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Utilities staff to move mandatory connection rules into zoning districts under ZOMOD
Summary
County utilities staff proposed moving mandatory water and wastewater connection requirements from Chapter 18 of the county code into the zoning ordinance (ZOMOD), aligning connection obligations with zoning districts and simplifying exception requests under one process.
Utilities staff told the Board that mandatory connection requirements for water and wastewater—currently codified in Chapter 18 of the county code—should be reassigned to ZOMOD’s zoning districts so connection obligations and exception processes are handled in the zoning process.
Staff said residential lot subdivisions in much of the county are required to connect to public water and wastewater systems under current code, but the southwestern portion of the county is excluded from residential mandatory connections. Utilities staff cited Chesdin Landing and Highlands as examples of subdivisions that use septic systems. On the nonresidential side, staff said properties in certain mapped areas must connect regardless of current zoning; the CVS at Hull Street and Baldwin Creek was cited as an example of a nonresidential site on septic across from public water.
Under the proposed approach, each ZOMOD district would indicate whether connection is required; exception requests would be handled during the zoning review so utilities, planning staff and the board see a single consolidated record rather than separate chapter‑18 exception filings. Utilities staff said they will continue to review exceptions and vet connection plans as part of zoning cases.
Board members raised questions about fire protection in unserved rural areas and county water‑supply infrastructure. Utilities staff and the fire‑service representative noted drafting sites, dry hydrants and transmission lines that supply hydrants and tanker‑refill corridors. Staff noted the Appomattox River Water Authority supplies water (staff cited a 96,000,000‑gallon‑per‑day plant) and that major transmission mains can move large volumes and are extended as development occurs.
No final action to move Chapter 18 requirements into ZOMOD was recorded in the transcript; staff said the change will remove duplication and place connection requirements in the zoning ordinance where they can be considered with rezoning and exception requests.
