BZA Minutes 01 08 2019PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS
REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
MINUTES
VIRGINIA: The Pittsylvania County Board of Zoning Appeals met on Tuesday, January 8,
2019, in the General District Courtroom, Edwin R. Shields Courthouse Addition, Chatham,
Virginia. Mr. Talbott called the meeting to order at approximately 7:00 p.m. The Board
observed a moment of silence. Mrs. Hayes called the roll.
PRESENT
Kenneth Talbott
R. Allan Easley
Joseph “Jay” Craddock
Helen Glass
Leon Griffith
Ronald Merricks
Carroll Yeaman
Karen N. Hayes
Christopher Dadak, Attorney
ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN
Upon motion of Mr. Yeaman, seconded by Mr. Griffith, and by unanimous vote, Mr. Talbott was
elected Chairman and Mr. Easley was elected Vice Chairman for the year 2019.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Upon motion of Mr. Craddock, seconded by Mr. Merricks, and by unanimous vote, the agenda
was approved as presented.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Upon motion of Mr. Merricks, seconded by Mr. Yeaman, and by unanimous vote, the minutes
of the November 13, 2018, meeting were approved as presented.
OLD BUSINESS
The Board reviewed the 2018 Annual Report. Upon motion of Mr. Easley, seconded by Mrs.
Glass, and by unanimous vote, the Annual Report was approved as presented.
NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business.
Board of Zoning Appeals
Page 2
January 8, 2019
THE ZONING PRECEPTS WERE READ BY Mr. Talbott to OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING at
approximately 7:04 p.m.
Case S-19-001, Hope Center Ministries – Mr. Talbott opened the public haring at approximately
7:04 p.m. Mrs. Hayes, Deputy Director of Community Development, reported that Hope Center
Ministries had
petitioned for a Special Use Permit on 20.06 acres, located on State Road 742/Walnut Creek
Road, in the Westover Election District for a residential addiction treatment group home. She
further stated the Planning Commission, with opposition, recommended denying the
petitioner’s request. No one was present to represent the petition. Upon motion of Mr.
Yeaman, seconded by Mr. Merricks, and by a unanimous vote, the Board elected to proceed
with the meeting without the applicant present. Robert Arnn (presented a petition with thirteen
(13) additional signatures in opposition to the petition), David Barnes, Susan Clark, Meaghan
Smith, James Clark, Jim Scearce, Vanessa Scearce, Petra Haskins, Bryan Haskins, Debra
Warren, Justin Hastings, and Reed Rogers spoke in opposition to the petition. Their concerns
included, but were not limited to, the following: public safety hazard; lack of information at the
Planning Commission meeting; lower property values; need a more suitable location; need
more information on the case; there is a need for this type of facility, but not in a residential
area; this has always been a peaceful neighborhood; this is a threat to the community, etc.
The Chairman closed the public hearing at
approximately 7:40 p.m. The Board discussed the petition, at length, as the Committee of the
Whole. The adverse effects discussed included the following: (1) inadequate security; (2) poor
police response time and public safety; (3) would change the character of the neighborhood
and lower property values; (4) magnet for drug trafficking; (5) unsupervised residence and
unsecured; (6) traffic increased; (7) better locations and buildings; and (8) personal risk. The
Board members also discussed their personal concerns regarding the following issues: (1) The
applicant was not present to offer a rebuttal; (2) The application was inadequate; (3) Staff and
number of residents at the facility; (4) Certain things cannot be mitigated by conditions; and (4)
This is not the place for this type of facility. Upon motion of Mr. Merricks, seconded by Mr.
Yeaman, the following motion was adopted: Whereas , Hope Center Ministries has petitioned
the Board of Zoning Appeals for a Special Use Permit for a residential addiction treatment
group home, and, Whereas, we find substantial detriment to adjacent property, that the
character of the zoning district will be changed thereby, and that such use will not be in
harmony with the purpose and intent of the Ordinance, I move the Special Use Permit be
denied. Motion passed unanimously.
This concludes the Special Use Case.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:50 p.m.
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Kenneth Talbott, Chairman
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Kathy H. Belton, Clerk