Plans by property owner Emmett Snead III to remove sand and gravel from land on Route 17, a half-mile east of Route 610 in the Port Royal Magisterial District, hit another snag last week.
The Caroline County Planning Commission recommended that the supervisors deny a request by Snead to amend his special exception permit to remove language that it is non-transferable, replace the one-year renewal requirement with a five-year review and remove the requirement of a left-turn lane on Route 17.
Snead had argued last month that he needed the concessions in order to make a go of his operation.
Planning Commission member Timothy Thompson, who represents Port Royal, had the most questions of staff prior to the vote, which had been tabled from an earlier meeting.
If the commission drops the left-turn lane requirement, Thompson asked staff, “Are we opening up a can of worms?”
Thompson was informed by county attorney Ann Neil Cosby that each sand and gravel case has to be considered on its own merits, so it would not be setting a precedent.
Thompson also asked how many similar mining operations along Route 17 between Routes 2 and 301 have been approved (four) and how many acres combined are involved in these applications (about 550 acres).
In addition, Thompson wondered if there was any way to put in a clause to Snead’s permit that would require the property owner to install a left-turn lane at a later date if traffic picked up to the point that VDOT then required one.
With no additional questions, commission vice chairman Bob Fiumara made a motion to recommend denial of the application. It was seconded by Charles Shewbridge and passed unanimously.
With that major piece of business dispatched, the commission then approved a list of housekeeping motions including one that allows for more flexible operation of seasonal events such as farmers markets and yard sales.
The balance of the meeting included regrets and best wishes for long-time county attorney Ann Niel Cosby, who is leaving Caroline to work for the Richmond-based law firm of McGuireWoods LLP.
While surprised, planning commission members were unanimous in thanking Cosby for her service and wishing her well on her new endeavor.
“Your wealth of knowledge has kept me under control, which is no easy task,” said Thompson. “I am flabbergasted to know you are leaving.”
“I am deeply sorry you are leaving,” added commission member William Smith.