[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6159530,"mediaKeyId","5454446-c2dcb702b5ec2e0d6e16bb8677ae5ce7","parentId",5454446,"title","County applies for $25,000 small-area plan grant; staff seeks matching funds to reach $50,000","audioSeconds",42,"startMs",3444000,"endMs",3486000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5454446-c2dcb702b5ec2e0d6e16bb8677ae5ce7&start=3444&end=3486","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5454446-c2dcb702b5ec2e0d6e16bb8677ae5ce7/thumbnail_3444000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6159530/Cumberland-County/Virginia/County-applies-for-25000-small-area-plan-grant-staff-seeks-matching-funds-to-reach-50000","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6159530-d58f09a15085f7fdf643fa9ddc32797e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773344574&Signature=Shhlur7VcyObwZvLAXHdD5GgEme4OyNUp2STT2Pnu0wvfclIqdVs8Xq30NLntZ-lCBdZfD9b3KnNUO75zaaaj3IsOvbYwZ1gWlCDAK7VaWT5-iyybJZ4amsUCyf6KqbNGp3Kl-2j1JRW3IyLfAxLfzKz29UYbzVgI4x-yEXm04LZ9LxX~Dk-X8LFOi4iYfKwT4Rsr42YAuwg5lPeeRJ1pRIKOvcCbIaIUdzrM1mwU1mD5~7TsXdkfy5MIu1iwD6P8kTpyxZsYpYJb~nvyLQp3WDIqWoC3myEGqt7yDxX3vG6oX7v4BRkRmqMsjtdZnSLnq5z~PzfENi540mrdmlRww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cumberland County, VA","date","2025-07-23T18:52:54.48Z","article","Planning staff updated the commission that the county, with assistance from the Commonwealth Regional Council (CRC), applied for a $25,000 grant to develop a small-area plan targeting the Courthouse Village. Staff said the grant requires matching funds if approved and that the county is applying to the Tobacco Commission for additional funds to leverage the award to a $50,000 total.

Staff said the small-area plan aligns with areas of focus identified in a May workshop with the commission and board and that, if funded, the plan would cover planning work for the Courthouse Village area. No formal action was requested at this meeting; staff described the update as informational and said they would provide further updates as grant decisions proceed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning Commission meeting 7/21/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Planning staff said Cumberland County applied for a $25,000 small-area planning grant with assistance from the Commonwealth Regional Council and is pursuing matching funds from the Tobacco Commission to bring total to $50,000 for a Courthouse Village plan.","taxTitle","Cumberland County, Virginia","taxId",78932,"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},6159536,"Applicant requests deferral after board raises traffic and notice concerns for Dollar General rezoning",150,2330000,2480000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5454446-c2dcb702b5ec2e0d6e16bb8677ae5ce7&start=2330&end=2480","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5454446-c2dcb702b5ec2e0d6e16bb8677ae5ce7/thumbnail_2330000.jpg","/articles/6159536/Cumberland-County/Virginia/Applicant-requests-deferral-after-board-raises-traffic-and-notice-concerns-for-Dollar-General-rezoning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6159536-cb5ce77421cef49c24000ecc4b6c8862/orig.mp4?Expires=1773344574&Signature=NLtmD3ZzHF-Vk~ArLksnkGBXHLRdpkiJoZO08wXy23FO0hPW-C5wjRp-KAcynNpVpE3AeIz8Mit5zCjuwcyn9BE2dyHi9D6nBxp0jVbwxRyRWyh~FR2bQ6tyekGcEZDMKbbvszB2oUaSbGGxvFV1pRON~x8WrPYG9otwg6fm79h6rlooP8z50MXtkeFf~jpkYhBPiMWrKLut~GMRsDTDuvpwZBz92OWgxciOK7-JNcOQVy4B4xGZrNy55H3VXUf~mx~sZHOqsInJkkNdU5tyTPJ3BSTx0OwyIvFfqOgguS9-lPL4xA~dn9gyU1CsyhKX-Fe1aX74ApKKEQQuRID-xg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Valco Investments requested a deferral of Rezoning Application 2501, a proposal for a Dollar General store near the intersection of Glenwood Road and Route 60, after the board of supervisors raised concerns about traffic and the adequacy of posted notice. Planning staff said the planning commission had previously recommended approval with reduced parking and proffers; the board referred the item back to the commission after one board member raised traffic and posting issues.

