Bedford Supervisors to consider 42-unit townhouse development in Forest; Powhatan Supervisors to consider letter to DEQ opposing Green Ridge facility
The first of at least three newsletters with information about the local governments in Virginia's Fifth District
Two localities have meetings today, and I’m slightly behind in getting this experimental newsletter out there. This is my favorite part of my current work at Town Crier Productions. I love learning about how other communities do things after spending so much time just writing about a couple of places. This will help me be a better journalist and allow me to ask tougher questions in the future.
Interested in seeing this work continue? Consider pledging a paid subscription through Substack or sign up now through Patreon. Which is better? Not sure. I mostly just want to always get to work writing and trying to build up a body of work.
Bedford County to consider EMS recovery feeds, special use permit for 42 townhomes in Forest
The seven members of the Bedford County Board of Supervisors meet at 5 p.m. for a regular work session followed by a regular meeting at 7 p.m. (meeting info)
Before we get into this meeting, know that Supervisors will meet every Monday in March to add budget work sessions.
This regular work session has two items. One is an update from RiverStreet Network on their broadband project. The other is a report from Davenport & Company LLC on the multi-year Capital Improvement Funding Plan. There’s no material for either on the meeting page.
There is one public hearing in the evening session. A land owner seeks a special use permit to build 42 townhouse units on about a quarter acre of undeveloped land on Corporate Park Drive in Election District #4. Nearby are several parcels with active commercial or industrial activities upon them. Such a permit is required on land zoned Planned Commercial Development.
There are three action items.
The first is a resolution approving changes to the recovery rate charged for Emergency Medical Services. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services release a schedule of allowable fees and staff are recommending the county adopt the 150 percent recovery rate.
“The proposed rates will allow Bedford County to optimize revenues generated by patient care transports,” reads the staff report. “As these rates increase, EMSMC recommends that we bill at 150% above the 2023 allowable fee schedule to capture charges from private and commercial insurance carriers. Private and Commercial Insurance carriers pay a higher rate for service than Medicare.”
The second is an appropriation of nearly $2.12 million to the School Maintenance Fund from carryover from Bedford County Schools from FY22.
“This carryover balance was higher than normal due to reduced spending because of COVID restrictions, increased sales tax funding from the state, and coronavirus funding from the CARES Act and Coronavirus Relief Fund,” reads the staff report.
The third is a resolution accepting an initial donation of $100,000 from the estate of Nancy K. Newman for the Bedford County Animal Shelter. Further ones will be distributed over time.
There are three items on the consent agenda:
Supervisors will formally accept an award of $10,000 from the Boardman Family Foundation for the purchase of four video laryngoscopes to make emergency intubations easier and to improve outcomes for patients. The full cost is $12,034.92 with the rest coming from a fire and rescue contingency fund.
Supervisors will be asked to sign on to a regional grant application for the purchase of two simulators for driver training. Bedford is joining Amherst County, Campbell County, and the City of Lynchburg.
Supervisors will appropriate several grants awarded to the Bedford County school system totalling nearly $1.4 million.
Powhatan Supervisors to consider letter formally opposing a variance for Greene Ridge solid waste facility
The five-member Board of Supervisors in Powhatan County will meet at 6:30 p.m. tonight in the Village Building. (meeting portal)
After the Call to Order, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the Invocation, Supervisors will get an update on accomplishments in 2022 from the county administrator’s office. The occupant of that office resigned last October after allegations of breaking the county’s personnel policies. Bret Schardein is the interim county administrator.
Other than that, the county hired 45 new people to Team Powhatan including a new parks and recreation director. Ten public projects were completed and four projects were installed. Two public works projects were kicked off. Seven athletic tournaments were hosted.
Supervisors will get an update on the Firefly Broadband project funded through the Virginia Telecommunications Initiative. There will also be a report on the assessments for 2023.
Under old business, Supervisors will revisit an amendment to the zoning ordinance as it pertains to the Village Growth Area Districts. This would create a new zoning district called Planned Development District (PDD).
“The new district will also feature regulations governing the creation of a master plan that outlines the overall development of the submission for rezoning to the Planned Development District,” reads the staff report.
The new district is intended to allow the county a way to maximize land development to enhance economic opportunity.
“This amendment creates a flexible zoning district where some of the specifics often dictated in a zoning district are instead stated in the planned development master plan, similar to some of the existing PD districts,” the report continues.
They’ll also review a letter to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality regarding the Green Ridge Recycling and Disposal Facility being considered in Cumberland County. The county has been asked to send a letter opposing a variance required for that use to proceed. Supervisors considered the letter on January 23 but opted not to send it.
“The citizens of Powhatan County are adamantly opposed to the development of Green Ridge Landfill for multiple reasons,” reads the draft letter. “However, it has come to our attention that numerous elements of the Green Ridge Landfill application were incorrect. These discrepancies should disqualify Green Ridge’s application.”
There is one public hearing on an amendment to the animal control ordinance pertaining to animals running at large. This would bring county code consistent with state law.
Reading material:
Leah Puryear selected to fill vacant Charlottesville City Council seat in unanimous vote, Grace Thrush, Cavalier Daily, February 21, 2023
‘The stupidest person on earth’: Lynchburg City Council’s new Republican majority ruptured by in-fighting, Dwayne Yancey, Cardinal News, February 21, 2023
Jeff Watts seeks Supervisor seat in Lunenburg County, Crystal Vandergrift, Kenbridge-Victoria Dispatch, February 21, 2023
Fox announces run for Chatham-Blairs seat, Chatham Star-Tribune, February 22, 2023
Faraldi files petition for referendum on elected school boards, Bryson Gordon, Lynchburg News & Advance, February 22, 2023
Bedford County School Board discusses budget, capital projects, Shannon Kelly, Lynchburg News & Advance, February 22, 2023
Congressman Good tours future vocational school site at Carver-Price Center in Appomattox, Charles Conrad, Appomattox Times-Virginian, February 22, 2023
VDOT presents data on crashes, traffic patterns on VA 151 for study, Emma Martin, Nelson County Times, February 22, 2023