ISLE OF WIGHT—The Isle of Wight County Planning Commission gave preliminary approval to allow the Franklin Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4411 to open a meeting and events facility at a former church on Beaverdam Road in Carrsville.

The Board of Supervisors will be asked to approve what’s known as a conditional use permit during its 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, meeting at the courthouse. The building is in an area zoned for farming and homes, but with permission from the county, a club can be operated there.

For approval, the VFW will need documentation showing the sewer system is adequate for the vacant church and former Moose lodge at 3385 Beaverdam Road, said County Planning and Zoning Director Matt Smolnik.

The VFW may have to widen the entrances to fall in line with Virginia Department of Transportation requirements.

VFW Post 4411 Commander Matt Bernocco said the new space is needed because of anticipated growth with wars in Iraq and Afghanistan coming to an end.

“It gives us an opportunity to grow,” Bernocco said. “In a place like that we’ll be able to open the doors to other organizations.”

The City of Franklin owns the VFW’s building at the Franklin Municipal Airport.

“We have no plans to vacate that building,” Bernocco said.

Work on the new building could take 12 to 18 months.