[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6281973,"mediaKeyId","2599983-b5aa8e9f707007f7b51965009b6643f3","parentId",2599983,"title","Planning commission reviews zoning-ordinance rewrite work plan and project updates; committee deadlines set","audioSeconds",462,"startMs",360665,"endMs",823095,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2599983-b5aa8e9f707007f7b51965009b6643f3&start=360&end=823","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2599983-b5aa8e9f707007f7b51965009b6643f3/thumbnail_360665.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6281973/Orange-County/Virginia/Planning-commission-reviews-zoning-ordinance-rewrite-work-plan-and-project-updates-committee-deadlines-set","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6281973-4b2c19587b12a12ab0ebf83a4ae8d268/orig.mp4?Expires=1770650571&Signature=EvzQr326MJ6~B9OqXEfWs3GaMwii9Za-RWlJfsb8Z4YRseXrATfMrA01n2ZyMjlo~FrQsPlyg4ZT3DLbsoTu~bwycD5J8m0p~T~Z~Gh-~Efn8s9taBJkgdFImUc8EtmfIaSpP5vQMOf-cDqH1m6M0yEsn4A1A-fIRPxOfm8VboSM01uB7Nk1mkj19N8-b9wm6zcvYyKUNxWl9gZdPRajRC9hhNpbbOIAtOto0AqQI8~lEyKra~MyxxQAXut8I~o~8IV1zZ-27vAbJEvXINsVenCsiuV6D~b-wwjlLTseri9CKnKV6n3S3z-sgQ4Qtof5PwiVrCxZWr0k79gsRBk4eQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Orange County, VA","date","2025-01-02T00:00:00Z","article","The Orange County Planning Commission used its organizational meeting to check progress on a zoning-ordinance rewrite and to hear updates on ongoing planning projects, with staff and commissioners agreeing on a schedule for committee drafts and further review.

Commission staff member Josh briefed the commission on multiple active matters, including a rezoning application (23-04) that was submitted over a year ago but placed on hold while a separate Section 14 map amendment moved forward. Josh told the commission that the applicant had asked to delay, and that “they had not indicated to me that we're gonna pick it back up,” although one commissioner later reported the applicant has continued discussions with staff and plans to return the proposal in the future.

The commission discussed several pending applications and planning items: Wilderness Shores (still at ARC), Unionville Brewing (ARC comments received mid-December; expected to take longer), a fiber-utility hub and a pending special-use-permit (SUP) application that staff expects could come before the commission in February.

The bulk of the meeting’s policy discussion centered on draft text for a proposed “rural service” or “rural residential” district as part of the zoning update. Committee members reported differing approaches: some recommended adapting existing zoning districts — R-1 (residential) and C-1 (neighborhood commercial) — rather than creating an entirely new district; others flagged that the purpose for a new district would be to regularize existing nonconforming uses (for example, small gas stations or neighborhood businesses now operating under SUPs in agricultural zones). The commission discussed whether to (a) create a new district and rezone properties now as part of the update, or (b) insert text options into the ordinance and rezone properties only when an owner sought change.

Josh explained the implementation constraints: “It would have to be rezoned,” he said, describing the limits of an ordinance change alone. He added that the SUP process and the zoning map are separate actions and that the commission could choose to rezone properties as part of the update or wait for property owners to apply for rezoning later.

Committee process and schedule were underscored repeatedly: committee drafts should be sent to reviewers by Jan. 16, reviewers will return comments, and unresolved comments will be discussed at the Feb. 6 meeting. The commission chair told members the committee “owns the document,” and urged them to get issues on paper for reviewers to evaluate.

Why it matters: The commission’s decisions about whether to create a new rural service district or to adjust existing districts will affect the regulatory status of small, existing businesses in agricultural or rural areas and influence whether property owners must seek rezoning or SUPs to secure longer-term development rights.

Other practical updates included a developer’s pause on a proposed Lands-in project after county reviewers told the applicant that proposed densities would require a community wastewater system and community water system — a cost that the developer said made the plan infeasible and prompted exploration of alternate approaches. Staff and commissioners said they would try to avoid duplicative drafts from consultants and requested more visibility on draft deliverables so the commission can comment before final documents are issued.

The commission closed the discussion by affirming the January and February deadlines for drafts and review and by asking staff and committee chairs to coordinate with applicants and consultants to clarify goals for any new district language.

