Six short-term rentals up for approval in Danville; Campbell County Supervisors to consider permit for recycling transfer center
Plus: Pittsylvania Supervisors to hold public hearing on return of election precinct to Tunstall High School
The heat index is up today as summer reminds us of the current position of the Earth in its cycle around the Sun. This edition has been written under the influence of air conditioning but within earshot of families playing in a splash park in Charlottesville.
This edition covers localities to the south towards Parallel 36°30′ north. This experimental newsletter seeks to expand my knowledge of what local governments do in all 24 localities in the Fifth District but today’s jurisdictions are all along U.S. 29. That highway has been a prominent setting in my life and I look forward to exploring more than just the stretch north of Lynchburg.
Danville City Council will consider special use permits for six short-term rentals in a community that anticipates additional tourism due to the forthcoming Caesar’s casino. A pipe supplier also seeks to set up shop on the site of a former car dealer.
The work of the firm Elite Recycling comes up twice at the Campbell County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday, and Judge Samuel Johnston will be recognized.
The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing Tuesday on moving the Tunstall voting precinct back to Tunstall High School after getting permission from the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The Pittsylvania Planning Commission had two public hearings including one on a special use permit for a new electric transmission line.
Several great articles from my colleagues across the Fifth District to get you informed about more from Campbell, Danville, and Pittsylvania.
Danville City Council to consider six short-term rentals in Old Town Residential districts
The nine-member Danville City Council will meet at 7 p.m. at City Council Chambers at 427 Patton Street in Danville. They usually meet on Tuesdays so this one is normal. (meeting overview)
After the invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, announcements, and other meeting starters, there will be a proclamation recognizing Constitution Week September 17 through September 23.
There are public hearings for seven land use items on the agenda.
Fortiline Inc seeks a special use permit to allow for a wholesale pipe supply business to operate at 4780 Riverside Drive. According to the staff report, the 2.7 acre site is a former car dealership that has been vacant for many years. The Planning Commission recommended approval but only with conditions related to where outdoor storage can occur on the property.
International Security Investments and Hampton Wilkins seek a special use permit for a short term rental to operate at 110 Park Avenue as a principal use. The property is zoned Old Town Residential and a house built in 1959 stands on the land. The Planning Commission recommended approval. (staff report)
International Security Investments also seeks a special use permit to do the same thing at 822 West Main Street. The house here was built in 1910 and purchased by the applicant in 2017. The Planning Commission recommended approval. (staff report)
Signature Investments Group seeks a special use permit to operate a short-term rental as a principal use at 49 Augusta Avenue. This house was built in 2006 and was purchased by the applicant this year. The Planning Commission recommended approval. (staff report)
A couple seek a special use permit for 2511 REC LLC to operate a short-term rental at 66 Stokesland Avenue. This house was built in 1960 and purchased by the corporation this year. The Planning Commission recommended approval. (staff report)
The same couple has filed another permit for 2511 REC LLC to operate a short-term rental at 69 Schoolfield Drive. This house was built in 1940 and bought by the applicant this April. The Planning Commission recommended approval. (staff report)
Gibson Investing LLC seeks a special use permit for a special use permit to operate at 212 Wood Avenue.This house was built in 1910 and the applicant purchased the property in 2016. (staff report)
At the end of the meeting, there will be a work session. Councilors will move to the 4th Floor Conference Room and get an update on economic development efforts.
Public hearing to be held in Pittsylvania for familiar Tunstall precinct location change
The seven member Board of Supervisors in Pittsylvania County will meet at 6 p.m. for a meeting outside of their usual pattern. They meet at 39 Bank Street SE in Chatham. The sole item on the agenda is a public hearing on a change for the location of the Tunstall voting precinct. (agenda packet)
“Due to redistricting, the previous Tunstall precinct located at Tunstall High School was located more than one mile outside of the boundary and thus required a location change,” reads the staff report.
The original plan was for the new precinct to be located Mount Hermon Baptist Church and Supervisors voted to make the change in June after a public hearing.
“Subsequently, the Electoral Board was notified that the new precinct was no longer available at Mount Herman Baptist Church,” the report continues.
Registrar Shani Shorte asked the Virginia Board of Elections for a waiver to allow Tunstall High School to continue as the voting location. The exemption has been granted but a new public hearing is required.
The Tunstall Precinct is one of four in the Chatham-Blairs Election District. \
Pittsylvania PC to hold public hearing on new Appalachian Power transmission line
So far, this newsletter cannot claim to provide a preview of all meetings in the Fifth District. But that may change here and there. But I can say that the Planning Commission will start at 7 p.m. on Tuesday just after Supervisors have finished up. (meeting packet)
There are two public hearings.
The first is a request from a couple to rezone three parcels totaling 27.92 acres from R-1 to A-1. The applicants seek to become compliant with the agricultural uses underway now. The properties are on Sam Haley Road and Joe Carter Road.
The second is a request from Appalachian Power for a special use permit for a transmission line and substation.
“The proposed project will be a new 138kV transmission line that will connect the existing Axton-Danville No. 2 138kV transmission line to the existing West Fork Substation, delivering an additional power source to support the local transmission system and increase electric reliability for the community,” reads the staff report. The new substation would be next to the existing one.
