School board appeals building-permit denial for Pocahontas Landmark Center and agrees to joint talks with supervisors

Powhatan County School Board members voted to appeal the county building official’s denial of permit 742-2025 for the Pocahontas Landmark Center and agreed to begin cross‑board meetings with supervisors to evaluate the building’s future.

The board made the appeal motion during the open meeting after discussions about the building’s condition, grant eligibility and community interest. "I make a motion to appeal the county building official denial, permit 742‑2025, with the county’s local board of building code appeals," a board member said during the motion.

The board then debated a separate, higher‑profile proposal from a member who urged placing the question on an upcoming election ballot so “each voter [could] speak representing their individual thoughts.” That ballot proposal drew immediate legal pushback from the board’s legal advisor, who said local referendum placement of the kind proposed would require statutory or charter authority and could be not permitted under Virginia law. The board did not place any referendum on the ballot at this meeting.

Why it matters: the Pocahontas Landmark Center is an emotional, historic and controversial asset in county discussions. Board members and residents argued about preservation, repair costs and the proper…