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Diamond Hill Debate Continues

   Written by on September 19, 2013 at 5:30 am
With a crowd that filled the Council room and visitors spilling out into the hall and with a possible record number of people signed up to address them, the Charlotte Court House Town Council met to discuss issues regarding Diamond Hill – a conference center, boutique and bed and breakfast.
The Charlotte Court House Town Council voted to enact an amended version of the recommendations from the Planning Commission regarding Diamond Hill.
Twenty-three citizens, including Virginia Senators Bill Stanley and Thomas Garrett, Jr., addressed the council regarding Diamond Hill. Nineteen spoke strongly in favor of the business and three spoke in opposition.
One change regarded allowing the Diamond Hill boutique to sell to the public. The revised amendment permits Diamond Hill to sell to guests but council declined to define guests. It is unclear if all customers are guests or if council intended to restrict customers.
Following the vote, which granted Diamond Hill a special use permit for a business in the R-1 residential zone, but denied the application to rezone the property and retroactively added conditions to the business license for Diamond Hill.
Neither those supporting Diamond Hill nor those supporting the recommendations of the Planning Commission seemed happy with the results of the vote.
For the full list of recommendations from the Planning Commission and the changes made by the Town Council, please visit southsidemessenger.com

Town of Charlotte Court House

Planning Commission Recommendations with Council Changes (in red)

1.)  Application to Rezone from R-1 Limited Residential to B-1 Light Business

The Planning Commission recommended that the Charlotte Court House Town Council deny the application to rezone from R-1 Limited Residential to B-1 Light Business because B-1 zoning of that parcel would be contrary to the intended characteristics of that area of Town. PASSED BY COUNCIL

2.)  Application to amend the Zoning Ordinance to add Bed & Breakfast to the list of permitted uses in R-1 district with a Special Use Permit.

The Planning Commission recommended that the Town Council add “Bed & Breakfast” to Article 2 of the Limited Residential District (R-1) under section 2-2 Use Regulations by Special Use Permit. PASSED BY COUNCIL

3.) Application to amend the Zoning Ordinance to add Bed & Breakfast to Article 18: Definitions of Words & Terms using supplied definition. 

The Planning Commission recommended that the Town Council approve adding term Bed & Breakfast to Article 18 – Definitions of Words and Terms with the following definition:

“A dwelling in which overnight accommodations are provided for not more than ten (10) guests; when located in the R-1 Limited Residential district and/or H-1 Historic District, the following additional conditions apply:  

     – No more than five (5) bedrooms can be designated as guest quarters; 

     – The only meal served shall be breakfast, for guests only; unless it is a catered event.

     – Off street parking of one space per guest bedroom shall be provided. 

     – The exterior of the single-family dwelling in which the bed & breakfast establishment is operated shall maintain its single-family dwelling character;

     – Additional requirements may be set by the Town Council due to specific conditions of a particular application.”  PASSED BY COUNCIL

4.) Application for a Special Use Permit to operate a Bed & Breakfast

The Planning Commission recommended that the Town Council approve the Hall’s application for a Special Use Permit to operate a Bed & Breakfast in the Limited Residential District (R-1) subject to the following conditions:

a) Special events such as weddings, receptions, charity fundraisers and business meetings may be held on the premises only after:

 i)  the Town is notified if 100 or more people are expected to attend;

 ii) if required by VDOT, a copy of the Virginia Dept. of Transportation (VDOT) event application shall be provided to the Charlotte Court House Town Council prior to the Council’s approval of the event;

iii) adjoining property owners are notified in writing of upcoming events as soon as possible, but no less than ten days prior to an event; if requested the Town will provide a list of neighboring property owners;

iv)  outdoor sound amplification provided during events must cease by 10:00 p.m.

b) The dwelling may have a gift shop or boutique that is open and/or available to guests at Diamond Hill only.

c) If the bed & breakfast ceases operation for twelve consecutive months (365 days), this Special Use Permit is voided.

d) An unlighted 2’x2’ sign displaying the name of the bed & breakfast establishment may be attached to the front of the structure; any variance from this would have to approved by the Town Council.  PASSED BY COUNCIL

 

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