, or to any member of the news media, unless
lawfully exempted from production/disclosure under VA FOIA. If you have received this email or any attachments in error, please
notify the sender immediately at (434) 432-7700, and by reply email, and delete this email and any attachments to it from your inbox,
sent items, and deleted items. Thank you.
From: Holly Brantley <holly@oakhillmgmt.com>
Sent: Monday, March 20, 2023 10:30 AM
To: Emily Ragsdale, AICP, CZA <Emily.Ragsdale@pittgov.org>
Cc: Chris Barefoot <chris@oakhillmgmt.com>; Daniel Mehaffie <daniel@oakhillmgmt.com>; Jeff Wilson
<jeff@oakhillmgmt.com>
Subject: Re: Follow Up to BZA
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Page 72 of 120
6
Hey Emily,
A couple questions about the format of the next BZA meeting.
1. Will the meeting be closed to the public all together or is it open to the public to listen but not open for the
public to speak?
2. Will our group be called to the podium to give a presentation of the new information? Or is it intended to be
more of just Q&A?
On Tue, Mar 14, 2023 at 4:56 PM Holly Brantley <holly@oakhillmgmt.com> wrote:
Let’s plan for 8:30. I’ll see you at your office then. Thanks.
On Tue, Mar 14, 2023 at 4:46 PM Emily Ragsdale, AICP, CZA <Emily.Ragsdale@pittgov.org> wrote:
I can meet at 8:30 or 9 if that works for you.
Emily Ragsdale, AICP, CZA
Community Development
Director
Email: Emily.Ragsdale@pittgov.org
Tel: (434) 432-7974
Fax: (434) 432-7919
53 North Main Street
,
Chatham
,
VA
,
24531
,
P.O. Box 426
Page 73 of 120
7
Pittsylvaniacountyva.gov/development
Sign up for County Notifications
Any e-mail or other correspondence sent to a member of the Board of Supervisors, or any other public official or employee of Pittsylvania County, Virginia (the "County")
a public record. Public records are subject to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act ("VA FOIA"). Virginia law requires the County to provide a copy of any such e
citizen of the Commonwealth, or to any member of the news media, unless lawfully exempted from production/disclosure under VA
sender immediately at (434) 432-7700, and by reply email, and delete this email and any attachments to it from your inbox, sent items, and deleted items. Tha
From: Holly Brantley <holly@oakhillmgmt.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2023 4:31 PM
To: Emily Ragsdale, AICP, CZA <Emily.Ragsdale@pittgov.org>
Cc: Jeff Wilson <jeff@oakhillmgmt.com>; Chris Barefoot <chris@oakhillmgmt.com>; Daniel Mehaffie
<daniel@oakhillmgmt.com>
Subject: Re: Follow Up to BZA
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments
unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Emily,
Thanks for getting back to me. What is the earliest you'd be available tomorrow morning for a quick in person
meeting? I'm not certain I'll be in town tomorrow morning but let me know your availability and I'll check my
schedule.
On Tue, Mar 14, 2023 at 4:18 PM Emily Ragsdale, AICP, CZA <Emily.Ragsdale@pittgov.org> wrote:
I’m actually tied up for the rest of the day but I’m happy to have a phone conversation tomorrow to discuss, or
can meet in person if you will still be in town.
Emily Ragsdale, AICP, CZA
Community Development
Director
Email: Emily.Ragsdale@pittgov.org
Page 74 of 120
8
Tel: (434) 432-7974
Fax: (434) 432-7919
53 North Main Street
,
Chatham
,
VA
,
24531
,
P.O. Box 426
Pittsylvaniacountyva.gov/development
Sign up for County Notifications
Any e-mail or other correspondence sent to a member of the Board of Supervisors, or any other public official or employee of Pittsylvania County, Virginia (the "Coun
a public record. Public records are subject to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act ("VA FOIA"). Virginia law requires the County to provide a copy of any such e
citizen of the Commonwealth, or to any member of the news media, unless lawfully exempted from production/disclosure under VA
sender immediately at (434) 432-7700, and by reply email, and delete this email and any attachments to it from your inbox, sent items, and deleted items. Tha
From: Holly Brantley <holly@oakhillmgmt.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2023 1:33 PM
To: Emily Ragsdale, AICP, CZA <Emily.Ragsdale@pittgov.org>
Cc: Jeff Wilson <jeff@oakhillmgmt.com>; Chris Barefoot <chris@oakhillmgmt.com>; Daniel Mehaffie
<daniel@oakhillmgmt.com>
Subject: Follow Up to BZA
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open
attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Hi Emily,
Page 75 of 120
9
Not sure if we've been introduced but I work with Jeff Wilson for the ownership group of the Dock at SML. I was
in attendance at the BZA meeting last night and stayed overnight for some meetings with our marina staff today.
I was hoping to connect in order to get clarification on submitting the additional information requested by the
BZA. I just stopped by your office and was told you're scheduled to be in and out of meetings this afternoon.
Since I'm in town I thought it would be helpful to swing by to discuss in person so we're not missing anything. Do
you have 10-15 minutes between meetings this afternoon for me to stop by?
--
Thanks,
Holly Brantley
(m) 252.883.6235
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.
--
Thanks,
Holly Brantley
(m) 252.883.6235
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.
--
Thanks,
Holly Brantley
Page 76 of 120
10
(m) 252.883.6235
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.
--
Thanks,
Holly Brantley
(m) 252.883.6235
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.
--
Thanks,
Holly Brantley
(m) 252.883.6235
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.
Page 77 of 120
11
--
Thanks,
Holly Brantley
(m) 252.883.6235
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.
