[{"_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",[32,75,86,98,110],{"_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":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6147061,"mediaKeyId","5522567-6153808f37426e1b25d4e9b297f2fd79","parentId",5522567,"title","Planning commission seeks legal review as commission considers agritourism, solar farms and waterfront lot-size rules","audioSeconds",231,"startMs",2645000,"endMs",2876000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5522567-6153808f37426e1b25d4e9b297f2fd79&start=2645&end=2876","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5522567-6153808f37426e1b25d4e9b297f2fd79/thumbnail_2645000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6147061/Mathews-County/Virginia/Planning-commission-seeks-legal-review-as-commission-considers-agritourism-solar-farms-and-waterfront-lot-size-rules","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147061-1cc9807f2e92fb90cf9e0ef5ff509fad/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114483&Signature=iUQRwKJ23JKcnhKhokbhuPjS42L~2pmRLI23LDWQ6OrL3PlhrS6mDGjH5s5f~RyL2zVes8WUgHgjmux3PtPonN58Dg6z2t7XACbhyPPQLei24EaRgz9hzhiaIYWHHg-6gC0zykYh72aIG00AbxunS3hqktMMZwC9MSGxeQLFMIwVaMz8WYlYv31MwcuUoYuypw9X8R88IPm1V~eYMA4eOg1Ck9Olr5QQAE0gTOYJR-FoYE9K-pj4DX-VZll7UpdjcEGpK0H4yiVGoGC1VQVK4SC5QR18n9VbArf8vsQ2FyoUNk0NfWVm9X17YuINsFZRFZGCpC-qp03h0j~1AGFHkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Matthews County, VA","date","2025-08-01T15:09:05.287Z","article","Matthews County planning staff reported July 17 that the planning commission voted to recommend adopting state code language regarding agritourism and asked staff to prepare a county ordinance to allow solar farms by right in specified zoning areas.

Why it matters: Zoning changes on agritourism and solar could affect farmland uses and renewable-energy siting. Planning staff told supervisors they would involve the county attorney, county administrator and planning commission chair in drafting recommendations to address possible legal issues.

The planning commission also asked for outside counsel funding after an 8-0 vote to seek legal guidance on subdivision and zoning questions; commissioners said the proposed subdivision of the Hole in the Wall parcel raised complexity because county minimum lot-size rules for waterfront business (one-acre minimum) make typical subdivision difficult without exemptions.

Supervisor discussion highlighted tradeoffs: one supervisor urged reconsidering the one-acre minimum for waterfront businesses, saying it restricts economic development and comparing nearby counties that used checklist-style requirements (septic, parking, water) rather than large minimum parcels. Planning staff said subdividing the subject parcel likely would create a more nonconforming lot and that an exemption from zoning and subdivision requirements would be necessary to subdivide under current rules.

Staff recommended that the board consider the planning commission\u0000s recommendations in a future public hearing and to authorize drafting proposed ordinances for review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","7.31.2025","oneSentenceSummary","The planning commission has recommended adopting state agritourism code provisions and asked staff to draft a zoning ordinance to allow solar farms by right; commissioners also requested outside legal counsel to address subdivision and waterfront zoning questions.","taxTitle","Mathews County, Virginia","taxId",73645,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":42,"_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":73,"_74":73},6147066,"Sheriff seeks grant for school resource officers, reports radio outages and requests support for equipment costs",4296000,4527000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5522567-6153808f37426e1b25d4e9b297f2fd79&start=4296&end=4527","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5522567-6153808f37426e1b25d4e9b297f2fd79/thumbnail_4296000.jpg","/articles/6147066/Mathews-County/Virginia/Sheriff-seeks-grant-for-school-resource-officers-reports-radio-outages-and-requests-support-for-equipment-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147066-3184d4cf484b28df5e1fdc8669a7fd53/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114483&Signature=ILrZ6Kry9ZuDdC9gL65rLmbWKeczBUT84PFlBYTguGd9sutLuYfCBRxF2mpdJCJHxVdNvoH46g0-q1~-j501Ghr2O7QyGxjbdCnKHpKpfl5t466m02jNaFkdM~Q5~7zlNPfP967txTpoZT6AKSfGp9enL6z2TakzBk-As5YJq2eLJM9Yb7~SouxLRYSbeO7Z~dhLRZrWDuFETF32iieVx6ZZ8LoNN9Vh9IKh5BDkoPUyBCuWjkgJwvBgyu27UbFIaGWKvBOuLa1KTCCFCYrTSsfkUGmi5~JZWdi6oM89pdW52AlWb4c6j6l1meqbatr5FC-ac8fzALvRrT7n~mg59w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Matthews County\u0000s sheriff told supervisors July 17 that she had completed a SRO (school resource officer) grant application and requested the board\u0000s approval to submit it; the board voted to allow the sheriff to apply.

