The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on a rezoning request to allow the creation of a micro-resort, retreat center and event space during its regular meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
The request, submitted by resident Bethann James, pertains to about 16.5 acres across two parcels in the county’s Tunstall Election District. It proposes that the parcels be rezoned from a residential suburban subdivision designation to an agricultural designation, which would allow for a micro-resort.
A micro-resort is a small-scale and usually high-end lodging option using modular units, tiny homes or cabins, often in a natural setting.
The James family would like to create this kind of lodging for visitors in the region through a development called Echo Valley Micro-Resort.
Echo Valley would offer accommodations in canvas bell-tents, A-frame-style units and cabins, according to its website.
It would also include nature trails, host community events and provide space for guests to organize their own retreats.
“The comprehensive plan indicates the area is suitable for agricultural and rural residential uses,” according to a county notice about the public hearing. “Zoning conditions and ordinance standards shall control the density of allowable development.”
In October, the county planning commission recommended that the board of supervisors grant the rezoning request for this item, after residents spoke both in favor and against the project during a public hearing.
A member of the James family, Weston James, spoke during the planning commission meeting, saying that Echo Valley would be a net positive for the community.
“We’re not a conglomerate looking to suck money from the community,” he said. “We’re a family business looking to pour into the community, add on and make money, but also make the community great.”
The micro-resort hopes to attract “well-to-do people to stay and to hopefully massage and increase the economy and be able to spend their money on the things that are here in our community,” James said.
Other residents spoke against the project, with concerns about nearby property values and a lack of neighbor input.
There will be a public hearing at the Tuesday board of supervisors meeting, giving residents another opportunity to share their perspectives with county officials.
The board meeting will be preceded by a work session, starting at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Also this week in Pittsylvania County, the industrial development authority will meet at 6 p.m. Wednesday, and the community and policy management team will meet at 2 p.m. Thursday.
In Danville, the city council will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, followed by a work session, and the board of zoning appeals will meet at 10 a.m. Thursday.
