CONSENT AGENDA REQUEST

Sponsor:

Board of Supervisors Meeting Date:

Harry F. Atherton, Vice Chairman, Marshall District Supervisor

April 13, 2006

Staff Lead:

Department:

W. Todd Benson, Assistant Zoning Administrator

Community Development

Topic:

A Resolution Initiating a Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment to Sections 6-302.16 and 5-202 to Permit as Home Occupations, Party Supply Sales and Rentals and Farriers, and to Enact Certain Standards for Such Uses

Topic Description:

The public continues to come forward with business concepts suitable for home occupations, but not authorized by the Zoning Ordinance.  The purpose of this text amendment is to accommodate two such requests.

Requested Action of the Board of Supervisors:

Consider adoption of the attached resolution.

Financial Impact Analysis:

No financial impact analysis has been conducted.

Summary Staff Report:

The first request arose from an individual who would like to store “moon bounces” in his garage and transport them to parties for a fee.  At first glance, this seems relatively innocuous.  However, the term “party rentals” is of unknown quantity and quality.  Because of the breadth and scale of possible rentals, it seems appropriate to place this use within the jurisdiction of the Board of Zoning Appeals so that individual permit conditions may be imposed as appropriate.  Also suggested as a condition is indoor storage of leased items. 

The same individual who desires to rent moon bounces also wants to retail party favors.  Generally, resale operations are not allowed as home occupations.  If adopted, this would be a change.  If approved, a condition is recommended that sales could not occur at the home; the home would serve solely as a staging area to bring products to parties. It is recommended that this use require a special permit, ensuring that the use is appropriate for the neighborhood. 

Fauquier County has had a long connection to, and affinity for horses.  Fauquier County hosts the Virginia Gold Cup, the International Gold Cup, the Casanova point to point races, and various horse shows.  Fauquier County is home to the Virginia Horsemen’s Association, the Virginia Thoroughbred Association, the Commonwealth Dressage and Combined Training Association, the Mid-Atlantic Lipizzan Association, the Trailblazers Riding Club, the Casanova Warrenton Pony Club, the Old Dominion 100 Endurance Ride, the Casanova Hunt, Old Dominion Hounds, the Warrenton Hunt, the Fauquier County 4-H Horse Club, the Virginia Regional Therapeutic Riding Center, and the Virginia Horse Journal.  

Given the fact that Fauquier County is filled with horses, it is surprising that there is no zoning classification for the business of farrier.  Most, but not all, farriers work on the property where the horses are that they serve.  In some instances, the animals are brought to the farrier.  This text amendment provides for both kinds of operation.

Identify any other Departments, Organizations or Individuals that would be affected by this request:

Economic Development