Commission moves Lance Perkins’ request for auto‑sales permit to public hearing with conditions

The Buckingham County Planning Commission voted to forward a special‑use permit application from Lance Perkins for an auto‑sales operation to a public hearing on July 27, setting proposed conditions that would limit on‑site inventory and working inoperable vehicles.

Staff described the parcel (tax map 94, parcel 19) as roughly 6 acres in Magisterial District 4 and invited Perkins to explain his request. Perkins said he intends to operate a legal auto‑sales business from his property and expects to display five to 10 vehicles at a time as the business starts, though he acknowledged the site could physically accommodate more. "I really just want to display five to 10 cars at a time," Perkins said.

VDOT comments were read into the record: Brian Locker advised that the applicant had discussed the potential for advertising up to 50–60 vehicles but that the department recommended use of the westernmost access point to maximize site distance; no access improvements were required based on preliminary review.

Commissioners discussed ordinance limits on inoperable vehicles and potential conditions addressing hours, fencing and inventory. Members suggested limiting inoperable (being‑repaired) vehicles to four and total vehicles on site to 20 as a condition of the permit; the commission moved the application to a public hearing with those conditions and the motion passed unanimously.

Next steps: SUP 369 will appear on the commission’s July 27 public‑hearing agenda; staff will include VDOT comments and proposed permit conditions in the packet so neighbors can review and comment.