--
Thanks,
Holly Brantley
(m) 252.883.6235
To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.
Page 78 of 120
March 31, 2023
Pittsylvania County Board of Zoning Appeals
℅ Emily Ragsdale, Community Development Director
53 N Main Street
Chatham, VA 24531
VIA EMAIL
Re: Case Number S-22-024; Special Use Permit for Marina and Public Garage; The Dock at SML, LLC
Members of the Pittsylvania County BZA,
This letter is in follow up to Case Number S-22-024 heard before the Pittsylvania County Board of Zoning
Appeals on March 13, 2023. The result of that hearing was that the above-mentioned case was tabled to allow time for
additional information pertaining to the case to be gathered and submitted to the board for further consideration. This
letter provides an outline of the additional information obtained regarding our case and proposed use.
First and foremost, we would like to establish that the basis of our request is to bring our current, grandfathered
marina into compliance through a Special Use Permit for a Marina. This SUP would allow us to proceed with replacing
and updating certain waterfront structures to significantly improve the property and business operations.
Additionally, the Special Use application for a Public Garage would allow us to construct the proposed dry stack
storage facility as a complementary use to the marina. It is our desire to meet the undeniable need for boat storage on the
South East portion of Smith Mountain Lake. We are confident that the development of our property in this way, along
with future development of residential and commercial uses, will create a positive economic and social impact for
Pittsylvania County by: (1) providing access to Smith Mountain Lake, (2) providing boat storage to the community, (3)
providing tax revenue to Pittsylvania County (4) providing additional commerce to local businesses and (5) providing jobs
to the local community;
I. Marina History & Site Plan
The marina located on the subject property was established in 1966. Over the course of the marina’s lifespan it has
housed a full service marina (including wet slips and dry stack storage), a lodge, motel rooms, mobile homes, a water slide
attraction and other business uses. In 2019, Smith Mountain Dock and Lodge, the operating entity preceding The Dock at
SML, LLC, had a total of 46 wet slips and a dry stack facility with a capacity to hold 39 boats. This slip count was
obtained from a Property Condition Assessment completed by Appalachian Power in June 2019. Our proposed plan would
include waterfront improvements to add 14 wet slips (bringing the new wet slip total to 60) and constructing a new dry
stack facility, in an approved upland location, to replace the former facility that was in disrepair and was demolished after
1
Page 79 of 120
we acquired the property. In response to the BZA’s request for a site plan that addresses parking, we have included an
updated site plan, attached to this letter as Exhibit A, for your review. The determination for appropriate parking was
made by referencing pertinent code.
The attached site plan shows the conceptual location for all the structures as well as parking facilities. The parking
required for the proposed uses is shown in the table below. It should be noted that we are not planning to permit public
boat trailer parking onsite or use the boat ramp for public boat launches.
Structure Slip Capacity # of Public
Parking Spaces
# of Staff
Parking Spaces
Dry Stack 120 42 3
Wet Slips 60 36 7
II. Boat Traffic Management on Smith Mountain Lake
Appalachian Power: Shoreline Management Program
The primary agency tasked with regulating boating density on Smith Mountain Lake is Appalachian
Power, specifically the Shoreline Management Division. Our team has had many conversations with Neil
Holthouser, Senior Plant Environmental Coordinator from AEP, leading up to and during the Special Use
Application process. We’ve been engaged with Neil primarily because we are taking steps to submit the necessary
applications for shoreline improvements concurrently with our Special Use Application.
Following the March BZA Meeting we reconvened with Mr. Holthouser to gain a better understanding of
AEP’s strategies for managing boat density on Smith Mountain Lake. We received a letter from Mr. Holthouser,
attached hereto as Exhibit B, explaining in detail how AEP under the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(FERC) purview uses a Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) as the mechanism for controlling boat density on the
lake. There are several key points to note.
● AEP regulates boat density by classifying some portions of the shoreline as low density while others are
classified as high density
● The shoreline of the subject property is classified as High Density Commercial (HDC)
● The SMP seeks to control boating densities by limiting the number of boat slips that can be constructed
along any given segment of shoreline. The primary driver of boating density is the number of wet slips in
a given area.
● The SMP does not find it appropriate to place a fixed limit on the number of shoreline slips for HDC
properties (as it does for properties in low density classifications) but rather the number of allowed slips is
determined by three setbacks:
1. Property Line Setbacks
2. Fairway Setbacks
3. 1/3 of the Cove Methodology
● The above setbacks are AEP’s mechanism for ensuring the waters along the subject property remain safe
for recreation and navigation.
2
Page 80 of 120
One method of evaluating boating density in High Density Commercial scenarios is to calculate the
number of slips to shoreline length ratio. Considering the primary driver of boat density is the number of slips
constructed over the water, it is worth noting that our proposed expansion plan for shoreline structures still has a
slip to shoreline ratio below every other marina in Pittsylvania County. The below information was obtained from
and can be referenced in Mr. Holthouser’s letter.
Facility Lake HDC Shoreline
Length*
Boat Slips Ratio (slips / 100’
shoreline)
Leesville Lake Marina Leesville 350’ 45 12.9
Waterlocked (Turner Bldg) SML 180’ 18 10.0
Lumpkins Marina SML 560’ 50 8.9
Lakeside Marina SML 675’ 37 5.5
The Dock at SML
(proposed)
SML 1,160’ 60 5.2
The Dock at SML
(existing)
SML 1,160’ 46 4.0
It should also be taken into consideration that a dry stack facility, accompanying drop pier and a boat
ramp were components of the site per the AEP’s 2019 property assessment. Both the drystack and ramp have
historically been used for launching boats from the property. We anticipate a decrease in boat launch capacity over
past maximum capacities based on the fact that we will not be open to the general public and we plan to limit
launches from the dry stack facility with a scheduling mobile application.
