Greg Granger has the permission he needs from James City County to reopen a small barber shop in Grove, but not until he can secure a place for customers to park.
The county’s board of supervisors voted 4-0 Tuesday to authorize him to renovate and reopen the Grove Community Barber Shop, located at 104 Howard Drive. The shop’s small building is located on a tiny parcel of land, erasing any possibility of having the seven parking spaces required by the county’s zoning ordinance for a two-chair barber shop.
The James City County Board of Supervisors watches as a citizen speaks during public comment at a board meeting in January. (Gregory Connolly/WYDaily)
He tried to work out a deal for shared parking with the Old Capital Lodge across Howard Drive from the shop, but those talks were unsuccessful. Another potential site for the parking spaces has since emerged two doors down from the barber shop at 115 Howard Drive, though that deal has not yet been finalized.
Once the deal is in place, Granger can open. He wants to renovate the small barber shop, but he must keep the existing foundation and walls of the building in place, as no substantial redevelopment of the property is possible as any new construction would be too close to Pocahontas Trail and Howard Drive.
Prior to the board’s vote, Planning Commissioner John Wright appeared before the board. The commission voted 7-0 in November to recommend the supervisors issue the permit to Granger that would allow him to re-open the store.
“A community barber shop is needed to serve the Grove community,” he said. “It would not cause any significant increase in traffic and it’s accessible from [Pocahontas Trail] and Howard Drive.”
Once renovations are complete, the shop will feature two seats and up to two employees. One handicapped parking space will be located in a gravel lot behind the building.