Rezoning for small veterinary 'haul-in' service put on hold after VDOT and advertisement issues

Planning staff brought a preliminary rezone request to the commission for a small "haul-in" veterinary service proposed by Miss Tomlinson that would occupy roughly 1.5–2 acres within a larger 27-acre holding. Staff said the public hearing scheduled for the night was canceled because the application had not been properly advertised and because VDOT flagged line-of-sight (site-distance) issues for the proposed driveway and access.

Staff described options under consideration: working with VDOT to address site-distance either by providing stopping-distance calculations tied to the road's speed limit and grade or by moving the entrance within the 27-acre parcel; obtaining a separate parcel number from the commissioner's office if the proposed veterinary site is separated; and possibly rezoning the small parcel to commercial so the applicant would not need repeated special-use permits. "We may have to go to a different parcel to be able to get this vet services in," Planning staff said, adding that rezoning to commercial would reduce repeated special‑use paperwork if the use becomes permanent.

Staff also noted the site sits adjacent to a large dairy operation and that the property currently lacks a commercial permit for any dairy activities. Commissioners raised access and signage questions, and staff said they would not schedule a public hearing until VDOT approvals and correct parceling/surveying are complete. No rezoning decision was made at the meeting.