Bedford Supervisors to consider many changes to Future Land Use Map; Public in Powhatan to weigh-in on cameras on bus stop arms
A slow week due to the geometry of the municipal calendar
This week is a bit of an odd one as it begins on the fourth Monday of November and then there are a couple of fifth days and no one holds regular meetings on that kind of a day. That means I only see meetings in Bedford and Powhatan this week. What else have I missed?
The extra time I have this week means I’ll add a little bit of additional information as I try to figure out who is running for office next year. That post will come later in the week. I am not certain how much coverage of local elections I will be able to do, but I want to know who’s running as I prepare for years more of doing this coverage.
Bedford Supervisors to meet with PC on fees, Future Land Use Map changes, short-term rental ordinance changes
The seven-member Bedford County Board of Supervisors meets Monday at 5 p.m. for a work session in the Ground Floor Training Room in the county office building at 122 East Main Street in Bedford followed by a regular meeting in the regular board room. (meeting info page)
Bedford County is one of two localities in the Fifth District that is split across boundary lines, with Hanover County being the other. For the purposes of this newsletter, both localities are treated as if they are completely within the district.
The work session is a joint event with the Planning Commission. They will review fee changes for the Department of Community Development, a discussion of the short term rental ordinance, a review of cash proffers and road impacts, a look at permitted uses in the Agricultural Village Center (AV) zoning district, and a discussion on the Comprehensive Plan’s Land Use Chapter. Specifically, the Future Land Use Map.
Many localities across the Fifth District continue to fine tune regulations related to short-term rentals. Bedford Supervisors will review a current set of changes.
Any property owners on a private sewer system will have to show evidence of a pump-out before getting a permit.
Maximum number of adult occupants will increase from two to three per bedroom with additional guests only being allowed per square foot.
Property owners must comply with fire protection ordinances and provide fire extinguishers and smoke detectors.
All short-term rental permits would need to updated every three years.
Property owners who have had three or more violations for a specific property would be prohibited for further rentals for at least two years.
However, public review received so far call for the maximum number of guests to be capped at two per bedroom.
The two bodies will also take up potential adoption of cash proffers or impact fees for residential development to help cover the cost of providing new services. Chesterfield County instituted a “road cash proffer policy” in late September 2016. Stafford County implemented a “transportation impact fee policy” in May 2014. This could be a valuable work session to watch for any locality who seek new sources of revenue to pay for road construction.
The potential amendments to the Future Land Use Map include an expansion of industrial areas in Big Island along the James River, a reduction of land for mixed-use development along U.S. 501 in Boonsboro, and more clear delineations of uses in the Forest, Gladden Circle, and Waterlick areas. These latter changes appear to be downzoning several portions that had been slated for higher-intense uses.
One significant change is at Smith Mountain Lake. Currently the Future Land Use Map for Mariner’s Landing is all designated as residential. Much of this would be changed for commercial or mixed use.
The regular meeting begins at 7 p.m. (meeting info)
There are two land use public hearings for two required special use permits for a campground.
The first is for 109 sites for recreational vehicles, a pool, a recreational center, and stacked boat storage at the existing Halesford Harbor Campground. The second is for 132 recreational vehicle sites, a pool, a check-in office, a playground, a bathhouse, a splashpad, a boat landing, stacked boat shortage, and a beach area. The Planning Commission recommended both on unanimous votes.
Other items of note:
EcoFriendly Foods is seeking the county’s support for an Agricultural and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) grant to expand operations at its plant in Moneta. The total cost of the request is $64,500 with a local match of $21,500 requested of Bedford County. This is on the consent agenda.
Tourism Director Nicole Johnson will present a potential spending plan for the county’s share of tourism-related American Rescue Plan Act funding.
Powhatan Supervisors to hold five public hearings including FY23 budget amendment for schools
The five-member Powhatan Board of Supervisors will meet at 6:30 p.m. (meeting packet)
After the usual start to the meeting, Supervisors will be introduced to the new director of parks and recreation.
There are five public hearings.
Powhatan County seeks to renew a lease for a portion of the Village Building to the Goochland-Powhatan Community Services Board at 3910 Old Buckingham Road. The rent is $73,642.35 a year.
Powhatan County seeks to convey a portion of right of way on county-owned land for an easement for the South Side Electrical Cooperative.
The county budget for the current fiscal year is being amended to to involve several transactions related to the school system.
Powhatan County seeks to enter into a contract with a vendor to install and operate a video-monitoring system on school buses to catch people who unlawfully ignore stop signs on buses. Here’s the section of state law that allows this.
Soil Solutions seeks a conditional use permit to operate a wood and stump recycling business in an agricultural district.
The packet includes the minutes from the September 26, 2022 meeting after which former county administrator Ned Smither was almost fired for violating county personnel policy but the motion failed. On October 11, Smithers resigned after a 4-1 vote requesting that action.
