Surry County Approves Spratley Mill Housing Development

Surry County Approves Spratley Mill Housing Development Amid New Legislation

Surry County has officially approved a plan to construct 25 houses on the Spratley Mill site, following a recent change in state legislation that has altered the process for subdivision approvals. The administrative decision was made by county staff, reflecting new guidelines effective July 1. This legislation, signed into law by Governor Glenn Youngkin, eliminates the previous authority held by the Planning Commission regarding subdivision applications.

Emerson Ventures LLC, based in Chesterfield County, has proposed the development in collaboration with local landowners Ellen and Damien Mauger. Originally, the development’s preliminary subdivision plat submitted in May aimed to divide just over 97 acres into 32 lots. However, a revised proposal came before county officials, focusing on a lower-density concept that further developed the plan to encompass 212 acres divided into 25 lots.

The application for the revised proposal was set for a Planning Commission vote on July 28; however, it was withdrawn shortly before the meeting. The adjustment in the approval process is noteworthy, as the county’s Community Development and Planning Director, Horace Wade, mentioned that the new law designates the county as the approval agency. With this change, there is expected to be a more streamlined process for housing developments like Spratley Mill.

Legislative Changes and Approval Process

The changes brought about by Senate Bill 974 allow for expedited subdivision approvals, providing the designated agent—now the county—to authorize developments directly. This bill received bipartisan support in Virginia’s legislature, passing the Senate 35-5 and the House of Delegates 89-8. The Board of Supervisors of Surry County appointed Wade as the designated agent for approvals related to plans and site developments on July 31, optimizing the procedure for developers.

It is noteworthy that the Spratley Mill development is categorized as a “by-right” use under existing land use regulations. This means that it does not need to go through the additional steps of rezoning or obtaining a special use permit. The current zoning for the Spratley Mill site is agricultural-rural, allowing for a maximum of 15 lots that are less than 3 acres in size. Despite this regulation, only four of the proposed lots will be smaller than 3 acres each.

Local Context and Historical Trends

Surry County, presently home to approximately 6,500 residents, is aiming for a population growth of at least 1% annually as outlined in the 2020 Comprehensive Plan. This plan has designated suitable areas for residential development along Route 31 to accommodate anticipated growth. In contrast, Surry’s neighboring Isle of Wight County has seen a significant increase of approximately 6% in population since the last census, now surpassing 40,000 residents.

The historical context of housing development in Surry reveals a relatively stagnant growth pattern. Between 2000 and 2010, 674 housing units were constructed, but only about 23 building permits were issued annually from 2010 to 2016. According to local records, the Spratley Mill development represents the first residential subdivision proposal to reach the Planning Commission for consideration in the county’s recent history.

As the approval process becomes more efficient under the new legislation, developments like Spratley Mill may serve as a model for future housing projects in the county, which has seen minimal new residential challenges until now. Additionally, the recent legislative changes are expected to enable quicker responses to housing proposals, potentially benefiting community growth in the long term.