The sheriff told the board the grant would fund two SRO positions for county schools, but the award requires a local cash match. She presented a total project cost of $362,213, with a county cash-match estimate of $210,457 and anticipated grant proceeds of about $148,356. The figures assume the grant is awarded and the county provides required matching funds; the grant window was noted to have an application deadline in mid-August.

Why it matters: SRO positions affect school safety plans and county staffing budgets. The sheriff said recent weeks had seen more than 20 arrests and about 80 charged offenses in the county, increasing demand for deputies and school safety coverage.

The sheriff said some grant-funded equipment would be covered and noted that body-worn cameras, firearms and vehicles have specific funding rules: body cameras could be included in the grant, but firearms and vehicles typically require county-provided funds. She said one-time outfitting costs would be concentrated in the first year; afterward the county would bear the ongoing salary portion estimated at the local composite index share (about 59.59 percent). The sheriff said the earliest hires under the grant would likely be in January because the program operates on a calendar-year schedule.

The sheriff also reported operational problems: a recent internet outage from the county\u0000s ISP, Breezeline, disrupted 911-center systems and created a short-term communications risk that county staff said needs mitigation.

Inmates and community work crews were discussed as a way to address grounds and facility needs. The sheriff said inmates earn about a dollar a day for supervised work and that some work has been funded from asset-forfeiture funds or private partnerships for litter pickup and other tasks.

Board action: The board voted to allow the sheriff to submit the SRO grant application and to authorize staff to review county budget options for potential matching funds if the grant is awarded. No appropriation was approved at the meeting; supervisors asked the sheriff to continue coordination with the school division on staffing and funding assumptions.","The sheriff informed the board that a SRO grant application was completed and requested authorization to submit it; the application would fund two SRO positions with a county cash match. The sheriff also reported recent arrests, discussed using inmate crews for grounds work and warned of radio and internet outages affecting emergency dispatch.",{"_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":73,"_74":73},6147071,"County broadband board reports progress on cell-tower leases; Hudgens site expected live within months",224,3564000,3788000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5522567-6153808f37426e1b25d4e9b297f2fd79&start=3564&end=3788","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5522567-6153808f37426e1b25d4e9b297f2fd79/thumbnail_3564000.jpg","/articles/6147071/Mathews-County/Virginia/County-broadband-board-reports-progress-on-cell-tower-leases-Hudgens-site-expected-live-within-months","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147071-61dfa8fd345bc3c65c4f1468e3b10b8d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114483&Signature=ViITpmXl4Svvn4PgyAYWJy6VbQYbiDs2eCTXy~t2bS3is2MhaDGZmmKcvzMG4llwZ9P-bKpoxRqAq3vU3FOFZJVznieMeaB284E7VXb4cZ-TrqPsegKaoOCOAAK0nTtKXdjvE-PkCOA42M0Kbm77R78TtLENFAI~oOPuFIu3Ns0fiRzp9m91Jqg8po~dkFC2spwH0bKduLoajX9vkIShkxbfcr-suknEqJ4sFl99INglPYaCQkFcztzq-h77uYF9ueJnD5jofVzM5uc2sg9QF3DDQ0MMyqKSUz2YMlRbUiBEHa9jE3I-Jk9vovaeorD8AuGIFuobw8-JhtUaOdo40g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Matthews County\u0000s Broadband Advisory Board reported July 17 that work to bring T-Mobile and Verizon service to county-owned towers is underway and will generate recurring lease revenue that is not real-estate tax income.

The board said contractors completed antenna-framework work at one tower and that climbers had finished tower installation elsewhere. A speaker said the local Hudgens tower was on track for a three-month schedule to finish and go live; another county tower (referred to as Mulhannon) was estimated at about six months. The Lohan tower was also reported to be under construction with Verizon equipment scheduled to be installed.

Why it matters: Expanding carrier equipment on county towers increases cellular coverage for residents and produces lease revenue that can support county services; the county also noted improved public-safety communications as a priority.

County staff said the project would use the same licensing template the county negotiated with Verizon and that an RFI (request for information) for other carriers would follow. The board expects increased service and revenue once the equipment is live and reminded the public that some dead spots should be reduced when antennas go into service.

The board also acknowledged intermittent internet outages during vendor work and urged continued work to secure resilient backhaul; one speaker said the county\u0000s current ISP, Breezeline, had experienced a failure that affected emergency dispatch during the meeting day, underscoring the need for alternative connectivity routes.