In summary, AEP’s regulation of shoreline structures is the mechanism for ensuring the waters of Smith
Mountain Lake are safe for recreation and navigation to and from shoreline structures as well as to and from
launching points.
Department of Wildlife
In follow up to BZA’s inquiry about the Virginia Department of Wildlife’s perspective in regards to our
proposed plans, we connected with DWR Conservation Officer Michael Morris. Officer Morris is a Sergeant with
DWR and has been patrolling Smith Mountain Lake since 2005. During our conversation with Sergeant Morris he
communicated that he did not have any major concerns about the potential impact of expanding our Marina or the
addition of a new dry stack facility. It is his experience that most boaters who store their boat in a dry stack use
their boat two to three times per year. These boaters make the decision to use dry stack for the convenience of not
having to trailer their boat on the occasions they decide to use it. Officer Morris does not anticipate a major
increase in boating traffic from the addition of dry stack storage on our property.
III. The Dock at SML Marina Operating Plan
We have talked with eight marinas that operate dry stack boat storage over the past several weeks in an effort to
refine our operating model. One of the marinas we spoke with and visited in person is located on Smith Mountain Lake
3
Page 81 of 120
and is operating a dry stack facility successfully and safely. We also consulted with other industry experts including a
contractor who constructs dry stack buildings and has been in the business for 23 years. The marinas we spoke with all
had many similarities in how they operate and we used these practices to guide our business plan.
Based on conversations with other dry stack operators, there is an operational limit to the number of boats that can
be launched during a given time. Each launch requires a trip to and from the dry stack with a fork lift. Logistically, there is
maximum, feasible capacity to the number of boats that can be launched from the facility based on the time it takes to
launch each boat. The operators we spoke with estimated the launch capacity to be 6 boats per hour on their busiest days,
which are a small percentage of their operating days. It should be understood that dry stack facilities are primarily used for
storage of boats and that the storage capacity is not indicative of the estimated number of launches in a given day.
The Dock at SML’s primary season is Memorial Day to Labor Day. During the season our current operating hours
are 9am - 6pm, seven days a week. We will continue to operate at these hours and offer fuel at our pay at the pump
stations. We plan to use a mobile app (ie. BoatCloud) to take reservations for boat launches from our dry stack storage.
Launch reservations will be limited to the hours of 9am - 4pm.
The Dock at SML will operate on a reduced schedule during the other parts of the year. We will still have 24 hour
fuel services but our boat launching operations will lessen significantly. We will decrease the reservation time slots to still
meet a limited customer demand and we plan for launches to be limited to Wednesday through Sunday during the off
season.
IV. Amended Conditions
At the May 13th BZA Meeting, concern was expressed that The Dock at SML was changing the conditions as
recommended by the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission recommended approval of our application with
the following conditions:
1. The applicant and residents on Locust Lane must enter into a Road Maintenance Agreement.
2. Locust Lane cannot be utilized as a construction entrance for any future construction plans.
3. Must remain in compliance with all applicable Virginia Department of Health regulations.
4. Must remain in compliance with AEP regulations.
Following the February Planning Commission Meeting we addressed the first two points by providing a solution
that makes condition #1 and #2 unnecessary. We are proposing to enter into and record a Declaration of Road
Maintenance for Locust Lane as further described below. Therefore, we were and continue to request approval of our SUP
application with the following amended conditions:
1. The applicant will record a Declaration of Road Maintenance for Locust Lane.
2. Must remain in compliance with all applicable Virginia Department of Health regulations.
3. Must remain in compliance with AEP regulations.
Declaration of Road Maintenance
The Dock at SML will take full responsibility of maintaining the private drive, Locust Lane up to the
marina entrance, through a Declaration of Road Maintenance. This will be a legally recorded Declaration of Road
Maintenance that would fully satisfy the two conditions proposed by The Planning Commission. The declaration
4
Page 82 of 120
clarifies and sets regulations in place for maintenance of Locust Lane related to ongoing use or that could arise
from Locust Lane being used as a construction entrance. Please find legally prepared Declaration of Road
Maintenance attached as Exhibit C. We will bear the burden of upkeep and maintenance of this private access
road within our property boundary up to the entrance of The Dock at SML.
V. Summary
In summary, we are providing definitive solutions to concerns that have been addressed. We have worked
diligently over the past few weeks to gather relevant facts so that we could provide clear and concise information to you,
the members of the Board of Zoning Appeals, so that you can make an informed decision about our SUP application. We
have been and will continue to be a responsibly run business in this community by continuing to add value to the cove and
County. We look forward to a favorable vote and the opportunity to improve our services to better serve the people of
Pittsylvania County and Smith Mountain Lake.
Respectfully submitted,
The Dock at SML, LLC
Jeff Wilson - Acquisitions and Development
PO Box 31763
Raleigh, North Carolina 27622
5
Page 83 of 120
Exhibit A
(Placeholder for Updated Site Plan)
6
Page 84 of 120
The Dock at SML LLC
c/o Oak Hill Management
attn: Jeff Wilson, Acquisitions and Development
P.O. Box 31763
Raleigh, NC 27622
March 30, 2023
Dear Mr. Wilson:
RE: The Dock at SML
Pittsylvania County Parcel ID 1563-53-1223
I am writing on behalf of Appalachian Power Company (Appalachian) regarding the property
known as The Dock at SML, located along the shoreline of Smith Mountain Lake and associated
with the parcel of land identified by Pittsylvania County, Virginia, real estate records as Smith Mt
Lake Dock & Lodge Subd Resubdivision Lot 2B and Parcel ID number 1563-53-1223.