Staff reported the applicant asked to defer the rezoning and that staff will meet with the applicant and county administrator to address questions and concerns. A VDOT (Virginia Department of Transportation) follow-up email read into the record stated that a formal traffic impact statement is not required for the project because the project does not meet VDOT’s thresholds (development generating more than 5,000 vehicles per day at the site connection or a residential development generating more than 400 vehicles per day and doubling the traffic of the receiving roadway). VDOT’s written guidance said site-plan review will require a turn-lane analysis and verification of truck turning movements and that the intersection of Route 60 and Blenheim is considered off-site so VDOT cannot require an intersection analysis as part of site-plan review.

Commissioners and several residents urged caution about the proposed location. Gina Martin, who identified herself as living at 518 Carter School Road, said the location is “bad” and expressed concern about large trucks backing on Glenwood and potential traffic backups. Betty Myers, of 577 Deep Run Road, told commissioners she is concerned Dollar General locates in “underserved areas” and could affect a planned grocery store that residents want; she asked the commission to consider potential impacts on local businesses and traffic safety.

Staff said the applicant explored alternative sites and contacted a property across the street that was zoned business, but the owner was unwilling to sell or subdivide. Staff also said the initial failure to post a notice on the property was a mistake and that posting has since been completed as a courtesy (staff said the code does not require the extra posting but acknowledged the oversight). The applicant asked that the item be placed on the commission’s Aug. 18 agenda for further action after staff and the applicant meet to address outstanding issues.

No final rezoning vote or formal action on the deferral was recorded during the meeting; staff indicated the matter will return to the planning commission on Aug. 18 with additional materials and responses to the board’s concerns.","Valco Investments’ rezoning application 2501 for a proposed Dollar General at Glenwood Road and Route 60 was deferred by request after the board of supervisors raised traffic and notice concerns; staff said VDOT reviewed thresholds and will require turn-lane and truck-turning studies at site-plan review.",{"_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},6159538,"Planning staff finalizes agritourism policy to clarify exemptions, event permits and liability",556,1239000,1795000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5454446-c2dcb702b5ec2e0d6e16bb8677ae5ce7&start=1239&end=1795","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5454446-c2dcb702b5ec2e0d6e16bb8677ae5ce7/thumbnail_1239000.jpg","/articles/6159538/Cumberland-County/Virginia/Planning-staff-finalizes-agritourism-policy-to-clarify-exemptions-event-permits-and-liability","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6159538-e9fb2155761643bb0f7439b4c78be846/orig.mp4?Expires=1773344574&Signature=eWCOa30FFCRSr6J9i~YS9g7MjBfpC~wYjPp9aNZsF3kEvy~zHh0raB1y6tYR9ge3IIncVK32QNv0hIhpRPE~kZTsN92TaokezSJKXc1WRLIoaTGcwzeWyob~VzeSBKI~Oazd3wQRP5W1h1GJkLzSA08BkBhpf6netUUYyzyue9APmEE9M50BVPcjsUDCHCdPawIH~ap1kwzjuXXWW~abhhajksJj7ZSH9PNOaO~yoFYhy6LLh28k~KmexLjdPiqVWgQqWoGQAG5QmHGs8xQPSY926p2BH0H8ZJMH2xIlvBw~x5X6Fqf20J6M7nLYeF7u2-1QDDDRV8~LQ-NaoM3tSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Planning Department staff presented a finalized internal agritourism policy to the Cumberland County Planning Commission that defines agritourism activities, explains when a landowner may claim a state agritourism exemption, and attaches exhibits for applicants to complete.

Staff told commissioners the policy provides the state code definitions and examples of activities that do and do not qualify as agritourism. The policy includes two exhibits that prospective applicants will complete to allow staff to determine whether an event or structure qualifies for the agritourism exemption. Staff said the county attorney and the building official’s office reviewed the policy. Staff also clarified this is an internal policy, not an ordinance, and no action by the board of supervisors was requested at the meeting.

