Planning commission backs 10,000‑square‑foot event venue, forwards CUP to Board
April 20, 2026 | New Kent County, Virginia
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The New Kent County Planning Commission voted April 20 to recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve a conditional‑use permit for a proposed 10,000‑square‑foot event venue on a 48.5‑acre parcel at 17701 Polish Town Road.
Patrick Silva, principal planner with the Department of Community Development, told the commission staff supports the CUP application subject to a number of conditions. The applicant proposes an assembly use intended for weddings, private parties and corporate events with a maximum of 200 attendees and a 50‑space gravel parking lot; construction would require a subsequent site plan and a lot line adjustment so the venue could be established as a separate parcel.
Silva said environmental and site‑level reviews identified multiple prerequisites: a wetland permit and a Chesapeake Bay exception for pond/spillway work because parts of the site fall within a regulated RPA buffer; fire‑protection requirements for assembly buildings over 5,000 square feet (including either sprinkler systems or subdividing fire areas in construction plans); and a transportation review to confirm the need for a moderate‑volume commercial entrance and a recorded shared‑access agreement.
To limit community impacts, staff proposed operational conditions that would regulate hours, maximum attendees, noise and site maintenance. Silva also described a five‑year expiration tied to issuance of a certificate of occupancy: if no CO is issued within five years the CUP would expire.
There was no public comment on the item. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about well/septic service, potential fire hydrant access and parking demand; staff said site plan review would address utilities, VDH and building‑code requirements and that VDOT would evaluate entrance design and traffic generation once trip data were submitted.
A motion to adopt Resolution PC‑04‑26 forwarding CUP‑01‑2026 to the Board of Supervisors with a favorable recommendation passed on roll call.
The Board of Supervisors will consider the proposal at its May meeting; the commission’s recommendation and the staff conditions will be included in the record.
Patrick Silva, principal planner with the Department of Community Development, told the commission staff supports the CUP application subject to a number of conditions. The applicant proposes an assembly use intended for weddings, private parties and corporate events with a maximum of 200 attendees and a 50‑space gravel parking lot; construction would require a subsequent site plan and a lot line adjustment so the venue could be established as a separate parcel.
Silva said environmental and site‑level reviews identified multiple prerequisites: a wetland permit and a Chesapeake Bay exception for pond/spillway work because parts of the site fall within a regulated RPA buffer; fire‑protection requirements for assembly buildings over 5,000 square feet (including either sprinkler systems or subdividing fire areas in construction plans); and a transportation review to confirm the need for a moderate‑volume commercial entrance and a recorded shared‑access agreement.
To limit community impacts, staff proposed operational conditions that would regulate hours, maximum attendees, noise and site maintenance. Silva also described a five‑year expiration tied to issuance of a certificate of occupancy: if no CO is issued within five years the CUP would expire.
There was no public comment on the item. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about well/septic service, potential fire hydrant access and parking demand; staff said site plan review would address utilities, VDH and building‑code requirements and that VDOT would evaluate entrance design and traffic generation once trip data were submitted.
A motion to adopt Resolution PC‑04‑26 forwarding CUP‑01‑2026 to the Board of Supervisors with a favorable recommendation passed on roll call.
The Board of Supervisors will consider the proposal at its May meeting; the commission’s recommendation and the staff conditions will be included in the record.
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