Specifically, I am writing to explain the shoreline classification system outlined in the Shoreline
Management Plan (SMP) for the Smith Mountain Pumped Storage Project (Project).
As you are aware, Appalachian operates the hydroelectric Project pursuant to a license issued by
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Under the terms and requirements of its
federal license, Appalachian has the responsibility and the authority to regulate and monitor certain
uses and occupancies within the Project boundary (generally, the lands and waters below the 800-
foot elevation contour at Smith Mountain Lake). In order to guide development activities along
the shoreline, Appalachian developed and implemented the SMP in August 2003; the SMP was
most recently updated by FERC Order issued January 30, 2014.
Among other things, the SMP seeks to ensure that the waters of Smith Mountain Lake remain safe
for recreation and navigation. The SMP does this, in part, by controlling for “boating densities.”
Boating density refers to the number and concentration of boats in any given section of water at
any given time. Boating density is a function of boating trip generation, similar to the concept of
vehicular trip generation on land. Different types of development – single-family homes,
condominiums and townhomes, commercial marinas, and public boat ramps – contribute different
volumes of boat trips. To help control for boating densities, the SMP classifies the shoreline
according to each area’s likelihood of generating boat trips. The shoreline classification system
takes into consideration the geometry of the lake (open water vs. narrow cove) adjacent to the
development, as well as historic land use patterns along the shoreline (marinas, multi-family
developments, neighborhoods) that existed prior to the implement of the SMP. The shoreline
Appalachian Power
Hydro Generation
P.O. Box 2021
Roanoke, VA 24022-2121
appalachianpower.com
Exhibit B
Page 85 of 120
classification system does NOT imply or supersede land use or site development approval by the
County, although it is intended to work in concert with local zoning and subdivision requirements.
The SMP seeks to control boating densities by limiting the number of boat slips that can be
constructed along any given segment of shoreline, based on the shoreline classification and the
length of available shoreline. For example, in areas where the shoreline is classified as Low
Density Use, single-family residential lots measuring less than 300 feet in shoreline length are
limited to two (2) boat slips; additional boat slips may be allowed for properties with longer
shorelines. Multi-family developments classified as Low Density Use are limited to no more than
two (2) boat slips per 100 feet of shoreline. Meanwhile, multi-family developments located along
shoreline classified as High Density Multi Use are allowed up to four (4) boat slips per 100 feet of
shoreline. In areas where the shoreline is classified as High Density Commercial, the SMP does
not impose a limit of the number of boat slips. Rather, the number of potential boat slips is
governed by the geometry of the property, shoreline, and lake. High Density Commercial dock
structures must maintain certain setbacks from property lines, must have a minimum separation or
“fairway” between structures, and may not exceed into the lake beyond a specified length.
The property known as The Dock at SML (specifically, Pittsylvania County Parcel ID 1563-53-
1223) includes approximately 1,345 feet of shoreline as measured at the 795-foot elevation
contour. Of this shoreline, approximately 1,160 feet is classified as High Density Commercial,
while a lesser portion of the shoreline located at the north end of the property and measuring
approximately 185 feet in length is classified as High Density Multi-Use. There are no boat dock
facilities along the shoreline classified as High Density Multi Use. The area along the shoreline
classified as High Density Commercial features a commercial marina with rental boat slips and
customer mooring adjacent to a fueling dock. The SMP established this classification of High
Density Commercial when the SMP was implemented in 2003, recognizing that a commercial
marina was already in operation at this location.
The commercial marina currently features 46 boat slips and one boat ramp. It is my understanding
that the property owner proposes to expand the marina to include a total of 60 boat slips. I further
understand that the property owner proposes to construct a 120-unit boat dry-dock storage facility
on land located outside of the Project boundary. Appalachian does not have any purview over the
construction of facilities outside its Project boundary.
Although the SMP does not specifically limit the number of boat slips that may be constructed
along shoreline classified as High Density Commercial, the SMP’s geometric requirements
(setbacks, fairway distances, dock length limits) effectively govern the site’s capacity for
commercial boat slips. The Dock at SML currently averages approximately four (4) boat slips
per 100 feet of shoreline classified as High Density Commercial. The proposed expansion (from
46 to 60 boat slips) would reflect and average of approximately five (5) boat slips per 100 feet of
shoreline classified as High Density Commercial. The following table offers a comparison with
other marinas and commercial boat storage facilities located in Pittsylvania County:
Page 86 of 120
Name of Facility Address Lake Zoning
HDC
shoreline
length
Number
of boat
ramps
(lanes)
Number
of boat
slips
# Slips per
100’ of HDC
shoreline
Lakeside Marina
629 Lakeside
Road, Penhook
VA
Smith
Mountain
Lake
MHP @ 675’ 2 37 @ 5.5
Lumpkins Marina 503 Pruitt Drive,
Penhook VA
Smith
Mountain
Lake
MHP @ 560’ 1 50 @ 9.0
Waterlocked (Turner
Building)
286
Waterlocked
Road, Penhook
VA
Smith
Mountain
Lake
RC-1 @ 180’ 0 18 @ 10.0
Leesville Lake Marina
2736 Marina
Drive, Gretna
VA
Leesville
Lake B-2 @ 350’ 1 45 @ 13.0
The Dock at SML
(existing)
188 Locust
Lane, Penhook
VA
Smith
Mountain
Lake
RPD @ 1,160’ 1 46 @ 4.0
The Dock at SML
(proposed)
188 Locust
Lane,
Penhook VA
Smith
Mountain
Lake
RPD @ 1,160’ 1 60 @5.0
I hope this information assists in your understanding of the SMP’s shoreline classification system, and the
anticipated impacts to boating densities of the various shoreline classifications. Thank you for your
continued efforts to protect and enhance the scenic, recreational, and environmental values of the Smith
Mountain Project. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.
