[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6625385,"mediaKeyId","2757802-07cc9669722edc68e591af65b4eb050f","parentId",2757802,"title","Planning commission debates accessory dwelling unit rules; zoning committee to refine draft and seek joint hearing","audioSeconds",3679,"startMs",1226000,"endMs",4905000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2757802-07cc9669722edc68e591af65b4eb050f&start=1226&end=4905","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2757802-07cc9669722edc68e591af65b4eb050f/thumbnail_1226000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6625385/Amelia-County/Virginia/Planning-commission-debates-accessory-dwelling-unit-rules-zoning-committee-to-refine-draft-and-seek-joint-hearing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625385-daf5d3341cf79e43b2de3d8c38e0399f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775380688&Signature=Ieh25WlyjLTSDbGCog74NVTH4PWWueHKvtZ5kacO1YqU4R32WmwRU~toi0RYqUq2lr4xgw-NI-Go12u8RFOAcys0A2v1NjsUNzpqreoOfh7cejUdautUeSuAypcBvxU0SIGdICgwZWlhVTe5nxwUkeZrUBBK6j0WjqjVW8oDKGxHRIehteeqyskFE9~tt8nd~yl1OvIGBlk~AuOHVDTwH72Z8UUpFa1kxkSdolBzFF2XhB5xqDpcDT2WR3OQUsWaO-gUrLjW~IS1Z9u2HJsdAVuJ5Drb8CfBTENC1IkIHDCvTMxpf7jndkT0giF-PEY7LRWs2R25AL0cf4sxcOa87A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Amelia County","date","2025-03-25T01:55:00.113Z","article","The Amelia County Planning Commission discussed proposed amendments to rules for detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and directed the zoning committee to refine draft language and return for a joint public hearing with the Board of Supervisors.

Michael, planning staff, told the commission the zoning subcommittee recommended several changes to clarify terminology and standards. \"One of the things we would propose to do is that the terminology and definitions change that right now, you refer to them as detached dwelling units. What we would suggest is that you change that to accessory dwelling units, and that there be a clear definition for them,\" Michael said. The subcommittee's proposals included an owner-occupancy requirement (owner must live in either the principal dwelling or the ADU), a minimum of one off-street parking space for the ADU, requiring ADU setbacks to match the principal structure, bedroom limits (for example, a two-bedroom maximum), a maximum ADU floor area not to exceed 50% of the principal dwelling, locating ADUs on lots at least twice the zoning district minimum or otherwise establishing maximum density limits, and requiring separate wastewater and water-well services in some cases.

Commissioners debated multiple tradeoffs. Several members said ADUs should be close to the main house to serve elderly or dependent relatives, but others warned that separate wells and septic systems would increase costs and could incentivize later subdivision or rental use. One commissioner noted the idea of an expiration or renewal period for ADU permits; a renewal every three years was discussed and met resistance from members who said three years might be too short and suggested five years instead. Commissioners discussed a case-by-case special-exception route for situations that do not meet the standard rules.

Health and enforcement concerns also figured in the discussion. Michael recommended more information from the health department before requiring separate wells and waste systems in all cases. Commissioners noted that enforcement capacity is limited and that code enforcement often acts only on complaint, so deed recordings and other mechanisms were suggested to track conditional approvals. One staff member said attaching special-exception conditions to the deed and recording them with the circuit court clerk would create a public record that lenders and future buyers would see.

The commission agreed on a two-part process: address density and lot-size \"low-hanging fruit\" first—language that could limit ADUs in traditional subdivisions—then return to the fuller set of standards, definitions and permit conditions. The group set a plan to convene a joint public hearing with the Board of Supervisors in April on the initial amendments and to revisit the full draft at the planning commission's May meeting. The zoning committee will prepare revised language for those hearings and provide clarifications on enforcement, renewal periods and health-department requirements.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Amelia County Planning Commission Meeting - March 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Amelia County Planning Commission discussed proposed code changes for accessory dwelling units, including owner-occupancy, size limits, setbacks and utility requirements, and directed its zoning committee to refine the draft and seek a joint public hearing with the Board of Supervisors.","taxTitle","Amelia County, Virginia","taxId",30501,"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},6625386,"Planning commission recommends approval of special-exception permit for dog kennel at 24950 West Soapstone Road",590,616000,1206000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2757802-07cc9669722edc68e591af65b4eb050f&start=616&end=1206","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2757802-07cc9669722edc68e591af65b4eb050f/thumbnail_616000.jpg","/articles/6625386/Amelia-County/Virginia/Planning-commission-recommends-approval-of-special-exception-permit-for-dog-kennel-at-24950-West-Soapstone-Road","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625386-169effca508829fb34d0e786225dfcf9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775380688&Signature=AHOz815W-rfzS~8bH0hvJZWslSTmtFt7OnBpWDkMvodZ3CW8bG5Ey8la1nS0dMB4d36ZCefTCd3Aa~mtt~14d2C0cvo2lDH8N9t21IaYjXzwlrU6B4OW813ysC-eJn755GkrdYboCDTpNMJL5wH9JWk9vxTdef-tKIbWuaGm-JCOz7pHSzS2cxhYrhZ~mLGqbf4JVfiZtvtEMjoHqUo6xuqGnEyVLSnu6LcpinXOwFARa9VRGrdeo12l0dQDu9dIhx3~6492YZTzylK3j8WgKunTmK9hT96AGX~uDfj~mwK9VVUEP9INiR93gWXSGJG26lKbdJ8jSUnxRHbSehh2Mw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Amelia County Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a special-exception permit to operate a dog kennel at 24950 West Soapstone Road, tax map 38-13A, with the conditions proposed by county staff.

