[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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",6124011,"mediaKeyId","2686766-abfe320ccf275f47984b17fa369359f5","parentId",2686766,"title","Board approves five rezoning petitions 7-0; details and locations listed","audioSeconds",692,"startMs",6248000,"endMs",6940000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2686766-abfe320ccf275f47984b17fa369359f5&start=6248&end=6940","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2686766-abfe320ccf275f47984b17fa369359f5/thumbnail_6248000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6124011/Pittsylvania-County/Virginia/Board-approves-five-rezoning-petitions-7-0-details-and-locations-listed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124011-12c9ceec5c35f3c2c0a18a2743076b09/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138649&Signature=Mo8g1puKLblHsFGR9Bn8WaWL1bmfuFj5qF4xTM5v90CLEYPwP~xb9qKWz96ZKStoL9bsRbnIWx~GJCMTmkPgTyrKIbe~GZXmpM5T1mhtOBjtpm2YlMAGzrPk9t2vGTATbco-aOAvsENYsyCIaFmxbHdbn~-bFPfU2qZB2f39q8a2zY0ZlzYXf9zbbOI1KqfLFq5wuMjjAoGdw-zsGdVB8kuTyb88ZuUIVq1ViUINWQbTV8WYq6fSHcvY~Peq6z25TLJWNmV7UwObOZvA5Lb3L9Z3lGMbT1w2VJwLox6fowF3qY160ADCt-47ujZ92IBgxtTqUrdRk~kHZOMYAHw8lg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pittsylvania County, VA","date","2025-03-18T12:26:40Z","article","The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously (7-0) on March 18 to approve a set of rezoning petitions the planning commission had recommended for approval.

The board approved the following petitions by roll call (motions and seconds recorded in the meeting packet and summarized below):

- Case R-25-005 (Kelly Crogman): Rezoning of 10.733 acres on State Road 921 (Martin Road) in the Collins Grant election district from R-1 (Residential Suburban Subdivision) to A-1 (Agricultural). Planning Commission recommended approval 5-0; the board approved 7-0.

- Case R-25-006 (Robert and Elizabeth Yates): Petition to rezone 30.304 acres on State Road 751 (Glassland Drive) in the Cowen Sprattan election district from R-1 to A-1 to allow consolidation with an adjacent A-1 parcel. Planning Commission recommended approval 5-0; the board approved 7-0. (Transcript contains a later remark citing 3.3 acres in a motion; staff packet states 30.304 acres—see clarifying details.)

- Case R-25-007 (East Boyles LLC / Ryan Gatewood representative): Rezoning of three parcels totaling 28.27 acres on U.S. Highway 29 in the Chatham-Blairs election district from MM-1 (Industrial Light Industry) and RC-1 (Residential Combined Subdivision) to M-1 (Industrial Light Industry) to allow a convenience store and gasoline station. Planning Commission recommended approval 5-0; the board approved 7-0.

- Case R-25-008 (Robert Yayman): Rezoning of 2.81 acres on State Road 873 (River Ridge Road) in the Westover election district from RMF (Residential Multifamily) to RC-1 (Residential Combined Subdivision) to allow a single-family dwelling. Planning Commission recommended approval 5-0; the board approved 7-0.

- Case R-25-009 (Jennifer Hooks): Rezoning of 19.67 acres on State Road 677 (White Fall Road) in the Banister election district from R-1 to A-1 to allow placement of an accessory structure. Planning Commission recommended approval 5-0; the board approved 7-0.

Most petitions were presented by county staff (Miss Ragsdale) and had no speakers opposed at the hearing. Supervisors moved and seconded each petition in turn, and the board cast unanimous votes recorded as 7 to 0 in the meeting minutes.

Why it matters: The rezoning changes consolidate or reclassify parcels for agricultural uses, single-family housing and convenience retail/transportation uses along U.S. 29. One petition (R-25-007) would allow a convenience store/gas station on a corridor parcel and required converting mixed zoned parcels to a single industrial category.