Sincerely,
Neil Holthouser
Plant Environmental Coordinator Sr.
Page 87 of 120
DRAFTPreparedByandAfterRecordingReturnTo:
Peake Law Group,PC
Attn:Ashley P.Harris,Esq.
14241 Midlothian Turnpike,Suite 216
Midlothian,Virginia 23113
Tax Map Parcel:______________________________
DECLARATION OF ROAD MAINTENANCE
THIS DECLARATION OF ROAD MAINTENANCE (this “Declaration”)is made as of
this _____day of ___________,2023 (the “Effective Date”),by THE DOCK AT SML,LLC,a
Virginia limited liability company (the “Declarant”,to be indexed as both grantor and grantee),
AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST COMPANY (the “Lender”,to be indexed as
Grantor)and CLEMENT &WHEATLEY,a Professional Corporation (the “Trustee”,to be
indexed as Grantor).
RECITALS:
A.Declarant is the owner of those certain parcels of land located in the County of
Pittsylvania,Virginia (the “Parcels”),and depicted on that certain plat entitled
“RESUBDIVISION PLAT FOR DOCK AT SML,LLC,SHOWING THE RESUBDIVISION
OF REVISED LOT 2 (13.356 ACRES),&LOT 1 (7.296 ACRES)SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE
DOCK AND LODGE SUBDIVISION MAP BOOK 44,PAGES 162B AND 162C AND
CREATING HEREON LOT 2-A (10.519 ACRES),LOT 2-B (3.589 ACRES)LOT A-1
(2.350ACRES),AND LOT 1-A (6.794 ACRES)CALLANDS-GRETNA MAGISTERIAL
DISTRICT PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY,VIRGINIA”dated October 20,2020,and prepared by
Parker Design Group (the “Plat”)recorded in the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court of the
County of Pittsylvania,Virginia (the “Clerk’s Office”)as Instrument Number 20-06147.
B.As shown on the Plat,Locust Lane runs through a portion of the Parcels.
C.The Declarant desires to establish its responsibility for the maintenance of Locust
Lane,as more particularly set forth herein.
D.Declarant,Lender and Trustee are parties to a certain Deed of Trust dated January
19,2021,recorded in the Clerk’s Office as Instrument Number 210000459 (hereinafter referred
to as the “Deed of Trust”).
E.Trustee and Lender wish to indicate their consent to this Declaration.
DECLARATION:
FOR VALUE received and in consideration of the benefits to accrue to them as herein
provided,the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,Declarant,for itself,its
legal representatives,heirs,successors,grantees and assigns,as the case may be,does hereby
covenant and agree as follows.
1.Recitals.The Recitals set forth above are and shall be construed as substantive
provisions of this Declaration and are hereby incorporated by this reference.
Exhibit C
Page 88 of 120
DRAFT2.Maintenance of Locust Lane.Declarant shall be responsible for the upkeep of that portion
of Locust Lane from Smith Mountain Road up to the entrance of The Dock at Smith Mountain
Lake (portion as shown in Exhibit A),in good repair and in safe,sound condition,sightly in
appearance,and in conformity with all governmental laws,ordinances and regulations and in a
condition at least commensurate with similarly located facilities.Such maintenance of Locust
Lane shall include,but not be limited to,the furnishing of and/or payment for cleaning,
repairing,resurfacing and anything else necessary for the everyday maintenance and
administration of that portion of Locust Lane that is located on the Parcels.
3.Cost.The costs to perform all such upkeep and administration as set forth in Section 2
above shall be the responsibility of the Declarant.
4.Term.The maintenance obligation set forth herein shall be effective commencing on the
date of recordation of this Declaration in the land records and shall remain in full force and effect
thereafter in perpetuity,unless this Declaration is modified,amended,canceled or terminated by
Declarant.
5.Miscellaneous.
5.1 Amendment.This Declaration may be modified or amended,in whole or in part,
or terminated,only by the written consent of Declarant,evidenced by a document that has been
fully executed and acknowledged and recorded in the land records of Pittsylvania County,
Virginia.
5.2 No Agency.Nothing in this Declaration shall be deemed or construed by any
party or by any third person to create the relationship of principal and agent or of limited or
general partners or of joint venturers or of any other association.
5.3 Run with Land.It is intended that each of the rights and obligations set forth
herein shall run with the land and create equitable servitudes in favor of the Parcels as benefited
and burdened herein,shall bind every person having any fee,leasehold or other interest therein
and shall inure to the benefit of the respective parties and their successors,assigns,heirs,and
personal representatives.
5.4 Future Owners’Acceptance.The future Owner of the Parcels or any portion
thereof,by acceptance of a deed conveying title thereto or the execution of a contract for the
purchase thereof,whether from Declarant or a subsequent Owner of such parcel,shall accept
such deed subject to each and all of the obligations contained herein.By such acceptance,any
such future Owner shall for itself and its successors,assigns,heirs,and personal representatives,
consent and agree to keep,observe,comply with,and perform the obligations and agreements set
forth herein with respect to the Parcels or any portion thereof so acquired by such future Owner.
