The commission first agreed that two motels (the first will be a Hampton Inn) and two restaurants would be preferable to an apartment complex on a five-acre parcel near 84-Lumber on Lover's Lane.

"The rezoning application brings this in compliance with the comprehensive plan we put in place less than a year ago," said Commissioner Ian Phillips.

The property is now zoned residential. Developers are asking that it become commercial.

Neighbors on Colonial Drive, almost directly across from the site, had argued at earlier meetings that they did not want to look out their doors and see a motel.

But project architect Dan Painter last night assured the commission that by lowering the site's elevation and constructing a 10-foot-high tree-topped berm, the four-story motel would barely be visible.

Jens Tholand, one of those who had earlier complained, said during a public hearing last night that neighbors had now concluded that the motel complex would be preferable to a housing development of any kind.

He warned that the commission should make certain that town water and sewer would be available before the county signed off on the project.

The Planning Commission also gave its blessing to Guinn's Crossing, an eight-acre project at the junction of Route 3, U.S. 522 and Lover's Lane.

Part of the old Claude Guinn homeplace, the land being developed by Dr. Khurram Rashid will include a motel, a gas station/convenience store, a bank, a restaurant and an office building when completed.

"This location is a natural for commercial use," attorney Butch Davies told the commission. He pointed out that Commonwealth Park (a horse show facility) is but a few miles down U.S. 522, which is also much used by Lake Anna traffic.

Davies said that, as part of the proffers, the roofs of all the buildings, even the gas pump canopies, will be either hip or gabled so as to be aesthetically pleasing when viewed from the new Library of Congress Audio Visual Center located atop Mount Pony just to the east.

Rezoning from residential to commercial is being requested.

During a public hearing Tholand asked, "Just how many motels can a growing Culpeper sustain?"

One neighbor, however, applauded the proposed commercial development. "I'm excited! I can't wait," she said.

Perry Cabot, representing Concerned Culpeper Citizens, spoke in favor of the plan. "This is a premier low intensity project that will provide an absolute minimum visual impact from the Audio Visual Center.".

County Planner John Egerston said that those issues would be addressed when a site plan is presented.

Guinn's Crossing also will be served by town water and sewer.

Both projects, unanimously approved for recommendation, will go before the Board of Supervisors in December.

To reach DONNIE JOHNSTON:
Email: djohnston@freelancestar.com