Clarifying note: For Case R-25-006 the staff report lists 30.304 acres; a later motion in the transcript referred to “3.3 acres.” The staff summary in the board packet should be used as the authoritative source; the transcript discrepancy is flagged for review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Supervisors Business Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously (7-0) on March 18 to approve five rezoning petitions; the planning commission recommended approval on each petition.","taxTitle","Pittsylvania County, Virginia","taxId",37853,"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},6124016,"Residents and developers clash over proposed Valaco data center; hearing continued to April 15",3768,1600000,5368000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2686766-abfe320ccf275f47984b17fa369359f5&start=1600&end=5368","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2686766-abfe320ccf275f47984b17fa369359f5/thumbnail_1600000.jpg","/articles/6124016/Pittsylvania-County/Virginia/Residents-and-developers-clash-over-proposed-Valaco-data-center-hearing-continued-to-April-15","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124016-f29952a9a00302502a46d6ae9cf73111/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138649&Signature=bkqUS8Dylo6m~M~mQDgudfsuuqwgpu-bwr7hd0B1Cbcbc~WF7Nfqldy3MnzuuL3MPPER5vVA6qW9vW49PqFHss6MjSFYwi1tW3LBQdzsxQ0f6sSTbinXG3MHBXcgBMd0F5EsktA02kuB1hFjDDD~jZ4TWwR7oEUDSLmy6pLxoUp6jOrbhchgmJzOsEzR9hDxCRwd5Gx5kcz8N8gq0DmS-4~EIIs~xD50s3uk0ZbN1sO0Ap5~GsPJ2pl8Quulhio2AmunkOKRlkdfzKNcqaOW2Wt1pxohquhkVG4q8v8bBbym2hHgoiPHYwKPi4zqsZ7bT74dN48Wht0oMPXfSNpX5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of residents, local civic groups and a developer representative packed the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors meeting on March 18 to debate a rezoning request tied to a proposed Valaco LLC data center campus and on-site gas power plant.

The company’s representative, Tim Reynolds, told the board Valaco asked to postpone the public hearing until April so the developer could refine project details after community outreach and staff meetings. Reynolds said the team had updated technical information and “came away with specific changes to the plan…geared toward minimizing the impact to everyone in the community.” He asked the board to allow April 15 to be the next public date. The chairman indicated the matter will be continued to April 15 and that people who did not get to speak would receive priority at that meeting.

Why it matters: The project would require rezoning a large tract of county land and, according to public commenters, could transform farmland, water use and local landscapes. Opponents said the proposal threatens agricultural land, wildlife and water resources; supporters said the project would bring large tax revenue, jobs, and a water line and treatment plant along Route 29.

Speakers for and against the project offered sharply different accounts of the proposal’s scale and likely impacts. Joan Walker, reading on behalf of the Chatham Garden Club, said the application seeks rezoning of roughly 747 acres from residential/agricultural to heavy industrial and asked the board to oppose the rezoning. Amy Davis, a Bannister District landowner, said the first phase would include a 3,500-megawatt-capable generation site in the county’s rural heart and asked supervisors to “plan and deny this project.” Greg Buford, an attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center representing affected neighbors, urged the board to deny the rezoning and said documents indicate the site could support up to 3,500 megawatts and a far larger permanent gas plant than the first-phase temporary turbines described in Valaco’s cover letter. Buford also argued the county’s comprehensive plan supports denying industrial development on prime farmland.

Many speakers who favored the project emphasized county finances, job creation and infrastructure. Gary Hodge, mayor of Hurt, urged the board to approve the rezoning, saying the county needs large-scale development to raise revenue. Multiple speakers, including Patty Reynolds and Steve Worley, described proposed water infrastructure — a new water treatment plant and roughly 20 miles of pipeline from Hurt to Chatham with about 200 fire hydrants — as a major public benefit that would come at no cost to the county.

Residents opposed to the project raised environmental and quality-of-life concerns repeatedly. Kaylee Hicks warned of air, water, light and noise impacts and said “industrial blight” would damage opportunities for future generations. Sandra Payne asked supervisors to visit the proposed site and said she fears the area’s rural character would be replaced by “a concrete jungle.” Several commenters questioned the provenance and reliability of letters of support submitted in the developer’s application and said some endorsements were not county- or state-level positions.

Technical questions came from members of the public who cited presentations and past meetings. Robert Key quoted turbine manufacturer specifications and estimated on-site heat output and energy consumption, arguing the ecological impact near Mill Creek would be severe if turbines operate continuously. Alice Bond said she spoke with a DEQ official who told her the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality would continuously monitor permitted emissions if the plant is built; she said DEQ processes and permit conditions are a primary regulatory control.

