The Botetourt Planning Commission will consider the first request for a special exceptions permit (SEP) that will allow apartments over top of a business that’s now possible after changes to the county’s zoning ordinance in December.
The planners will also hear two requests for SEPs for private kennels, one near Buchanan and one near Troutville when they meet Monday, Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. in the Old District Courthouse in Fincastle. The kennel owners do not intend to breed dogs.
Quad K LLC, whose principal is Tom Lucas of Downhome Pharmacy, is seeking the SEP so he can build a pharmacy with up to three apartments upstairs on a 0.98-acre lot at the intersection of Read Mountain Road and Teresa Lane. The intersection is 0.15 mile from the Cloverdale Road (Alt. 220) intersection. The property is zoned Business (B-1).
Lucas petitioned the county for a text amendment to the zoning ordinance that would clear the way for him to have apartments over a business. All three of the incorporated towns in the county allow apartments over businesses, and the idea met with unanimous approval from the planners and the Board of Supervisors as county officials look for ways to provide affordable housing for what’s expected to be an influx of job-seekers over the next couple of years.
Nancy B. Burley has applied for an SEP with possible conditions for a private dog kennel for up to 11 dogs on 4.241 acres at 180 Little Paws Lane, Buchanan, 0.20 mile from the intersection of Springwood Road. She’s asking for the SEP so she can keep some older dogs that she’s taking care of that puts her over the limit of dogs allowed without a kennel license.
Michael D. and Billie Jean Graham are also seeking an SEP with possible conditions for a private dog kennel for six dogs on 2.035 acres at 332 Gravel Hill Road, Troutville, 0.15 mile from the intersection of Parsons Road.
Both properties are zoned Agriculture (A-1).
All three requests are scheduled to go before the Board of Supervisors with the planners’ recommendations when the supervisors meet February 28.