Staff explained that to qualify as agritourism the property must be a bona fide farm — for example, one acre or more used for production, cultivation, growing, harvesting or processing of agricultural products — and the activity must be carried out on that farm. Staff used examples: a corn maze or farm-based activities would be agritourism; renting a second dwelling on a non-farm parcel for overnight stays would not qualify as agritourism and could instead be a short-term rental subject to other codes.

Staff told the commission that, under state code, localities must adopt an agritourism ordinance to extend certain state liability protections to agritourism participants. The department said that with a local policy in place, participants in bona fide agritourism events may assume certain liability risks under state law, but to obtain those state benefits the locality must adopt a local agritourism ordinance; staff described the county’s internal policy as a first-layer clarification and a step toward allowing applicants to use the attached exhibits to document their activities. Staff also explained the county’s festival-permit process: events expected to last more than one day or attract more than 250 people are treated as large festivals and must follow the county’s festival application and public-safety coordination procedures.

Staff said existing agritourism activities already operating before the policy take effect (effective June 30) do not need to reapply; the policy will be applied prospectively. Commissioners and staff discussed that the policy aims to preserve rural character while supporting economic development and that staff will accept exhibit submissions and follow up where activities could cause negative impacts to adjoining properties.","County planning staff finalized an internal agritourism policy that defines agritourism, explains exemptions under state code, attaches exhibits for applicants, and clarifies when festival permits are required; staff said the county attorney reviewed the policy and no board action was requested.",{"_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},6159543,"Planning staff reviews county rules for driveways, shared entrances and private-road maintenance",705,367000,1072000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5454446-c2dcb702b5ec2e0d6e16bb8677ae5ce7&start=367&end=1072","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5454446-c2dcb702b5ec2e0d6e16bb8677ae5ce7/thumbnail_367000.jpg","/articles/6159543/Cumberland-County/Virginia/Planning-staff-reviews-county-rules-for-driveways-shared-entrances-and-private-road-maintenance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6159543-5f8f85b1141f5deb022f8f991fb5f41b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773344574&Signature=fQ9T10R4SswQYprxwZJUoyiAPykclWJ6r5u0NfN6b9DccNOZvFrS4z2S0AhPTPDOtX3CU6iQaTNmFYyKdUoTkL4H91A074WwxQgxMAbbAcStV4eSgonVpMlem-l9wDWvOIZVK~I1Vin0q0TdsPm3wLnS82fY3EMloB3p0YccNp6Yr85-Vmq6tH1Gw-nKz6ZYfFzuJ6rp47EDiYQx2WSI-tMRY2CdtIRiqTdVk9a-BJ5Kqj3Z7te9DCpvYILQppDKtluCrsTgzeIGv8pRS0o7Lmi5HJj-~w304w6jg40oYzjosjVUx1ALSxEQp-fH~SgTqfkyBVfd-bLHUgcE4z~MTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Planning Department staff briefed the Cumberland County Planning Commission on county practices for driveways, shared entrances and private-road maintenance, clarifying how the county treats access for subdivisions and when private roads must meet VDOT standards.

Staff told commissioners that a single driveway serves only one lot, a shared entrance serves two lots, and a configuration of three or more lots is treated as a road — public or private. The planning packet and staff explanation include a standard 50-foot easement used to provide legal access and to accommodate utilities; staff said the 50-foot measurement can be positioned to cover existing utilities or existing drive locations at the time of subdivision.

For two-lot shared access, staff said a shared access easement agreement must be recorded at subdivision to establish maintenance responsibility. For private roads, staff said a road maintenance agreement is recorded with the survey at subdivision and generally assigns equal responsibility for maintenance to all property owners unless the agreement specifies otherwise. Staff provided a template agreement but said attorneys for developers can revise it for specific projects.

