Property request · conditional use permit
Benton M. Hayden: allow light industry (Northumberland Highway)
Planning Commission hearing (county’s record, Jan 15)Recommended · Jan 15
Board decides (county’s record, Feb 12, p. 24)Approved, 5-0 · Feb 12
A step the records show opens the record itself.
In plain words
Benton M. Hayden, owner, and Michael Bryant, applicant, asked for a Conditional Use Permit to allow light industry on property zoned A-1 (Agricultural), Agriculture, on Northumberland Highway.1 The property is shown as Tax Map Parcel # 9-(1)-23.1 At the Planning Commission meeting on January 15, 2026, Mr. Hayden said he wants to build a mulch yard selling wood mulch, crushed concrete and top soil.2 The Commission voted to recommend approval to the Board of Supervisors, and the motion passed.2 On February 12, 2026, the Board of Supervisors approved the permit with the suggested conditions by a vote of 5-0.3 At that hearing no comments were made, and the conditions include a sales office on the same parcel and lighting directed downward.4
Summarized from the county’s records, September 26.
Where each sentence comes from
- “Request by Benton M. Hayden, owner, and Michael Bryant, applicant for a Conditional Use Permit to allow light industry on property zoned A-1, Agriculture” … “The property is shown as Tax Map Parcel # 9-(1)-23”The matter as the records title it
- “he wants to construct a mulch yard to sell products, some of which he produces, such as wood mulch, crushed concrete and top soil” … “motion to recommend approval of the vacation home rental conditional use permit to the Board of Supervisors” … “The motion passed.”Jan 15, 2026 · Planning Commission · In the minutes
- “Motion to approve the Conditional Use Permit to allow light industry on property zoned A-1, Agriculture with the suggested conditions” … “Vote 5-0: yes, James M. Long, James W. Brann, Chip Williams, AC Fisher, Jr., Keith Harris; no, none.”Feb 12, 2026 · Board of Supervisors · Motion carried, 5-0
- “Public Hearing Open. No comments were made.” … “A sales office shall be located on the same parcel as the gravel, mulch, etc. for all retail transactions as shown on the site plan.” … “All lighting shall be non-reflective and directed downward”Request by Benton M. Hayden, owner, and Michael Bryant, applicant for a Conditio · full text
Written automatically from the county’s records. Each sentence has to quote the record it comes from, word for word, or it’s left out. The records have the final say.
The official wording
Request by Benton M. Hayden, owner, and Michael Bryant, applicant for a Conditional Use Permit to allow light industry on property zoned A-1, Agriculture. The property is shown as Tax Map Parcel # 9-(1)-23 and is located on Northumberland Highway.
Zoning districts here
A-1 · AgriculturalWhat the ordinance says it’s forHide
“This district covers the portions of the County which are occupied by various open uses, including farms, orchards, vineyards, forests, and parks. This district is established for the specific purpose of facilitating existing and future farming and forestry operations, conserving water and other natural resources, reducing soil erosion, protecting watersheds and reducing hazards from flood and fire. To ensure the success of the above goals, it is necessary to maintain as low a density of residential development as is reasonable. The character of this district should remain agricultural in nature, with residential, industry or small commercial business permitted only when it will benefit the immediate area without degrading the environment.”
Zoning Ordinance § 148-19
Words the law defines
Conditional use permit
Virginia law calls this a special exception, or special use permit:
“‘Special exception’ means a special use that is a use not permitted in a particular district except by a special use permit granted under the provisions of this chapter and any zoning ordinances adopted herewith.”
Code of Virginia § 15.2-2201, Chapter 22. Planning, Subdivision of Land and Zoning
What’s happened
- Thu12Feb
Board of Supervisors · a vote
ApprovedThe Board’s vote
Motion to approve the Conditional Use Permit to allow light industry on property zoned A-1, Agriculture with the suggested conditions. This motion is made in due consideration of the… Show allMotion to approve the Conditional Use Permit to allow light industry on property zoned A-1, Agriculture with the suggested conditions. This motion is made in due consideration of the administrative record before the body, including the planning commission’s deliberations and recommendation, the information received via the public hearing, including statements offered by staff, the applicant, and members of the public, the public health and safety, the general welfare of the community, public necessity, convenience, in the exercise of good zoning practices and the body’s legislative prerogative, and pursuant to the body’s statutory authority.
- Thu15Jan
Planning Commission · a vote
RecommendedBenton M. Hayden: allow light industry (Northumberland Highway)
Garland made a motion to recommend approval of the vacation home rental conditional use permit to the Board of Supervisors, adding that this motion is made in due consideration of the… Show allGarland made a motion to recommend approval of the vacation home rental conditional use permit to the Board of Supervisors, adding that this motion is made in due consideration of the administrative record before the body, including the planning commission’s deliberations and recommendation, the information received via the public hearing, including statements offered by staff, the applicant, and members of the public, the public health and safety, the general welfare of the community, public necessity, convenience, in the exercise of good zoning practices and the body’s legislative prerogative, and pursuant to the body’s statutory authority. Mr. O’Brien seconded Mr. Garland’s motion. The vote was as follows: Chris Cralle Aye Roger McKinley Aye Vivian Diggs Aye Patrick O’Brien Aye Allen Garland Aye Garfield Parker Aye John Kost Aye Heidi Wilkins-Corey Aye James Michel Aye Charles Williams Aye James Brann n/a The motion passed.
Moved by Garland · Not voting: Brann
Meeting by meeting, newest first, in the records’ own words. Each vote names the minutes it’s written in.
The records
Gathered from Northumberland County’s agendas, minutes and notices. Checked October 26.