HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-24 BOS Staff Report
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT #01-24
Christopher Nicholas Bowie – Public Garage with Body Repair
Staff Report for the Board of Supervisors
Prepared: March 27, 2024
Staff Contact: Amy L. Feltner, Planner
This report is prepared by the Frederick County Planning Staff to provide information to the
Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors to assist them in making a decision on this
request. It may also be useful to others interested in this zoning matter.
Reviewed Action
Planning Commission: 03/20/24 Recommended Approval
Board of Supervisors: 04/10/24 Pending
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This is a request for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the establishment of a public garage with
body repair at 703 N. Pifer Road, Star Tannery, in the Back Creek Magisterial District; the subject
property is zoned RA (Rural Areas). Should the Planning Commission find this application to be
appropriate, Staff recommends that the following conditions be attached to the CUP:
1. All review agency comments and requirements shall be complied with at all times.
2. An illustrative sketch plan shall be submitted to and approved by Frederick County and
all improvements completed prior to the establishment of the use.
3. All parking areas shall have gravel or hard surfaces.
4. The business is not permitted to have employees beyond those residing on the property.
5. The hours of operation shall be from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to
12 p.m. on Saturday, and closed Sunday.
6. A maximum of five vehicles awaiting service is permitted.
7. Any expansion or change of use shall require a new Conditional Use Permit.
Following this public hearing, a decision regarding this Conditional Use Permit application by the
Board of Supervisors would be appropriate. The Applicant should be prepared to adequately
address all concerns raised by the Board of Supervisors.
Page 2
CUP #01-24, Christopher Nicholas Bowie
March 27, 2024
LOCATION: The subject property is located at 703 N. Pifer Road, Star Tannery.
MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT: Back Creek
PROPERTY ID NUMBER: 69-A-35B
PROPERTY ZONING & PRESENT USE: Zoned: RA (Rural Areas) District
ADJOINING PROPERTY ZONING & PRESENT USE:
North: RA (Rural Areas) Use: Residential/Vacant
South: RA (Rural Areas) Use: Residential
East: RA (Rural Areas) Use: Residential
West: RA (Rural Areas) Use: Residential
PROPOSED USE: This is a request for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to establish a public garage
with body repair.
REVIEW EVALUATIONS:
Virginia Department of Transportation: A VDOT review has been completed for the Conditional
Use Permit for Nick Bowie, to operate a public garage for rust repair named Nick’s Autobody, LLC.
at 703 N. Pifer Rd, Star Tannery, VA 22654. This parcel is identified as TM# 69-A-35B and consists
of 25 acres. The existing access to the facility is adequate for the proposed use outlined based on the
limited number of additional trips stated in the CUP application. We have no objection to the
proposal currently. Should the use expand in the future, we would appreciate the opportunity to
revisit at that time to determine if any improvement would be needed. Please see attached letter
dated February 6, 2024, from J. Ryan Spielman, Land Use Engineer.
Winchester-Frederick County Health Department: No objections provided the Owner is the sole
operator and will have no employees. Please see the attached letter dated January 10, 2024, from
Kevin Yost, Environmental Health Specialist Supervisors.
County Fire Marshall: Approved. The portable fire extinguisher(s) shall be provided as outlined in
the Frederick County Fire Prevention Code. Please see the attached letter dated January 22, 2024,
from Adam Hounshell, Lieutenant/Assistant Fire Marshal.
Frederick County Inspections: The building shall meet all requirements of the Virginia Uniform
Statewide Building Code. The building will be required to have an evaluation of the foundation and
structural components by a Virginia registered structural engineer. Please see the attached letter
dated January 17, 2024, from Mark Fleet, Building Official.
Frederick County Public Works: We offer no comments at this time. Please see attached letter
dated January 29, 2024, from Joe Wilder, Director of Public Works.
Page 3
CUP #01-24, Christopher Nicholas Bowie
March 27, 2024
Planning and Zoning:
This proposed Conditional Use Permit (CUP) is for a public garage with body repair. The Frederick
County Zoning Ordinance defines a “Public Garage” as designed or used for servicing, repairing, or
equipping motor vehicles. §165-204.12 requires Motor vehicle service uses, automotive repair
shops, and public garages to:
(A) All repairs shall take place entirely within an enclosed structure.
(B) All exterior storage of parts and equipment shall be screened from view of surrounding
properties by an opaque fence or screen at least six feet in height.
(C) Inoperable motor vehicles must be stored within a totally enclosed building or screened
on all sides by a six-foot opaque element such as a fence, wall, or berm.
(D) In the RA, M1, M2 and TM Zoning Districts, the sale of automobiles shall not be
permitted as an accessory use to any automotive repair shop.
This proposed use would be conducted entirely within an existing building on the property which is
accessed via an existing private driveway at 703 N. Pifer Road, Star Tannery. The Applicant is not
requesting any employees with this CUP.
Staff did a site inspection and discussed the screening options for the parking area. The applicant
decided to contain all activities inside the structure. Should the need to use the two parking spaces to
store vehicles arise, a gravel surface and screening, such as a 6’ tall opaque fence or 6’ tall double
row of evergreens, shall be installed. The screening shall be installed around the north, south, and
western sides of the parking area. The eastern side of the parking area was screened by the existing
structure.
The property is surrounded by other RA (Rural Areas) zoned property, which includes vacant
agricultural and single-family detached residences. The Comprehensive Plan identifies this area of
the County as “rural” and is to remain agricultural in nature and is not part of any land use study.
PLANNING COMMISSION SUMMARY AND ACTION FROM THE 03/20/24 MEETING:
The Planning Commission verified that Mr. Bowie resided on the property as his primary residence.
There was no further discussion. The Planning Commissioners unanimously recommended approval
of the CUP.
Following this public hearing, a decision regarding this Conditional Use Permit application by the
Board of Supervisors would be appropriate. The Applicant should be prepared to adequately
address all concerns raised by the Board of Supervisors.