5.5 Severability.Each provision of this Declaration and the application thereof to the
parcels is hereby declared to be independent of and severable from the remainder of this
Declaration.If any provision contained herein shall be held to be invalid or to be unenforceable
or not to run with the land,such holding shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the
remainder of this Declaration.In the event the validity or enforceability of any provision of this
Declaration is held to be dependent upon the existence of a specific legal description,the
Declarant agrees to promptly cause such legal description to be prepared.
2
Page 89 of 120
DRAFT5.6 No Merger.Future ownership of the Parcels by the same owner or owners shall
not terminate this Declaration nor in any manner affect or impair the validity or enforceability
hereof.
5.7 Entire Understanding.This Declaration contains the complete understanding and
statement with respect to all matters referred to herein,and all prior representations,negotiations,
understandings,and statements are superseded hereby.
5.8 Notices.Notices or other communication hereunder shall be in writing and shall
be sent certified or registered mail,return receipt requested,or by other national overnight
courier company,or personal delivery.Notice shall be deemed given upon receipt or refusal to
accept delivery.Declarant may from time to time change its address for notice hereunder.The
notice address of Declarant is as follows:
Declarant:The Dock at SML,LLC
PO Box 31763
Raleigh,NC 27622
Attn:Jeff Wilson
With a copy to:Peake Law Group,PC
14241 Midlothian Turnpike,Suite 216
Midlothian,VA 23113
Attn:Ashley P.Harris,Esq.
The notice address for any future owner that gains any interest in the Parcels,or any
portion thereof,shall be at the property so acquired and contemplated by this Declaration until
such time as such owner notifies any other owners of a different address in the manner provided
for notice in this Section 5.8.
5.9 Governing Law.The laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia shall govern the
interpretation,validity,performance,and enforcement of this Declaration.
5.10 Headings.The headings of the sections and paragraphs of this Declaration are for
convenience only and do not in any way limit,amplify or otherwise affect the provisions
contained herein.
5.11 Unavoidable Delays.Declarant and its successors and assigns shall be excused
from performing any obligation or undertaking provided for in this Declaration,other than for
the payment of money,for such period as such performance is prevented,delayed,retarded or
hindered by fire,earthquake,flood,explosion,adverse weather conditions,riot and insurrection,
mob violence,sabotage,acts of terrorism,inability to procure (or general shortage of)labor,
equipment,facilities,materials or supplies in the open market,failure of transportation,strike,
lockout,action of any labor union,laws or orders of governmental authorities or any other cause
not in the reasonable control of the Declarant and its successors and assigns,which events or
conditions are generally referred to as “force majeure”conditions or occurrences,including
reasonable delays for adjustment of insurance proceeds in the event of an insured casualty.
3
Page 90 of 120
DRAFT5.12 Matters of Record.The obligations and rights granted in this Declaration are
made subject to all applicable easements,restrictions,covenants and conditions of record in the
chains of title to the Parcels.
5.13 Lender and Trustee Consent.Lender and Trustee join in the execution of this
Declaration to evidence their Consent to the document.
[Signature on the Following Page.]
4
Page 91 of 120
DRAFTINWITNESSWHEREOF,the parties have executed this Declaration as of the Effective
Date.
DECLARANT:
THE DOCK AT SML,LLC,
a Virginia limited liability company
By:Perkins Fund,L.P.,Member
By:Oak Hill Ventures,LLC,General Partner
By:_______________________________
J.Andrew English,Manager
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA §
§ss.
CITY/COUNTY OF __________________§
I,_____________________________,a notary public in and for said county in
said state,hereby certify that J.Andrew English whose name as the Manager of Oak Hill
Ventures,LLC,a Virginia limited liability company,General Partner of Perkins Fund,L.P.,
Member of The Dock at SML,LLC,a Virginia limited liability company is signed to the
foregoing instrument and who is known to me,acknowledged before me on this day that,being
informed of the contents of such instrument,he,as such Manager and with full authority,
executed the same voluntarily for and as the act of The Dock at SML,LLC.
Given under my hand and official seal this ______day of _____________,2023.
__________________________________________
Notary Public
My commission expires:__________________
Registration number:_____________________
[Attach legible Notary Seal]
5
Page 92 of 120
DRAFTLENDER:
AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK
AND TRUST COMPANY
By:____________________________________
Name:___________________________________
Title:____________________________________
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA §
§ss.
CITY/COUNTY OF __________________§
I,_____________________________,a notary public in and for said county in
said state,hereby certify that __________________________whose name as the
__________________of American National Bank and Trust Company is signed to the foregoing
instrument and who is known to me,acknowledged before me on this day that,being informed of
the contents of such instrument,he,as such Manager and with full authority,executed the same
voluntarily for and as the act of the bank.
Given under my hand and official seal this ______day of _____________,2023.
__________________________________________
Notary Public
My commission expires:__________________
Registration number:_____________________
[Attach legible Notary Seal]
6
Page 93 of 120
DRAFTTRUSTEE:
CLEMENT &WHEATLEY,
a Professional Corporation
By:___________________________
Name:__________________________
Title:___________________________
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA §
§ss.
CITY/COUNTY OF __________________§
I,_____________________________,a notary public in and for said county in
said state,hereby certify that _______________________whose name as the
___________________of Clement &Wheatley,a Professional Corporation is signed to the
foregoing instrument and who is known to me,acknowledged before me on this day that,being
informed of the contents of such instrument,he,as such Manager and with full authority,
executed the same voluntarily for and as the act of the corporation.
Given under my hand and official seal this ______day of _____________,2023.
