[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_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":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6114436,"mediaKeyId","2743468-2b76e45e2911758aa4185f52ba7d43c6","parentId",2743468,"title","Board pulls track‑ordinance item for public hearing, approves other consent items including temporary demo permit","audioSeconds",2911,"startMs",2695000,"endMs",5606000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2743468-2b76e45e2911758aa4185f52ba7d43c6&start=2695&end=5606","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2743468-2b76e45e2911758aa4185f52ba7d43c6/thumbnail_2695000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6114436/Franklin-County/Virginia/Board-pulls-trackordinance-item-for-public-hearing-approves-other-consent-items-including-temporary-demo-permit","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6114436-79370562c1bbf6a1f43b8f7b09b79f57/orig.mp4?Expires=1774955245&Signature=P04QO5f5KRhGMq6ZPES77LlleqhJ2WqWus2uYWpV627G8WtYlCDX6Yt3u0Hh4KRii4r8zrv2CDyqX926yLHAtbuTLaYH5OqPDfPMEHJPF-IMpOAwlHbLgHiezs2dbNQQy3PAeVYIr-lZgJ-om0Mjdo-~mJZ6llJ9xOtGVQKlZbDfQfeQDdMiydJUqYhi964LJ15oMWoTm3ctqT5vwyZ2NB-zA4wDNnCot4feh0cnQy8Dg4cpIlf3EDaVYMybRot0Qu7iOtyLbfKKbcQC0f~DMeRfnHjUnV-NNZGYJ320rNXxoog6A8efyose2ni2Phu5VZa967eUy4P49YeYblQgtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-19T18:45:12Z","article","Franklin County supervisors pulled one consent‑agenda item seeking to change a race‑track ordinance start time for a once‑a‑year event and directed staff to advertise a public hearing and draft ordinance language that would give staff discretion on start times in specific circumstances.

Race‑track request: An applicant asked to waive the county ordinance that currently sets a Sunday start time of 1 p.m. so that a July racing event could begin at 10 a.m., matching other tracks in the region. County counsel advised the board that altering the ordinance would require a public hearing and an ordinance amendment. The board directed staff to draft special language that could give staff discretionary authority to set start times in limited circumstances and to advertise a public hearing; the board tabled the consent item until after that public hearing in April.

Don Vineyard demonstration permit: The board approved Don Vineyard’s demonstration permit for a two‑month period, subject to reevaluation by the board, rather than a blanket multi‑month approval. The board and counsel discussed bond language for the event (staff suggested a modest bond could be required) and agreed to a short, staged approval. The applicant will return for reevaluation after the initial period.

Other consent items: Supervisors approved the remaining consent‑agenda items (listed below) by roll call after pulling the two items described above for separate action. The board asked staff to restructure motions where appropriate and confirmed that one item (volunteer fire grant) would carry the additional condition that Public Safety verify invoices before funds are spent.

Why it matters: The race‑track discussion highlights limits to administrative waiver authority — an ordinance change or public hearing is required to change hours in the county code — and the board sought a narrowly drafted path to permit exceptions while preserving public notice and hearing requirements.

Votes at a glance (selected consent items):
- Item 6 (Outdoor race‑track start time): Pulled; motion to advertise a public hearing and draft ordinance language; tabled until April public hearing (unanimous roll‑call to table).
- Item 5 (Don Vineyard demonstration permit): Approved for an initial two‑month period, to be reevaluated by the board; roll call approval.
- Items 1,2,3,4,7,8: Approved by roll call as presented.
- Item 9 (Volunteer Fire Association requests): Approved with condition that Public Safety review invoices prior to expenditure.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Franklin County Board of Supervisors Meeting 03/18/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Franklin County supervisors pulled a consent‑agenda ordinance change request on race‑track start times for a public hearing, approved a two‑month demonstration permit for Don Vineyard and approved remaining consent items by roll call after separate discussion.","taxTitle","Franklin County, Virginia","taxId",30976,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6114454,"Franklin County adds code-enforcement hire and assistant building official as permitting changes roll out",319,1436000,1755000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2743468-2b76e45e2911758aa4185f52ba7d43c6&start=1436&end=1755","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2743468-2b76e45e2911758aa4185f52ba7d43c6/thumbnail_1436000.jpg","/articles/6114454/Franklin-County/Virginia/Franklin-County-adds-code-enforcement-hire-and-assistant-building-official-as-permitting-changes-roll-out","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6114454-3e9626871afc741ff6e80b1fe06cdc67/orig.mp4?Expires=1774955245&Signature=U-qhNLYTtaZdW5TT76pkevjjzIayTm27jPT4fNVJzLcKQ7wkXDHCc0lgprn3mpx2-i41rHFfI4h9L2wAJ9d-UdPGEOxnO8TBZsYSZTb4Bl~OE3jhl2yarDOYR0a9ftdvpsfkp2b9CY0edJS5S6m9Njr58o791mLNiAtGJOA6bxquRejxxrWktBQTI5skJ3zhTzR9A8K6t9hesBhnacqQkLJgZDxMu5LF4-rC~6ehCs47NoKjC~xj7u4NAZcl4J2FQwTH9zsXGKhS7K14BUmrAfkiS-pC3W7TLvanJqOG65bI9EN7ZSVVkWqn1wxnNnZ9Qaa4nWLSUFMkI09sKnxuQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Franklin County officials announced staffing gains and several process changes aimed at shortening permitting timelines, after residents and developers raised concerns about delays.

