Amherst board denies rezoning for proposed towing business

On a 3-1 vote, the Amherst County Board of Supervisors denied approval of a rezoning to allow a towing business and storage lot on U.S. 29 just north of the town of Amherst.

The applicant, Silas McDaniel, asked to rezone the roughly 2.5-acre site near the U.S. 29-Virginia 151 intersection from General Residential, R-2, to General Commercial, B-2. Tyler Creasy, director of community development, said the surrounding area is a “Hodgepodge” of different zoning districts and uses. Properties adjoining to the north and south are zoned R-2 with single-family homes.

An auto storage lot to serve the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office and Virginia State Police was a listed use in the zoning application from the business.

Supervisor Tom Martin said he couldn’t support the R-2 zoning and a conditional use permit to allow the towing operation, calling it “too much” for that area. Vice Chair Claudia Tucker voted against denial, referencing a 5-0 vote of recommended approval from the Amherst County Planning Commission.

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“I would hate to see this gentleman who put money into this idea have to walk out of here with nothing,” Tucker said. “I like to be business friendly.”

Martin replied, “I do too but I don’t think this is the right spot for that type of business. This is going to be basically wrecked cars sitting on the side of U.S. 29. And that’s not the image I want to present.”

Creasy said county staff is under the belief the vehicles could not be seen from U.S. 29 or from Toytown Road nearby and the applicant had indicated he would keep the site fenced.

Supervisor Chris Adams said he wants to support small business, but he also agreed with Martin’s concern about the appearance of the corridor.

“I don’t think we need to disregard the fact the north end as well is still a gateway into our county,” Adams said.

Martin said although no one spoke for or against the proposed use during a public hearing at the board’s July 16 meeting he is thinking about the residents in the motion for denial.

“It’s a residential district; you’re going to be moving vehicles in and out all times of day and night between two residences,” Martin said. “It’s too intense of a use, it’s too visually obstructive...I see it’s my duty to protect people in my district.”

As presented, $28 million will come to Virginia if 100% of localities agree to the settlement and, if approved, monies should begin to flow as early as October.

“Amherst County has been required and will continue to be required to allocate substantial taxpayer dollars, resources, staff energy and time to address the damage the opioid epidemic has caused and continues to cause the citizens of Amherst County,” the resolution states.

Justin Faulconer

(434) 473-2607

[email protected]

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