Staff described the county’s private-road dimensional guidance and thresholds: a private road’s gravel surface must be 16 feet wide from centerline with a 2-foot shoulder and a 2-foot ditch on one side; a private road can serve up to 10 lots, after which the road must be built to VDOT (Virginia Department of Transportation) standards if it is to be considered for acceptance into the secondary state road system. Staff noted that VDOT ultimately decides whether to accept a road into the secondary system.

Commissioners and residents asked operational questions about mailbox placement, contractor referrals for road work and whether the county would maintain certain small private roads such as Carriage Hill Road; staff responded that mailbox placement follows the U.S. Postal Service’s guidance, the department does not currently maintain a contractor list but could research one, and that road maintenance responsibility generally falls to property owners rather than the county. Staff offered to meet individually with residents to research older easements and whether rights are deeded or prescriptive.

No formal changes to the code were proposed at the meeting; staff said they will discuss additional questions at an upcoming workshop and noted they had provided commissioners with template documents and sample agreements in advance.","Planning staff reviewed county practice for driveways, shared access easements and private road maintenance agreements, clarifying a 50-foot easement standard, when a road maintenance agreement is required, and VDOT thresholds for state adoption of private roads.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6159548,"Planning staff asks commission to set Aug. 18 public hearing for Cumberland Fire radio tower permit",56,296000,352000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5454446-c2dcb702b5ec2e0d6e16bb8677ae5ce7&start=296&end=352","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5454446-c2dcb702b5ec2e0d6e16bb8677ae5ce7/thumbnail_296000.jpg","/articles/6159548/Cumberland-County/Virginia/Planning-staff-asks-commission-to-set-Aug-18-public-hearing-for-Cumberland-Fire-radio-tower-permit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6159548-6cd2e402550b45e586ddca5c4315c065/orig.mp4?Expires=1773344574&Signature=VuitYCGPLzIxD31ODY3am~HLATXsbKPfkugxKRmuKn2aSd7nQbgOEZ8gwntx4MZkw9DduoGKI73aiAquknCySOAR135fpc36dsIt5j2xjU8up3TWnrH5mUbnhAvaI9SJ86aUdwvuxspPJFbIzvFVrnEaFvR~Ml~6e2J66F-7YiWtw~AdCG-SM9afB3TsVC0Fb8ZcV~VcRgGPw~7ojUm~sQz-PtJzLjbrX3wGW5lgsjQzNtnj0HIQciVgHWJm5zPKcdaItWGzB1O4imY6YAL~K71vr5Zrp1fg04DIv2~X3mbGO94SJGwccA-mXbIMDk9VJzxskJU-SlccXxzgF~HAiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a Cumberland County Planning Commission meeting, planning staff asked the commission to set a public hearing for Conditional Use Permit 2402 so Cumberland Fire and Emergency Services can seek approval for a radio tower. The commission unanimously approved the motion to set the public hearing for its next regular meeting on Aug. 18.

The planning staff presentation said the request is identified in the agenda as “conditional use permit 2402 for the Cumberland Fire Emergency Services radio tower” and asked the commission to add a public hearing to the August 18 agenda. In response, a commissioner moved to set the hearing and a second was recorded; roll-call votes indicated approval from all present members.

No substantive materials or technical details about the tower’s height, location, or environmental review were provided in the meeting discussion. Planning staff said only that they were asking to set the hearing and did not present a full permit application at this session.

Next steps: the matter will appear as a public hearing item at the commission’s Aug. 18 regular meeting, where the applicant or staff are expected to present the full CUP application and commissioners and the public will have an opportunity to comment.

The meeting record does not show any formal review outcomes beyond the vote to schedule the hearing.","Planning staff requested the Cumberland County Planning Commission set a public hearing Aug. 18 for Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 2402 to allow a radio tower for Cumberland Fire and Emergency Services; commissioners voted to set the hearing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County applies for $25,000 small-area plan grant; staff seeks matching funds to reach $50,000

Applicant requests deferral after board raises traffic and notice concerns for Dollar General rezoning

Planning staff finalizes agritourism policy to clarify exemptions, event permits and liability

Planning staff reviews county rules for driveways, shared entrances and private-road maintenance

Planning staff asks commission to set Aug. 18 public hearing for Cumberland Fire radio tower permit