Nelson PC to consider request for homes on business-zoned property in Lovingston

The Nelson County Planning Commission will meet at 7 p.m. in the General District Courtroom in Lovingston. (meeting packet)

There’s a public hearing for a special use permit to allow two residential units at 622 Front Street, a property in Lovingston zoned B-1. There would also be commercial space in the renovated building. 

“The property previously held a Special Use Permit for a dwelling, which has expired after more than 2 years of vacancy,” reads the staff report. 

The applicants cite the Comprehensive Plan as reflecting the public’s desire for new residential units to be located in Lovingston. 

“Lovingston and the surrounding buildings are currently in a phase of revitalization and this project aligns perfectly with this goal,” reads the narrative from Alexandra and Jesse Lopez Low. 

There will also be a discussion of short-term rentals in light of new legislation that went into effect on December 31 that curtails the ability of localities to restrict them in certain situations. 

“You cannot require special use permits for a [short-term rental] operating as a homestay, meaning that someone is renting out a portion of their home as an STR,” reads a staff report. 

The document has several suggestions for how the county might proceed. 

One interesting item gleaned from the minutes. In September, the Board of Supervisors removed Supervisor Ernie Reed from his position on the Planning Commission and then rescinded that vote. The minutes of the September 25 PC meeting note the resignation of Planning Commissioner Chuck Amante who has protested Reed being the Supervisors’ appointee for more than a two-year period. 

Before you go: The time to write and research of this article is covered by paid subscribers to Charlottesville Community Engagement. In fact, this particular installment is from the October 21, 2024 Week Ahead edition of the newsletter.