County development staff introduced Scott Morris, a new zoning/code enforcement officer with roughly 30 years of law‑enforcement experience, and promoted Daniel Orange to assistant building official. County planners said adding a plan reviewer and restoring simultaneous review across land‑disturbance, stormwater and building reviews should shorten turnaround time for many permits.

County staff told the Board of Supervisors that part of the delay in many residential permit files results from waiting on applicants to supply missing information. Staff said they plan to add time‑and‑date stamping to show when applications go to customers versus when the county has them in hand, and to deploy an online application workflow that enforces required fields before applicants can advance. That is intended to reduce “kicking back” files for incomplete information and cut time while a file is effectively waiting on an applicant.

For larger commercial projects, staff again recommended third‑party plan reviews as an option for applicants that need expedited service. A third‑party vendor, the county said, is paid by the applicant and can perform a quicker, deeper technical review; the county would still approve stamped third‑party reports before issuing permits.

Staff also said it is working with the Virginia Department of Health and has scheduled a meeting with the regional VDH director on April 1 to discuss well and septic approval timelines that have affected building permit issuance. Staff described continuing internal coordination among planning, stormwater and building reviewers to allow simultaneous reviews rather than sequential handoffs.

What it means: With the new staff and planned digital changes, the county expects residential permits that are complete on initial submittal to move faster than before. Staff warned that time spent waiting for applicants — for example, two‑ to three‑week responses from a homeowner — still counts against an application’s overall calendar time even though the county may have been stalled only days.

Staff plans next steps including a timeline for the online filing system and quarterly reporting on permit cycle times to the Board.","Franklin County officials announced staffing gains and several process changes aimed at shortening permitting timelines, after residents and developers raised concerns about delays.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6114441,"Health‑insurance consultant: Anthem renewal would rise about 15% while Virginia Local Choice quote could lower county cost",1144,6206000,7350000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2743468-2b76e45e2911758aa4185f52ba7d43c6&start=6206&end=7350","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2743468-2b76e45e2911758aa4185f52ba7d43c6/thumbnail_6206000.jpg","/articles/6114441/Franklin-County/Virginia/Healthinsurance-consultant-Anthem-renewal-would-rise-about-15-while-Virginia-Local-Choice-quote-could-lower-county-cost","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6114441-03dcd6f3cc8dc7912ca61d57f7324ed1/orig.mp4?Expires=1774955245&Signature=Q1cjj1LxwzVnrJ~tbgTiTHDVT7qpeKUNc2kL6nWdyP~q5tDAdJR-l9ax~XvI-QCHVYn65g0ba8khORgk97Je8VI9hZzSIUZgBFlqE1f4lxlB0FG6aV956jJrKCiRi7W3KGt9Bffn2PeovWvzcWzHfUKvAl5CjRA~2HChuF32sOxPywSjFbpB1zUgm0glJUWlLrBnH~i5O3Yk7z7imeLS~0lCDx2LVNRgaXZNPDWvzD0SmEroYP30~7A4P8bNAyU24P7v7t7FqHXSIEL2-3FWMD~N4J3jBkUXtsPQyz6gr91fFY7GZ-3mmq7hT1vz~aPvE5P0b4fV43Sxbgw0Iryiww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A health‑insurance consultant hired this year told the Board of Supervisors that an Anthem renewal would have raised Franklin County premiums roughly 15%, while an unsolicited Virginia Local Choice (TLC) quote that arrived after the RFP closed showed a decrease of about 5% compared with the county’s current plan.

What the consultant presented: Pierce Group Benefits, the county’s newly selected benefits consultant, ran a formal RFP for fully insured proposals. The incumbent carrier, Anthem, submitted a renewal that staff and the consultant negotiated down to about a 15% increase. The consultant said Anthem’s initial renewal had been substantially higher (about 24.5%) before the RFP and discussions.