No formal board action was required; staff will continue negotiations and the permitting process with carriers and report construction milestones to the board.","Matthews County\u0000s Broadband Advisory Board reported progress installing cellular equipment on county towers and negotiating lease agreements with major carriers, with Hudgens tower expected to go live in roughly three months and Mulhannon in about six months.",{"_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":73,"_74":73},6147074,"Matthews County authorizes contract negotiations for 2027 reassessment; Cohen recommended",400,6320000,6720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5522567-6153808f37426e1b25d4e9b297f2fd79&start=6320&end=6720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5522567-6153808f37426e1b25d4e9b297f2fd79/thumbnail_6320000.jpg","/articles/6147074/Mathews-County/Virginia/Matthews-County-authorizes-contract-negotiations-for-2027-reassessment-Cohen-recommended","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147074-5d2c1f7998d8433ea0011ad737910294/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114483&Signature=oWFWIrYkHda3ajbTjTB5NBINgnANGn5pFC-qPeQyfZMsmY2bi29KuDB2pcs35wFja45czKbO39XBSwrxdmQUGTfsm71CknlkGcW83GexfGzsP9BBpJ2YxMxNvqCD-wabom~mLtLH6V9ZOft-sWYQdtUy4epXbI6y1s0WOvyOBVeT45P51McZpjNRedTXOtjDY7EVoUQZEpwA4HwZVPe1mCJnBuTgrC4lv3VbizsNaeIrVb9rHT1vCTz307P6DGB9QN~ImSbZf-4g6yD3eQGNhL1D0E~fo9TvUmqOqMUzy383Nx8TI1lTSjcukwMurkXDhxLFhHsGRCrvwtzkEvo~9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Matthews County supervisors authorized the county administrator July 17 to enter contract negotiations for a 2027 property reassessment after a joint procurement with Middlesex and King and Queen counties.

County staff said two vendors submitted proposals: Vision and Cohen. The evaluation committee recommended Cohen based on price and the vendor interviews. Cohen\u0000s proposal for Matthews County was $278,730; Vision\u0000s proposal was $307,351. The committee included administrators and commissioners of revenue from the participating counties and a board member from each locality.

Why it matters: Reassessment changes taxable values for property owners and can affect county revenue and tax bills. State law requires a four-year reassessment interval unless the locality has adopted a different schedule.

County staff told the board the RFP required no commitment at the solicitation stage; each locality would sign a separate contract with the selected company. The county attorney agreed to draft and review a contract for Matthews County if the board directed staff to proceed.

Supervisor discussion focused on costs and the potential benefits of regional procurement. A board member said the Cohen proposal appeared to offer a lower risk of repeating problems from the prior reassessment because the previous assessor had joined the Vision team. The board voted to authorize the county administrator to pursue contract negotiations and return a contract for legal review and approval.

Next steps: Staff will work with the county attorney to draft a contract for board review. The county indicated it expects to meet the schedule needed to complete reassessments by the 2027 deadline if negotiations proceed.","After a multi-jurisdiction RFP, a county evaluation committee recommended Cohen for the upcoming reassessment and the Board authorized the county administrator to enter contract negotiations subject to attorney review.",{"_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":73,"_74":73},6147079,"Matthews County holds public hearing on future of Hole in the Wall after long lease dispute and permit questions",2337,0,2337000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5522567-6153808f37426e1b25d4e9b297f2fd79&start=0&end=2337","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5522567-6153808f37426e1b25d4e9b297f2fd79/thumbnail_0.jpg","/articles/6147079/Mathews-County/Virginia/Matthews-County-holds-public-hearing-on-future-of-Hole-in-the-Wall-after-long-lease-dispute-and-permit-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147079-8f06cf82de4dec7bfc574ef91ff0d7b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114483&Signature=SnuqEw368TgBcVwoIut8-f1ce181K5A1OLe7rgKu3jYcsaWvwmTNnT~6idtGVNf~VsRq6C~V~J9emSaZk5Tf2wymMso6Xoh3rK~vuad5S5~KSwCUeobxYMAiMoIDcLhYD57OGfua3lmU18Ayt-H9uAFCdFVmCBQuWNEEwG9DzZkhYSelet~ocS5~tJmxIVdIBnd4NI8iMgJNgSN9zcIVYNGe~WqR678wSMbT3NNvLogOYIpyde~1sGlMnK-9l68WgWDv9yQ9iUyZua5FmHcTmGMijBbATOcaJanMCrVin3ub600CWHGBvdtpoUThN9gTADzLpkkC7xlt4CXpkEBsWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Matthews County Board of Supervisors opened a public hearing July 17 on whether to sell or otherwise dispose of the structure known locally as the Hole in the Wall waterfront restaurant at 384 Old Ferry Road.