__________________________________________
Notary Public
My commission expires:__________________
Registration number:_____________________
[Attach legible Notary Seal]
7
Page 94 of 120
DRAFTExhibitA:
See following page
8
Page 95 of 120
CABIN SITESSTORMWATER
MANAGEMENT
S
T
O
R
M
W
A
T
E
R
M
A
N
A
G
E
M
E
N
T
NEW
COURTESY SLIPS
NEW
COVERED DOCK
(EXISTING SLIPS)
NEW
COVERED DOCK
(EXISTING SLIPS)
BOARDWALK
SUBDIVISION LINE;
FOLLOWS 800' CONTOUR
D
R
Y
S
T
A
C
K
S
T
O
R
A
G
E
BOARDWALKCABIN SITESCABIN SITESCABIN SITESEXISTING ENTRANCE
AT LOCUST LANE
AREAS FOR ADDITIONAL PARKING
SUPPORTING DRY STACK STORAGE
AND LOWER DOCKS (55 SPACES +\-).
NEW RAMP AND
TENDING DOCKPARKINGPARKING
PARKINGPARKINGACCESS ROADOVER
F
L
O
W
PARKI
N
G
30 SP
A
C
E
S
(+\-)ACCESS ROAD
1
1" = 60'
CONCEPT
MASTER PLAN
JDE
CEP
PDG
2122 Carolina Ave, SW
Roanoke, VA 24014
Ph: 540-387-1153
1915-B W. Cary Street
Richmond, VA 23220
Phone: 804-358-2947
www.parkerdg.com
These documents are the property of Parker
Design Group (PDG) and may not be reproduced
or used without the express permission of PDG.
Any reuse of these documents without
authorization of PDG will be at the sole risk of
the individual or entity utilizing said documents.
ENGINEERS SURVEYORS
PLANNERS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS
DESIGN GROUP
S:\2020 Projects\20-0126 - SML Dock & Marina\5 Work\Special Use Permit\Modified MP 032423\032423 SUP Master Plan Revised2.dwg April 6, 2023 1:42:41 PMDESIGNED BY:
DRAWN BY:
CHECKED BY:
SCALE:
DATE:
PROJECT NUMBER:
SHEET TITLE:
20-0126
REVISED APRIL 3, 2023188 LOCUST LN, PENHOOK, VA 24137PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, VIRGINIACONCEPT MASTER PLANTHE DOCK AT SMLLOW-MED DENSITY RESIDENTIAL/RECREATION
COMMERCIAL
OPEN SPACE & RECREATION
PARKING AND TRAVELWAYS
LAND USE LEGEND
1 inch = ft.
( IN FEET )
GRAPHIC SCALE
060 60 120
60
24030
GENERAL NOTES
1.THE INFORMATION SHOWN HEREON IS FOR PLANNING AND INVESTIGATIVE
PURPOSES ONLY; PARKER DESIGN GROUP MAKES NO WARRANTY,
REPRESENTATION, OR GUARANTEE AS TO THE ACCURACY OF THE EXISTING
CONDITIONS CONTENT AND DATA PROVIDED OR THEIR SOURCES.
2.NO ENGINEERING ANALYSIS HAS BEEN COMPLETED TO EVALUATE WATER SUPPLY,
SEWAGE HANDLING, AEP PERMITTING, OR TRAFFIC, THAT WOULD GUARANTEE THE
DENSITY AND USES CAN BE SUPPORTED AS SHOWN HEREON. PRELIMINARY
ENGINEERING STUDIES MAY RESULT IN RECONFIGURATION OF THE PLAN AND/OR
REQUIRE A REDUCTION OF DENSITY AND ANTICIPATED UTILITY DEMAND.
3.TOPOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SHOWN IS SOURCED FROM 2018 VGIN LiDAR
ELEVATION DATA.
4.THE EXISTING PROPERTY BOUNDARIES SHOWN ARE DRAWN BY OTHERS.
5.A PRELIMINARY PLAN OF DEVELOPMENT MUST BE PREPARED IN CONFORMANCE
WITH THE PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE.
6.ALL PLANNED STRUCTURES AND SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE SHALL CONFORM
TO ALL APPLICABLE REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS OF THE COUNTY, VDOT, DEQ,
USACE, AND THE VDH.
7.WATER SERVING SOME OF THE NEW USES IN THE DEVELOPMENT IS PLANNED TO
BE FACILITATED BY CONNECTION TO AN EXISTING PRIVATE WATER SYSTEM (IN
ACCORDANCE WITH VDH PERMITTING REGULATIONS). EXISTING PERMITTED
WELLS WITHIN THE DEVELOPMENT MAY SERVE SOME USES BASED ON
CALCULATED DEMANDS AND VDH PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS.
8.SANITARY SEWAGE WILL BE HANDLED IN ACCORDANCE WITH VDH REGULATIONS.
MASS DRAIN FIELD AREAS WILL BE UTILIZED EITHER ON OR OFFSITE FROM THE
COMMUNITY. FINAL DESIGN OF SYSTEMS WILL ULTIMATELY DEFINE THE NUMBER
OF RESIDENTIAL UNITS AND OTHER USE TYPES THAT CAN BE SUPPORTED.