Local Choice option: After the RFP closed a Local Choice quote (a state‑sponsored pooled option administered through the Department of Human Resource Management) arrived. Pierce Group reported that Local Choice’s quote would reduce combined premium versus the county’s current plan by about $275,000 and would lower the county’s portion by roughly $1 million when accounting for embedded dental and vision. Pierce Group stressed that Local Choice operates as a large pooled self‑insured program with underwriting rules and an exit (adverse‑experience) fee and that Local Choice sets enrollment and open‑enrollment dates for all participants.

Pros and cons discussed: Pierce Group said Local Choice generally gives participating localities more rate stability and often caps increases for a pool, but it also enforces tight enrollment timelines (open enrollment the first two weeks of May) and imposes a financial true‑up if a member leaves (run‑out or adverse experience charges). Pierce Group also noted Local Choice requires participating employers to contribute at least 80% of the employee‑only premium for employee coverage. The board discussed the tradeoffs between short‑term savings and longer‑term exit costs and the need to decide by a near‑term deadline if the county will pursue Local Choice for the July 1 renewal.

Next steps: Pierce Group and county staff asked the board to consider the Local Choice quote and to identify whether staff should proceed with a transition package and the required open‑enrollment schedule. Staff said they can implement either path but that a decision on Local Choice would require meeting the Local Choice paperwork and schedule by early April to satisfy May open enrollment.","Franklin County’s health‑benefits consultant reported that the incumbent insurer’s negotiated renewal would mean roughly a 15% premium increase, while a later Virginia Local Choice quote would cut combined premiums and could save the county about $1 million compared with the Anthem renewal when dental and vision are included.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6114446,"Board approves short‑term rental at Smith Road home after neighbors oppose; garage septic must be disconnected",2936,9600000,12536000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2743468-2b76e45e2911758aa4185f52ba7d43c6&start=9600&end=12536","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2743468-2b76e45e2911758aa4185f52ba7d43c6/thumbnail_9600000.jpg","/articles/6114446/Franklin-County/Virginia/Board-approves-shortterm-rental-at-Smith-Road-home-after-neighbors-oppose-garage-septic-must-be-disconnected","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6114446-0da5352f9382f5ced238a1b57c64cc17/orig.mp4?Expires=1774955245&Signature=BL2m-um0Wr2p~Y1pHur0e-pbxP6tkDYziKDmK2HMVdvN22lfqjIqFFvCzT14g42kScg3tXtsOPUOkYYEVuZFwZAHb3o93xvA5YOwztCyz7ogiGBt80WdgotaqEGXo75S54YFhkndjMeHd9l1Km18Vxg6BjTj3Bheos0o-D0SKMevTDcyAe9jtN8cDDq9FifnUXGh7CZA67d4wTOn4QKCFXrhPnW24nuf4Ujj6yhj4jQtheJyvdvGbCV5dchpCY21YWFlfGzYX2FyvriFN6gQosc~4EpJMtCeWiNgY3lrMwWe~rmRKume0OZteJBvPYyD4pREm9vYvQYIOCoxrS3gJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Franklin County Board of Supervisors approved a special‑use permit that allows the single‑family dwelling at 105 Smith Road to be used for short‑term tourist rentals, with a condition intended to ensure the detached garage/apartment will not rely on the same septic system.

Staff and planning commission: County planning staff told the board the dwelling is a single‑family home built in 1990 with three bedrooms and a septic sized for three bedrooms. The Planning Commission recommended approval (7–0) with standard conditions that include registration, an inspection and proof of at least $1 million in liability insurance for guests.

Public comment: Opponents — neighbors who live on nearby rural roads — spoke at the public hearing, citing traffic and safety concerns on narrow rural roads, prior problems on the property under past ownership (noise and alleged criminal incidents), and uncertainty about whether the detached, two‑bedroom upstairs garage/apartment has a separate septic system or had previously been occupied as a rental. The applicants said they live on the property and do not currently intend to rent the detached structure; they described it as in poor condition and said they have invested in renovation of the main house.

Board action: After initial votes failed on one motion, the board ultimately approved the special‑use permit with a condition requiring that any septic connection serving the detached garage/apartment be permanently disconnected and that the county building official inspect and confirm the disconnection before issuance of any short‑term‑rental registration or occupancy related to the permit. That condition was added after supervisors expressed concern that a habitable accessory unit could be returned to use without county oversight and that the property may not have documentation showing a separate septic for the accessory unit.