Michael, planning staff, told commissioners the application by applicant Andrew Jordan asks for a kennel use permitted by special exception under the A-5 Agriculture District. \"The applicant for this application is Andrew Jordan, We're requesting a special exception permit to operate a dog kennel use. That property located at 24950 West Soapstone Road, identified as tax map 38Dash13 a on the Amelia County real property identification map,\" Michael said during his staff report. He reviewed the A-5 zoning purpose, the kennel definition and the county's special-exception criteria.

The staff report noted the kennel definition includes \"a place designed to house, board, breed, handle, or otherwise keep or care for dogs 4 months old or older for sale or in return for compensation,\" and that individuals with three or fewer litters per year may operate under home-occupation rules. Staff recommended approval with conditions including that structures and active components associated with the kennel comply with 100-foot setbacks from front, side and rear property lines and that the uses be limited to activities such as housing/boarding, breeding/sale, keeping/care and handling/training of dogs as approved.

Applicant Andrew Jordan spoke during the public hearing and described his operation and training activities. He did not provide a fixed limit on the number of dogs, citing uncertainty about setting a fixed cap: \"I don't know. Like, I don't wanna restrict it and say, like, 3 dogs and then say I get 5 dogs. But, I know neither of us wanna have a hundred dogs either. So I don't know where do you draw the line. It's hard to say.\" Jordan said he currently breeds and trains retrievers, performs health clearances and has discussed the plan with nearby neighbors.

Commissioners asked about facility size and hours; Jordan said he stores hay in an existing 40-by-48 barn and that dogs are generally quiet at night and kept inside in a climate-controlled kennel when appropriate. After closing the public hearing, the commission voted to recommend approval subject to the staff conditions. The planning commission's motion was made by \"Easter\" and seconded by \"Ramsey,\" and the chair called for ayes before saying, \"Motion carries. Mister Jordan, you'll come before the board of supervisors\" for the next step in the approval process. The date the applicant will appear before the Board of Supervisors was discussed onscreen and spoken about inconsistently during the meeting; the commission's direction was that Jordan will present at the supervisors' meeting in the coming months.

The recommendation to the Board of Supervisors does not itself authorize operation of the kennel; final approval and any additional conditions or permit requirements will be set by the Board. Staff advised that a business license and any required health or animal-care permits would also be required as separate processes.","Amelia County planning staff recommended, and the planning commission voted to recommend, approval of a special-exception permit allowing a dog kennel at 24950 West Soapstone Road with conditions including 100-foot setbacks; the applicant will present to the Board of Supervisors for final action.",{"_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},6625379,"Resident warns reassessment labeled detached garages 'hangars,' may complicate mortgages for subdivision owners",134,5007000,5141000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2757802-07cc9669722edc68e591af65b4eb050f&start=5007&end=5141","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2757802-07cc9669722edc68e591af65b4eb050f/thumbnail_5007000.jpg","/articles/6625379/Amelia-County/Virginia/Resident-warns-reassessment-labeled-detached-garages-hangars-may-complicate-mortgages-for-subdivision-owners","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625379-f77e3085c7803b4714b58ea9dc7dc6b3/orig.mp4?Expires=1775380688&Signature=FGmxa4qUePLFxfhqTQ4qq7nERnwjQ8Pcj7eimtI~LNw~-o524KAelhwa2xulv65o6DiXzGlurDOC6PI507h5TREAN9pUF6aamorvt3dJtnQ6BMmUnQF7QcMbDxaP5voJHsNGzJABnHHx3MdXp3VFadd4y5~AtrgxrsAkLmGKNb3VIe7KA734WA7hRnKBnhLkUKYFftaak~5F1iQC4wWfBxsVSzADZsIe7UMLvrEWut~kSYtreVCPERWVaTeHa9209yp5DbUtgcg-9xmr-mTvbDfq7KSDHOkNEAiRLRLJ4AoVgdaTGMO3xKPilLiuP2RBnS0UqI0ij5veo1qZl9yIDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A resident of Merlin Meadows told the planning commission that a recent reassessment categorized accessory structures in his subdivision as \"hangars,\" a classification he said is creating mortgage complications for sellers and buyers.

