Store permit approved

Published 10:12 am Thursday, August 17, 2017

The Cumberland County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a conditional use permit (CUP) for a proposed general store for Amish patrons and a lease for the Cartersville Volunteer Fire Department to operate a lunch-style food establishment at the Cumberland Ballpark Concession building following two public hearings during its Aug. 8 meeting.

The resident who proposed the store — Benjamin Lapp — attended the meeting. There was no public comment.

The CUP for the store was recommended for approval by the planning commission July 24.

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The Lapp Store would be located on 25.38 acres at the southwestern quadrant of Plank and Airport roads.

Lapp said during the planning commission meeting that the store would be primarily operated by and would sell produce for the Amish, though the store and its produce are welcome to everyone.

Baked goods and bulk products could be sold in the store.

According to county records, Lapp has met with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to discuss the building process and hired an engineering firm, Maxey & Associates P.C. to address VDOT, the Health Department and county requirements due to the proposed size of the property.

During the meeting, District Two Supervisor Lloyd Banks asked about the store’s operating hours.

Planning and Zoning Director Sara Carter said while the store’s hours of operation were discussed during the planning commission meeting, no set hours were offered.

Banks said he had noticed at other businesses there had been set limits for operational hours, but not for Lapp Store. He said while he appreciated the gesture to the store not receiving certain limitations, he asked that there would be more consistency in what companies receive set hours.

The board voted unanimously to approve the store permit following the public hearing.

The board also voted unanimously to lease of the Cumberland Ballpark concession stand for members of the Cartersville Volunteer Fire Department to continue to run a fast-food style establishment that would raise funds.

The funds, according to County Administrator Vivian Seay Giles, would return to the community, particularly the Cumberland Youth League.