The hearing followed months of dispute between the county and the tenant, Michael Cassell, over invoices for rent, pump-and-haul septic reimbursements and flood-insurance costs, and after public commenters raised concerns about structural and septic system problems, past deed history and possible forged permit signatures connected to renovations.

Why it matters: The property sits on Gwynns Island and has been the focus of litigation and administrative disputes dating to a quick-claim deed and sale the county described as occurring for $30,000 decades earlier. Neighbors, the tenant and county staff disagree about what the county told the tenant and about whether proper invoices were issued before the county moved to terminate the lease; those disagreements affect decisions about repair costs, environmental risk and whether to sell the structure or the underlying parcel.

Most of the public commenters urged the county to preserve public water access. Jeff Baldrige, a longtime resident, told the board he opposed selling any portion of the parcel and said he had seen no structural damage when the last tenant removed items in 2016. \"I believe raising this building was beneficial, but not necessary to continue operating the restaurant,\" Baldrige said. He urged a referendum if the county considered selling the parcel.

Several commenters detailed alleged septic failures and repeated pump-and-haul discharges into local waterways. Paul Gibson, who submitted written comments, wrote that the septic \"cannot support the stress of a fully operational kitchen and restaurant facilities\" and urged the county to convert the site to a public boat ramp with ample parking.

County staff and the accounting analyst presented a timeline of billing and correspondence. Staff said multiple invoices\u0000for pump-and-haul reimbursement, flood-insurance reimbursement and an adjusted rent amount based on the lease\u0000were emailed or otherwise provided in early June, and that the tenant paid the amounts listed on the June 2 statement the same day by a single check. The accounting analyst said she conveyed to the board that a full response to the tenant\u0000s June 3 questions would come by June 20 but that staff was later told to hold off at the county attorney\u0000s direction.

Board members discussed legal limits on selling county property and the scope of the public hearing. A county attorney advised that state law requires a public hearing before a board can commit to selling real property, and the hearing was framed as whether to sell the structure at 384 Old Ferry Street or any combination of structure and land. Some supervisors repeatedly emphasized that the motion on the floor pertained to the structure only, while other supervisors said citizens could comment on the full parcel during the hearing.

Attorney Matt Jenkins, speaking as a private citizen, urged the board to review the lease\u0000which he said contains a tenant right of first refusal and a $126,000 purchase credit that could limit other purchasers while the lease remains in effect. Jenkins also said a termination of the lease may require notice of default and a 30-day cure period before a termination is effective.

Board deliberations emphasized deferred action pending related legal and factual matters. Several supervisors said they were not prepared to decide on any sale and suggested waiting for an October court hearing on the merits of the tenant dispute; one board member estimated that continuing pump-and-haul costs could reach about $400,000 over eight years under current trends. Others proposed immediate remediation: replacing failed septic tanks, repairing water infiltration to reduce recurring pump-and-haul expense, and seeking specific cost estimates for those repairs.

The public hearing record included written comments raising concerns about possible forged signatures on prior building permit applications and contractor licensing issues tied to C.W. Hudgens. County staff presented an e-mailed claim from an owner at 410 South Union that the signature on a previously submitted zoning application was not theirs, and the county confirmed it is looking into those allegations for potential referral to law enforcement; the board later considered, but did not adopt at that meeting, a separate resolution to publicize alleged permit irregularities.

No formal action to sell or transfer the property was taken at the July 17 meeting. The board held the hearing, accepted public comment, and directed staff to obtain further information about septic repair costs, legal status of the lease and any pending litigation. Several supervisors said they preferred to wait for the court to resolve the lease existence and related matters before final decisions on sale or marketing of the property.

For now, the county\u0000s options under discussion include contracting to market the structure, replacing the septic tanks and re-listing the structure for lease if the county retains ownership, or pursuing sale of some interest only after clearing legal and procedural requirements. The board did not set a timeline for next steps before the meeting adjourned.","Board of Supervisors opened a public hearing July 17 on whether to sell or otherwise dispose of the structure known as the Hole in the Wall waterfront restaurant at 384 Old Ferry Road amid disputes over invoices, pump-and-haul sewage costs, a tenant\u0000s right of first refusal and possible permit irregularities.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning commission seeks legal review as commission considers agritourism, solar farms and waterfront lot-size rules

Sheriff seeks grant for school resource officers, reports radio outages and requests support for equipment costs

County broadband board reports progress on cell-tower leases; Hudgens site expected live within months

Matthews County authorizes contract negotiations for 2027 reassessment; Cohen recommended

Matthews County holds public hearing on future of Hole in the Wall after long lease dispute and permit questions