Editor:

The Prince Edward County Planning Commission met Feb. 21 to get input from the public, the Par 3 Development firm and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) concerning the proposal to build a Dollar General on the southwest corner of Route 460 and Rice’s Depot Road. The commissioners listened and then discussed and voted on what recommendation to make to the county board of supervisors. 

I attended the meeting and was impressed with the planning commission’s commitment to ask searching questions.

Commission Chairman John Townsend noted the proposed development seemed to meet all county’s comprehensive plan economic development goals for the Rice area, but agreed with the public’s input that the proposed site is a complicated and dangerous intersection even without the addition of a Dollar General. 

Six out of eight commissioners voted not to recommend approval of the special use permit. However, the board of supervisors can refuse to accept the commission’s recommendation and allow Par 3 to build at this location.

I hope anyone concerned about safety at this intersection will join me to speak at the board of supervisor’s meeting on March 14 at 7 p.m. at the Prince Edward County Courthouse in Farmville.

Robin Buckalew

Rice