MASTER PLAN SUMMARY
PROPERTY LOCATION: SMITH MOUNTAIN ROAD (#4960 AS REFERENCE)
MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT: CALLANDS - GRETNA
CURRENT OWNER: THE DOCK @ SML, LLC
CURRENT ZONING: RESIDENTIAL PLANNED DEVELOPMENT (RPD)
PARCELS INCLUDED IN DEVELOPMENT:
·1563-52-1714: 6.8 ACRES
·1563-53-1223 3.6 ACRES
·1563-53-1917: 2.4 ACRES
·1563-53-1623: 10.5 ACRES
·1563-53-3917: 0.7 ACRES
·1563-53-4051: 0.3 ACRES
·1563-52-5816: 1.2 ACRES
TOTAL ACREAGE:25.5 ACRES (+\-)
PROPOSED ZONING: RPD - SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR MARINA USE
PROPOSED USES:
·WET BOAT SLIPS (EXISTING AND NEW; MARINA USE)
·EXISTING DOCK OFFICE AND FUELING STATIONS (TO REMAIN; MARINA USE)
·PARKING SPACES (MARINA USE)
·REQUIRED OPEN SPACE
MINIMUM LOT AREA: 5 ACRES (RPD)
MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT: 80 FEET
MINIMUM YARD DIMENSIONS:
·FRONT = 35 FEET FROM RIGHT-OF-WAY
·SIDE = 10 FEET
·REAR = 30 FEET (20 FEET FOR SINGLE FAMILY CONTIGUOUS WITH SML)
FLOOR AREA REQUIREMENTS: NOT REGULATED
MINIMUM OFF-STREET PARKING: PER ZONING SECTIONS 35-80 THROUGH 35-82
MINIMUM OPEN SPACE: PER ZONING SECTION 35-301
·NOT LESS THAN 50% OF TOTAL GROSS AREA OF RPD
MINIMUM DEVELOPED RECREATIONAL SPACE IS 5% OF TOTAL AREA OF RPD
MARINA USE PARKING TABULATION:
·DRY STORAGE: 4 BUILDINGS (AT BUILD-OUT) 13,800 S.F.
··MINIMUM REQUIRED FOR OPERATIONS: 3 SPACES \ 1000 S.F. OF BUILDING
AREA + 1 SPACE \ EMPLOYEE
13.8 x 3 = 42 SPACES + 3 EMPLOYEES = 45 SPACES
·WET SLIPS TOTAL: 60 (46 EXISTING AND 14 NEW)
··ASSUME 0.6 SPACES PER SLIP = ** 0.6 = 36 SPACES**
··**MATCHES PARKING RANGE PER A.C.S.E. MANUAL 50 - "PLANNING AND
DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR SMALL CRAFT HARBORS.
TOTAL PARKING NEEDED: 81 PARKING SPOTS
TOTAL PARKING AVAILABLE: 85+ (WITH OVERFLOW)
S.U.P. APPENDIX 'C'
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12.a.
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Action Item
Agenda Title: Pursuant to Article V, Division 7, of the Pittsylvania County
Zoning Ordinance, we the Board of Zoning Appeals
have been empowered to hear and decide specific
applications and appeals in support of said Ordinance.
In accomplishing this important task we are charged
with promoting the health, safety, and general public
welfare of the citizens of Pittsylvania County. We must
ensure that all our decisions and recommendations be
directed to these goals and that each be consistent with
the environment, the comprehensive plan, and in the
best interest of Pittsylvania County, its citizens, and its
posterity. Anyone here to speak to the Board, other than
the applicant, regarding zoning cases will be limited to
(3) three minutes.
Staff Contact(s):
Agenda Date: May 8, 2023 Item Number: 12.a.
Attachment(s): None
Reviewed By:
SUMMARY:
FINANCIAL IMPACT AND FUNDING SOURCE:
RECOMMENDATION:
MOTION:
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12.a.1.
BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Rezoning Case
Agenda Title: Public Hearing: Case S-23-003 Christy Hicks; Special Use
Permit for a Summer Camp
Staff Contact(s): Emily Ragsdale
Agenda Date: May 8, 2023 Item Number: 12.a.1.
Attachment(s): 1. S-23-003 Christy Hicks App
2. S-23-003 Christy Hicks Concept
3. S-23-003 Christy Hicks Map
Reviewed By:
SUMMARY:
SUBJECT
Requested by Christy Hicks, for a Special Use Permit for a summer camp in accordance with
Pittsylvania County Code § 35-179. The property is 13.47 acres, located on State Road 724/Mill
Creek Road, in the Westover Election District and shown on the Tax Maps as GPIN #s 2318-15-
3457, 2318-15-4714 & 2318-05-8028.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Christy Hicks is requesting a Special Use Permit to allow for a summer camp on the property. PCC
§ 35-179 requires a Special Use Permit for summer camps under the A-1 zoning classification. The
property is currently vacant. The applicant is proposing to provide an educational opportunity for
children, ages 8-12, during the summer that would provide history, biblical, and agricultural and
horticultural lessons for school-aged kids. The camps would be day camps only. Additional
information from the applicant is included in the packet.
FUTURE LAND USE DESIGNATION
The Comprehensive Plan designates the future land use as Medium to High Density Residential.
ZONING AND CURRENT USE OF SURROUNDING PROPERTIES
Adjacent to A-1, Agricultural District, and R-1, Residential Suburban Subdivision District, properties.
SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN
N/A
FINANCIAL IMPACT AND FUNDING SOURCE:
Page 98 of 120
None
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends APPROVAL of Case S-23-003 with the following conditions:
1. Remain in compliance with all applicable Uniform Statewide Building Code regulations.
2. Remain in compliance with all applicable Virginia Department of Health regulations.
On April 4, 2023, the Planning Commission recommended, by an 8-0 vote, with no opposition, that
the Petitioner’s request be granted with the conditions by staff:
MOTION:
1. Approval of Case S-23-003 as submitted.
2. Approval of Case S-23-003 subject to conditions recommended by staff.
3. Approval of Case S-23-003 subject to conditions by the Board of Zoning
Appeals.
4. Denial of Case S-23-003 as submitted.
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