RV storage could be an Oilville option
BY JIM RIDOLPHI


Aug 27, 2008

Facility would house boats, recreational vehicles

Looking for a place to store that cumbersome recreational vehicle or boat? Goochland County may have the answer if a recently recommended project gains board approval in October.

John Houck plans to open a 91-space storage facility in the industrial park at Oilville. The operation would allow owners of expensive RVs and large boats to securely park their property in a secured, monitored location.

Houck’s proposal gained the Planning Commission’s nod of approval in the form of a recommendation for approval to the Board of Supervisors. That hearing should take place at the October 6 meeting.

There was little concern regarding Houck’s proposal, but several commissioners did question the staff’s recommendation that opaque fencing surround the facility. The panel agreed that stipulation should be included, but were not sure on exactly what type of fence that would entail.

Planning director Bob Hammond said the wording was intentionally vague to leave some latitude in the applicant’s choices of fencing. He said the county obviously doesn’t want a chain link fence with slats installed.

Director of Community Development Don Charles said a smaller mesh colored chain link fence might provide adequate screening for the storage lot.

Commissioner Courtney Hyers asked if there were specific guidelines for fencing at the planning department. “What kind of opaque fence does the Planning Department consider to be the most desirable?” she asked. Charles said the guidelines are flexible, but the county’s ultimate goal is to screen the activity with a visually friendly barrier.

Houck said he is considering a wood privacy fence, but is “open to just about anything.”

He said the property is buffered from neighboring businesses on all sides. “I want it to look nice,” Houck said. “We have a 50-foot barrier on two sides so it’s going to be hard to see anyway.”

Virginia RV Storage would be located at Triple T in Merchants Lane and would serve customers 24 hours a day through a gated entrance.

One resident voiced concern over the 24-hour access, the safety of large vehicles pulling on and off Rt. 250 and the ability of RV owners to maintain payments in such a demanding economy. Addressing the latter, commissioners said that was a problem for the applicant, not the county.

The panel recommended approval of the issuance unanimously.

Bob Hammond briefed the commission on procedures for obtaining conditional use permits, rezonings and plans of development.

It’s a complicated system consisting of numerous steps and delays, and many commissioners were in favor of reducing those timelines.

Charles explained that much of the delay is involved with advertising deadlines for public hearings that sometimes delay the process for up to 60 days.

Hammond suggested a change in meeting dates could lessen the delays. Years ago, the Planning Commission met on the fourth Thursday of each month instead of its current third Thursday meeting date. That was changed due to holiday conflicts in the months of November and December.

Hammond noted that if the panel chose the fourth Tuesday option, items referred to the Commission could be heard within the same month, eliminating one 30-day delay.

Commissioner Knight Bowles moved to change the meeting date effective immediately, but it did not receive a second. Several commissioners said the change was worth consideration and study, but did not favor quick action on such a major change in the Commission’s schedule.

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