It was not three strikes and you're out last night for developer Frank Sealy, who hopes to have his Mine Road office park built in 2010.
Supervisors approved his rezoning last night on a 5-2 vote.
This was the third time the rezoning came to Spotsylvania supervisors, and it was the second public hearing after supervisors tabled the project for 30 days. The project is the first controversial rezoning application supervisors have faced in more than a year.
Neighbors say the office park causes "spot zoning" because it splits residential properties. Residents also are concerned about traffic and having an office park on a busy two-lane road that has no available funds for widening. Sealy's land was zoned residential.
Eight people opposed the road, and two supported the project. Mine Road resident Jay Mason said approving this rezoning will set a precedent and make it difficult for supervisors to deny rezoning they consider to be spot zoning.
Sealy originally planned to build a two-story building and a four-story building, but he agreed to keep them both at two-stories. The total space will still be 123,000 square feet on about 8 acres just east of the intersection of Spotsylvania Avenue and Falcon Drive, the WaWa and Mason's home. Homes line Mine Road toward its intersection with Lansdowne Road. To the north is a strip of empty offices.
Supervisor Gary Skinner said the project means more tax revenue. "We need to look at the big picture and see what the county will gain from this rezoning. If you want lower taxes, we need to develop more commercial."
Supervisors Emmitt Marshall, Hap Connors, Jerry Logan and T.C. Waddy supported the rezoning; Supervisors Gary Skinner and Benjamin Pitts did not.
"If Mr. Sealy owned property by the new hospital, that is where this project should go," Pitts said.
Dan Telvock: 540/374-5438
Email: dtelvock@freelancestar.com