Paul White, identifying himself as a Merlin Way resident in District 5, described the concern: \"In the last property reassessment, the accessory structures were changed to be called hanger, which unfortunately, in the residential mortgage market, that term obviously has a commercial use because the hangar is on an airport, which is where business is operated and all sorts of stuff. And so to obtain a standard residential mortgage that meets secondary investor qualifications, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac... the lender has to get special approval.\" White said several homeowners in his subdivision, many of them older, could face difficulty when trying to sell if lenders treat their detached garages as commercial hangars.

Commissioners asked for details and staff said the reassessment language change came from the commissioner of the revenue's office and the contractor that handled reassessment. The commission asked staff to note the issue and explore whether a terminology correction or clarification could be made with revenue staff to avoid unintended mortgage-market consequences for property owners.

The commission did not take formal action at the meeting but acknowledged the problem and encouraged the resident to provide documentation, including a lender letter he referenced, so staff could follow up with the commission of the revenue and the reassessment contractor.","A Merlin Meadows resident told the commission county reassessment staff relabeled some accessory structures as \"hangars,\" which could trigger secondary-market mortgage review and complicate future sales; commissioners and staff noted the issue and said they would investigate.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6625382,"Staff proposes higher planning fees; commissioners flag short-term rentals and enforcement limits",528,5468000,5996000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2757802-07cc9669722edc68e591af65b4eb050f&start=5468&end=5996","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2757802-07cc9669722edc68e591af65b4eb050f/thumbnail_5468000.jpg","/articles/6625382/Amelia-County/Virginia/Staff-proposes-higher-planning-fees-commissioners-flag-short-term-rentals-and-enforcement-limits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625382-9d9b5ed20f9471fae2a4c5965fbaa90c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775380688&Signature=BdFGQhKXIEA8v2ATKOv7e0LvSYgzo1wjQ~Mfnpx5sB9baWFehT17sMJywvlqyIN5K2E4mCbfPDviCJ4tkIQdT~W7T0pLsaj4OKSLbrKJreDg6mhTtKhSxXRoJxk8KasfPUaqwknysporl~r2mx1slnw704FGHEeaEGBPO7IFyKmU-VXBHOxlPghCUunLH1SIQBDB-7W15h227fh7u~1Mbw~~8HNiVpBKWX27m1lXlnSwafJDkGlg6s9SRKTWMWJgcwJ1pXjvgKioZbfKLq5DMNHGQSggTCahue9aTNhVPW27D8VQ187WK3MV0mslcE-0nLewvhaaaUMxi0AtYoXRcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Planning staff presented a proposed update to application and public-hearing fees for zoning and land-use items and told the commission the current fee schedule does not cover advertising, inspections and staff time required for more frequent hearings.

The staff memo compared Amelia County's fees to neighboring jurisdictions and showed the county is on the lower end of prevailing rates. Staff said higher fees would also help pay for member education and encourage informed decisions by new planning commissioners. \"Currently, we would not be able to it would not cover the cost for the public hearing with the advertisement fees, etcetera, as well as the time it takes for whoever comes into the community development office for the zoning enforcement to go out and inspect the property,\" the presenter said.

Commissioners discussed incremental increases rather than a sudden large jump to help citizens adjust. One commissioner said the county should gather more comparables and present them at the supervisors' workshop; staff agreed to gather additional benchmarking information.

Separately, the commission discussed short-term rentals. Michael, planning staff, warned about a recent change in state law that limits local regulation: \"there's a statute change where you cannot a locality cannot prohibit a homeowner from Airbnb being their own house dwelling. So they could rent out their house, the entirety of their house, or rent out a bedroom. So there's at least 1 piece of that that you can't prohibit. And you can't require you can't require a special exception or or use permit for that either.\" Commissioners noted enforcement staffing limits and discussed drafting rules that align with state law while addressing parking, noise and safety. They also signaled intent to address short-term rental policy sooner rather than later given local growth in venues and event activity.

Staff will continue benchmarking fees, will present refined proposals to the Board of Supervisors' workshop, and commissioners asked staff to place short-term rental policy on the agenda for upcoming zoning committee work.","Amelia County staff presented a proposed increase in planning and land‑use application fees to cover public-hearing advertising, inspections and training. Commissioners discussed enforcement capacity and statutory limits on local regulation of short-term rentals (Airbnb).","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning commission debates accessory dwelling unit rules; zoning committee to refine draft and seek joint hearing

Planning commission recommends approval of special-exception permit for dog kennel at 24950 West Soapstone Road

Resident warns reassessment labeled detached garages 'hangars,' may complicate mortgages for subdivision owners

Staff proposes higher planning fees; commissioners flag short-term rentals and enforcement limits