Campbell County Supervisors to consider business incentives and rezoning for Elite Recycling
The seven-member Board of Supervisors in Campbell County will meet at 6 p.m. at their regular meeting held on the first Tuesday of the month. (agenda packet)
The meeting will begin with a special recognition of the effort to name a section of U.S. 501 after a late Campbell County Circuit Court judge.
“At the February 7, 2023 regular meeting, the Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution to request the Commonwealth Transportation Board and the Virginia Department of Transportation to formally name a section of Route 501 from South Lynchburg City Limits to the east Route 24 intersection for a total of 7.96 miles the Judge J. Samuel Johnston, Jr. Memorial Highway,” reads the staff report.
Johnston retired in 2008. He died last December according to his obituary on Virginia Lawyers Weekly.
The CTB approved a motion to rename the highway at its meeting on March 29. Now Johnston will be honored at this special recognition.
“We will join with Judge Johnston ’s family and colleagues to officially dedicate this section of roadway and remember not only Judge Johnston ’s contributions to Campbell County, but also to remember the many people he friended along the way with his humor and love of the people of this area,” the report continues.
After that event, County Administrator Frank J. Rogers will present several items.
The first is a request to carry over $978,468.29 in the General Fund from FY23 to FY24 for various purposes. There’s also a request to carryover over $2.87 billion in the capital improvement program budget. This comes with a reminder of how capital budgeting works.
“It is important to remember that the Capital Improvement Plan is a five-year plan and funds within each year of the plan are oftentimes budgeted in anticipation of accruing over the five-year period to fully fund projects and needs,” reads the agenda.
Here are some more details in the memo. Here’s something that looks more like a balance sheet.
The second item is a discussion of a company that is expanding its work on solid waste reuse.
“Elite Recycling acquired the property on Puckett Road, formerly known as the Dan River Site, to expand their recycling operations,” reads the staff report for the presentation by Economic Development Director Nina Rezai.
Elite Recycling is investing in single stream recycling and have been renovating 40,000 square feet to accommodate their business. The company’s investment has met the threshold necessary to apply for business incentives.
“Elite Recycling qualifies for $32,000 in business incentives,” the report continues. “That will be distributed over four years.”
Supervisors have to approve this use of funds.
The third item is a discussion of the potential for more uses of the a county-owned parking lot. The space has been used by a Community Farmers Market since 1998 when Supervisors approved that use.
“From time to time the County has received other requests to use the Social Services Parking Lot for food trucks and other events,” reads the staff report. “More recently we have received requests to use the parking lot for Fall Festival/trunk or treat type of events.”
Finally, the fourth item is a discussion of specific requests Supervisors have made related to highway matters. Take a look at that staff report here if you’re interested. Tell me what you find!
After these items and approval of the consent agenda, there will be a closed session for two items. The first is to “discuss legal matters related to a public nuisance” and the second is “to discuss a prospective existing business or industry expansion.”
After the closed session, there are two public hearings.
The first is Elite Recyling’s request to rezone 4.887 acres of land on Greystone Drive from Business / General Commercial to Industrial - Heavy. This is accompanied by a request for a special use permit to allow for construction of a transfer facility.
“The new building will be used as a transfer site for paper, plastics, and cardboard,” reads the agenda.
The 11,000 square foot facility would be built behind an existing garage.
The second public hearing is for a special use permit for an automobile sales business at 957 Red House Road. This is on land zoned agricultural requiring this extra step.
“The owner repairs or restores mostly antique cars and trucks,” reads the staff report. “He would like to operate a small automobile dealership on the property.”
Reading material for Campbell, Danville, and Pittsylvania:
No offers so far from developers on what to do what former Lou's property in downtown Danville, John Crane, Danville Register & Bee (paywall), August 22, 2023
Campbell County Board of Supervisors received update on broadband construction for county, Rodney Robinson, Lynchburg News & Advance (paywall), August 23, 2023
195-unit apartment complex to come to Stewart Street in Danville, Makayla Shelton, WDBJ-7, August 25, 2023
With Axton housing project plan OK'd, supervisor addresses lingering worries, Charles Wilborn, Danville Register & Bee (paywall), August 25, 2023
Danville series designed to develop frontline manufacturing leaders, Danville Register & Bee (paywall), August 26, 2023
Old 97 Tavern & Arcade to open in Danville, themed around historic train wreck, Makayla Shelton, WDBJ-7, August 28, 2023
Vic Ingram to step down from Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors, will no longer campaign to keep seat, Charles Wilborn, Danville Register & Bee (paywall), August 28, 2023
Ingram suspends reelection campaign, Bobby Allen Roach, August 30, 2023
Danville’s revived Old West End neighborhood blends the old and the new, Grace Mamon, Cardinal News, August 31, 2023
Danville leaders not surprised at Roanoke eying Booth for police chief, John Crane, Danville Register & Bee (paywall), August 31, 2023
New visitor’s center opens in Altavista library, Altavista Journal, August 31, 2023
County electoral board member levels accusations, Bobby Allen Roach, Chatham Star-Tribune, September 2, 2023
New economic development plan promotes businesses and workforce development in Pittsylvania County, Makayla Shelton, WDBJ-7, September 1, 2023