What the board did: The public comment period reached the board’s time limit; the chairman said the hearing will continue April 15 and that those who did not get to speak tonight will be given priority at the next meeting. No rezoning vote or formal board decision on the Valaco request was recorded on March 18.

Looking forward: The board has scheduled continuation of the public hearing for April 15, when supervisors will hear additional testimony and may consider formal action on any rezoning petition.","At a March 18 Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors meeting, dozens of residents testified for and against Valaco LLC’s proposed data center campus and on-site gas power plant. Valaco asked to postpone the rezoning hearing to April 15; the board said speakers who did not get to speak would have priority at that meeting.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6124006,"Board honors longtime fire chief Jerome Cook and recognition for Devin Taylor’s disaster housing work",524,615000,1139000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2686766-abfe320ccf275f47984b17fa369359f5&start=615&end=1139","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2686766-abfe320ccf275f47984b17fa369359f5/thumbnail_615000.jpg","/articles/6124006/Pittsylvania-County/Virginia/Board-honors-longtime-fire-chief-Jerome-Cook-and-recognition-for-Devin-Taylors-disaster-housing-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6124006-219af96958ecb602e09506110a449e5c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138649&Signature=Xc0WRowHayNw8VMxWa8mGXNmms~zj980wj7OOPOVED~gPTiJY-STxdPBksa9oafk-Pt9gvXSVciQvdvfaE7u0-kT2QCNbuwYQ9qGVT2eoyqeW7bXlWPItqRmVtk7w8OGHIc6O4lKKFZtALrSUKmbLEIYP378~ZlcJuWBILGsW8mTmqwyMLEru85jW6ddMUe-ilUmRATO1yYa-FTcxsiyrSQzNCVnOwnF-VZduwCSYi18A-iWsOuQkhwD~o6CIeUsln-IoXR71wRQiNymXdcJabO6l0rXQaRD0l7iKbQQ4KX4QKEBA~iAuhIbMh3Q8I-cy6ZWoPkrxPhxFxBdi0JGLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution at its March 18 meeting recognizing Jerome Cook’s more than six decades of volunteer fire service and presented a certificate of excellence to Devin Taylor for disaster housing work.

The board adopted Resolution 2025-0302 honoring Jerome Cook. The resolution says Cook has served in the fire service since age 19, played a role in establishing Mount Hermon Volunteer Fire Department, and served in leadership roles including lieutenant, captain, assistant chief and 22 years as chief from 1984 to February 2005. The resolution notes Cook’s 64 years of service in suppression, rescue, leadership, training and community outreach and commends him for continued participation as a lifetime member of his department’s board of directors.

Jerome Cook accepted the recognition and thanked the board, the county and his wife for support. \"I appreciate this honor… they’ve given us more and more to be able to fight fires,\" Cook said.

The board also recognized Devin Taylor and his organization, Cabins for Christ (and CampusCare). The certificate of excellence presented to Taylor says his leadership helped the group build 75 cabins to shelter families displaced by hurricanes, including work in Buncombe County and Swannanoa/Asheville. Taylor described local volunteers and businesses that supported construction and said the Old Dominion Agricultural Center (ODAC) has offered space at the former Shorter Brothers garage for continued cabin construction for future disasters.

Why it matters: The recognitions highlight long-term local volunteer public safety service and community-led disaster relief work. The board’s actions were formal acknowledgments recorded in meeting remarks; no additional board action was required.

Details from the meeting: The resolution honoring Jerome Cook was read by a supervisor and listed the resolution number (2025-0302) and the dates of service noted in the text. Devin Taylor described the volunteer effort and thanked local business people, volunteers and ODAC for providing a workspace and assistance. The presentations included photos and invited family and department members to the front of the chamber.

Both recognitions were acknowledged by the board and framed as examples of local civic service.","The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution recognizing Jerome Cook for 64 years of volunteer fire service and presented a certificate of excellence to Devin Taylor for his leadership with Cabins for Christ and CampusCare, which helped build emergency shelters for hurricane victims.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves five rezoning petitions 7-0; details and locations listed

Residents and developers clash over proposed Valaco data center; hearing continued to April 15

Board honors longtime fire chief Jerome Cook and recognition for Devin Taylor’s disaster housing work