Permit scope and limits: The approval applies to the primary dwelling only; the accessory garage apartment is not authorized for short‑term rental under this permit. Staff said any renovation of the garage/apartment that would make it habitable would require building permits and zoning review and, if intended for rental, would require a separate short‑term‑rental approval.

Why it matters: The decision balances neighbors’ safety and community character concerns with property owners’ requests to operate a short‑term rental on a rural parcel. The board’s septic‑disconnection and inspection condition is intended to give county staff a clear compliance point before guests are allowed to occupy the short‑term rental.","The Franklin County Board of Supervisors approved a special‑use permit allowing the main dwelling at 105 Smith Road to operate as a short‑term rental, adding a condition that the detached garage/apartment not be connected to the house septic and that county inspectors confirm the disconnection.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6114450,"Board approves volunteer fire association capital requests after debate; public‑safety vetting required",1584,3728000,5312000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2743468-2b76e45e2911758aa4185f52ba7d43c6&start=3728&end=5312","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2743468-2b76e45e2911758aa4185f52ba7d43c6/thumbnail_3728000.jpg","/articles/6114450/Franklin-County/Virginia/Board-approves-volunteer-fire-association-capital-requests-after-debate-publicsafety-vetting-required","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6114450-6cb0507e3a920cab9f5f67298178cbfd/orig.mp4?Expires=1774955245&Signature=BCRL1znVVuppQ9xw8rJBiDAKyTTDVuZayL6vfrw0hr343XHZvEf6nhZujgFgGVYA-1mqoVWtWVEZXslh34MTjFMLPw910WX4iuBonyxZF0RiFo1DTxrC6eQUd~HBB4XuVFlhvgdEDrY2gKns4ENVj5jffk6FyJbmTUUbhjLdkDJCoO6m2NyXCHh9VP51gDgrRAkp1U3M1KtovjsbdzAIHpgsNLkh7fHccaHNgNBBfIVFANCO2gqhZxE7SGfFG00GpM7ayZvWzOYizjgEDi9K3H2Gkzcx6VKn5wqlEIOFDQ7uKkGt6tDQfW8ZNHWW8eBeK8AHo~GH8hcmricuWX9sIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Franklin County Board of Supervisors voted to approve capital and training requests submitted by the Volunteer Fire Association, but only after clarifying that the county’s public‑safety director would review invoices and verify purchases before grant funds are disbursed.

Background: The volunteer request covered turnout gear, air bottles, hose and firefighter training, and the group asked the county to release money held in a small local grant account established in prior years. The request included a total capital/training figure appearing in staff materials as $58,001.22.

Debate: Supervisors pressed staff and fire leaders over process questions: whether the grant program should be administered through the Volunteer Fire Association (the original intent) or channeled through the county’s public‑safety director (a change discussed in recent months). Several supervisors said taxpayer dollars require central vetting; fire leaders and volunteers argued the association vetting process had been the historical practice and that volunteer chiefs coordinate purchases and spare inventory among companies.

Chiefs and staff: Public‑safety staff said they had discussed the requests with volunteer leaders and had identified training needs and capital needs; Chief Ledbetter, president of the Volunteer Fire Chiefs Association, and others said the association had vetted the requests and that no purchases had been made yet. Public‑safety officials agreed to review and, if requested by the board, inspect invoices before funds left the county account. Staff and chiefs also discussed conserving funds for capital needs rather than using grant money for recurring training when county training line items could be used.

Board action: After discussion, the board approved the Volunteer Fire Association requests with a specific condition that Public Safety review and verify invoices before funds are released; the motion also allowed the public‑safety director to work with the chiefs to manage any appropriate reallocation for training funds going forward.

Why it matters: Volunteer fire and rescue companies provide most emergency response outside town limits. Supervisors said they want volunteers to retain an operational role in prioritizing purchases while making sure the county has invoice‑level oversight for tax dollars.

What’s next: Public Safety will receive the association’s invoices and confirm that requested items match county purchasing and equipment specifications before funds are released.","The Board approved the Volunteer Fire Association's capital and training request (about $58,001) after extended debate over process, accountability and whether public‑safety staff must vet and approve purchases. The board added a requirement that Public Safety review invoices before funds are spent; training funds will be reviewed separately.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board pulls track‑ordinance item for public hearing, approves other consent items including temporary demo permit

Franklin County adds code-enforcement hire and assistant building official as permitting changes roll out

Health‑insurance consultant: Anthem renewal would rise about 15% while Virginia Local Choice quote could lower county cost

Board approves short‑term rental at Smith Road home after neighbors oppose; garage septic must be disconnected

Board approves volunteer fire association capital requests after debate; public‑safety vetting required