Planned next steps: committee members to submit drafts to reviewers by Jan. 16; the commission to review comments and resolve outstanding issues at its Feb. 6 meeting; staff to coordinate better visibility on consultant drafts.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Orange County Planning Commission Regular Meeting - January 02, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners reviewed status updates on current planning projects and debated whether to create a new rural service district or revise existing R-1/C-1 districts; staff and committees were given deadlines to submit draft language for reviewer comments.","taxTitle","Orange County, Virginia","taxId",52350,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6281977,"Orange County planning commission elects officers, adopts regular meeting schedule",1968,2801,1971101,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2599983-b5aa8e9f707007f7b51965009b6643f3&start=2&end=1971","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2599983-b5aa8e9f707007f7b51965009b6643f3/thumbnail_2801.jpg","/articles/6281977/Orange-County/Virginia/Orange-County-planning-commission-elects-officers-adopts-regular-meeting-schedule","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6281977-49d2e023770ea320d13368c611b6b130/orig.mp4?Expires=1770650571&Signature=YQgfihIdy7E1vfUNqvocwtlvKOsEmlRanFfmSBrMwgIXWu1wKcuMDdTNt3EN-nZwK0ChecVaY1eYv6MBUvn8DLyAdOsx0rLVaNNZVfSpZ2GIMD7nYNEdtfLE6ArGE6rzO78gO2jIgijQRCC3jPMBvuzqEv~I63ZY2PJOp1xeVZToyIs~cSQY8ECxVBKzirXypBb6UA1W8Fp-HtTFEXWELGe3WNFLDJ8501XAbnijrGyfFpHi8Garnkn4BbaZWsC2b9Rv39hAqiI3UcpUssx9fCmw1aiE6h2Fzw20zxVPUhoIU-9nKnQzEF9mqRZEtfVNWcqwLa6F8OgA5Ii2Scc-ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Orange County Planning Commission elected Jason chairman, chose Adam Brockington as vice chairman and appointed Susan Crosby as secretary at its organizational meeting, and adopted a regular meeting schedule and the meeting agenda.

The changes came during the commission’s opening organizational item, when Susan Crosby opened nominations: “I will open the floor to nominations for chairman,” she said. Jason was nominated and, following a motion and second, was approved by the members present.

The commission adopted a regular meeting schedule that will meet on the first Thursday of each month with the third Thursday reserved as needed. Commissioners also approved the meeting agenda and adopted the minutes of the Dec. 5 meeting. No members of the public spoke during the public-comment period.

Why it matters: The organizational votes set officer roles and a schedule that will govern the commission’s workflow for the year and set deadlines and expectations for the zoning-ordinance rewrite and other planning work assigned to committees.

During the roll call for organizational business, commissioners moved quickly through routine housekeeping items. After nominations and votes, Jason, newly elected chairman, thanked the commission: “Thank you. Appreciate it. All of you. I really do.” The commission accepted a motion to adopt the proposed calendar as presented in the meeting packet and approved the Dec. 5 minutes as presented. Public comment was opened briefly; no one signed up to speak.

The meeting closed with an adjournment motion that passed by voice vote. The commission set Feb. 6 as its next regular meeting and directed committee members to submit draft materials to reviewers by Jan. 16 as part of the ongoing zoning-ordinance update process.

Votes at a glance

- Election of chairman: Jason — nominated and approved by voice vote; one abstention was recorded during the roll call (name not specified in the record). Outcome: approved.
- Election of vice chairman: Adam Brockington — nominated and seconded and approved by voice vote; one abstention was recorded (name not specified). Outcome: approved.
- Appointment of secretary: Susan Crosby — motion, second and voice approval; no opposition recorded. Outcome: approved.
- Adoption of regular meeting schedule: motion and second to adopt the calendar as presented; approved by voice vote. Outcome: approved.
- Approval of agenda: motion and second to approve as presented; approved by voice vote. Outcome: approved.
- Approval of minutes (Dec. 5): motion by a commissioner and second; approved by voice vote. Outcome: approved.
- Adjournment: motion and second; approved by voice vote. Outcome: approved.

All of the formal actions above were passed by voice votes; the transcript records at least two abstentions during officer elections but does not identify by name which members abstained.","At an organizational meeting, the Orange County Planning Commission elected a chairman, vice chairman and secretary, adopted a regular meeting schedule, approved the agenda and minutes, and closed public comment.","actionData","errors"]

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Planning commission reviews zoning-ordinance rewrite work plan and project updates; committee deadlines set

Orange County planning commission elects officers, adopts regular meeting schedule