Public hearing to be set for meals tax increase in Amherst; Halifax amending short-term rental rules
The first of three editions for what's happening on September 5 in local government across the Fifth District
Because of Labor Day, all of the meetings that would have been held on a Monday are now being held on a Tuesday. All of the meetings that are usually held on a Tuesday will remain in place. While this may be confusing, the purpose of Fifth District Community Engagement is to try to make the information about local government more clear.
This is now the 150th edition and I am going to continue this work. Every week I learn something new, and I chose journalism as a profession because I always want to know more about what is happening. I’m grateful to be able to share this work with you thanks to my Patreon supporters.
With so many meetings on Tuesday, I’m splitting them up over the next three days. So today we’ve got Amherst County and Halifax County. In the weeks to come I’ll be writing about local races this November and behind the scenes I’m updating my records. I can tell you there are no contested races for the Amherst Board of Supervisors this year, and I’ll report on the rest of the races in a future edition.
In this edition:
Localities all across the Fifth District are amending their short term rental policies in response to input from neighbors and other stakeholders. Halifax County Supervisors will consider some amendments on Tuesday.
Amherst County does not need to build a new pump station at this time so a project is being postponed. Supervisors will get an update on that and get an update on efforts to beautify major roadways in the county, and will vote to set a public hearing for a meals tax increase to complete financing for renovations to Amherst High School.
Other articles from Amherst County and Halifax County from other reporters as I seek to make reading material more germane to whatever Fifth District locality is in a particular edition.
Halifax Supervisors to consider changes to short-term rentals, Apex Clean Energy request for extension of deadline
The eight-member Board of Supervisors in Halifax County meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the County Administration Building at 1050 Mary Bethune Street in Halifax. They usually meet on a Monday. (meeting packet)
One of the first items on the agenda is a request from Supervisor William Bryant Claiborne to participate at the meeting remotely due to medical reasons. That takes a vote by the rest of his colleagues. Claiborne has represented District 8 since 2003. He is the only candidate in the ballot in the November 7 election.
There will be a proclamation of September 17 through September 23 as Constitution Week.
“The United States Constitution stands as a testament to the tenacity of Americans throughout history to maintain their liberties, freedoms, and inalienable rights,” reads the staff report. (page 47)
September 17 is the 236th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution.
Among the items on the agenda is a public hearing on amendments to the budget for fiscal year 2024. This is to add $20 million that will come through a grant from the Virginia School Construction Assistance Program to the School Board. That would bring the total FY24 budget to $264,599,856.60.
The Police Athletic League will make a presentation. There’s no advance material but here’s an interesting national resource to take a look at for those who might be interested.
There are four items under other business.
The first is consideration of the Planning Commission’s recommendations related to short-term rentals. Here are some of the changes:
The phrase “tourism cabin” has been eliminated from the definition of “dwelling”
The phrase “tourism home” has been changed to “short term rental” in the definition of “family”
Short term rental now has its own definition that clarifies that a primary use for any structure must be residential
Anyone looking to offer short-term rentals must register with the Zoning Administrator and get a business license from the county.
A property management plan must be submitted to the county
The second is a request from Apex Clean Energy to extend the deadline for Apex Clean Energy to begin work on three on three facilities. These are governed by conditional use permits and Apex wants the new deadline to be August 4, 2027. Their letter cites rules granting flexibility to developers due to COVID, but states the main hold-up is getting permission from Dominion to interconnect to their network.
The third item relates to agreements with the U.S. Marine Corps for the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit to hold exercises at the county fairgrounds, airport, and transfer station. This has been done in the past.
The fourth item is a resolution to extend the county’s participation in the Virginia Juvenile Community Crime Control Act.
There are two items under unfinished business. The first is related to funding for a community event for Social Services on September 23. District 3 Supervisor Hubert Parnell has requested county funds for the event which is described in the staff report as “a community gathering with food trucks, and activities for children.”
The second item is a general update on recent inquiries from Board members or citizens. This includes a status update on previous requests begins on page 111 of the packet. This is a really interesting read.
There’s also an update on the Blue Ridge Rock Festival that will be held at the Virginia International Raceway from September 7 through September 10 with load-in beginning on the day of this meeting.
“A minimum of 13 different plans and statements are a required part of the application and require approval of the responsible agency prior to County Administrator final approval,” reads the staff report on page 118.
No pump station required in Amherst County; Supervisors to learn of U.S. 29 beautification
The five-member Board of Supervisors in Amherst County will meet at 3 p.m. in the administration building at 153 Washington Street in the Public Meeting Room. They usually meet on Tuesdays. (meeting information)
After the usual items that begin a meeting such as the invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and citizen comment, there will be a first reading of a resolution to set a public hearing to increase the meals tax. Proceeds would go to pay for a cost overrun for the project to renovate Amherst High School. The tax would increase from four percent to six percent. (staff report)
Then there will be a special presentation on an award the Virginia Association of Counties (VACO) has made to the Route 29 Business Beautification Committee. That entity was created in 2016 to advise the Planning Commission on making the county’s roadways more attractive.
“Since the creation of the committee, partnerships between numerous organizations have been created to advocate for the revitalization and upkeep of the Route 29 Business corridor,” reads the award. “These partnerships have led to supplementary landscaping, blight removal, coordination efforts between local, state, and private entities, and incentive programs for businesses.”
Commercial activity on U.S. 29 business stagnated after the opening of the U.S. 29 bypass in 2004. The committee was seen as a way of assisting with the transformation of streets that developed in the 20th century.
“Route 29 Business in Amherst County developed and saw an increase in economic
activity in the post-World War II era,” reads the county’s application for the award. “Zoning requirements such as setbacks, landscaping, sign regulations, and ingress/egress requirements were not enforceable. The business corridor for lack of better terms was the Wild West and unplanned.”
One of the programs of the committee is a mini-grant program for projects to upgrade the look of the roadway and buildings along the way. These have included tree plantings, banners, sign removal, and more. (learn more in the application)
Under new business, the Amherst County Service Authority has voted to postpone a project to build a new raw water pump station on the James River.
“In a meeting with the [Virginia Department of Environmental Quality], it was determined that such a station was authorized but not a requirement,” reads the staff report.
A slide in the presentation states that “DEQ would rather we not disturb James River if not needed.”
Finally before reports, there will be a discussion and potential vote on an additional $17,092.44 in funds needed for janitorial services.
Reading material:
Report: Amherst senior centers more active, Mill Creek Lake Park sees uptick in use, Justin Faulconer, Amherst New Era-Progress, News & Advance (paywall), August 23, 2023
Editorial: High school renovation will serve future generations, Amherst community, Dr. William Wells, Amherst County Schools Superintendent, Lynchburg News & Advance (paywall), August 23, 2023
Amherst School Board set to discuss K-12 transgender policies at Sept.14 meeting, Justin Faulconer, Lynchburg News & Advance (paywall), August 30, 2023
Public hearing on proposed Amherst County meals tax increase set for Sept. 19, Justin Faulconer, Lynchburg News & Advance (paywall), August 30, 2023
Blue Ridge festival rocks on — for now, Beth Jojack, Virginia Business (paywall), August 30, 3023
What to expect from F151 and beyond!
What meetings remain this week? Well, on Tuesday there will be meetings of the Charlottesville City Council, Danville City Council, Pittsylvania County Supervisors, Campbell County Supervisors, and Goochland County Supervisors.
On Wednesday, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors and the Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors will meet. Keep reading, and you’ll know as much as I do about what’s coming up.