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Board names designated agent and alternate to review subdivision plats after state law change
Summary
Following a July 1 state law change removing planning commissions from certain site-plan reviews, the Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 25 designated Chris Laden as the county’s agent to review subdivision plats and named Deputy Zoning Administrator Neil Woodmore as alternate.
Rockbridge County supervisors adopted a resolution Aug. 25 naming a designated agent to review subdivision plats and site plans, a role newly required by state law effective July 1 that removes the planning commission from that review responsibility.
Why the story matters: the change shifts formal review authority from the planning commission to an appointed designated agent, altering the administrative path for subdivision and site-plan approvals in the county.
County staff explained that the state law now requires governing bodies to appoint a designated agent to review subdivision plats submitted to the zoning administrator. Staff reported that Chris Laden agreed to serve as the designated agent and suggested Neil Woodmore, the deputy zoning administrator, as the alternate. The board moved to adopt the resolution and voted to designate those individuals. Staff advised the board that the appointment is required by law and that, if the designated agents are unable to serve, the board would need to name replacements.
The board’s action was recorded as adopted; the transcript does not show further discussion about procedural details such as appeal rights or how the designated agent’s decisions will be integrated into existing permitting workflows. The county attorney advised the board on naming individuals rather than office-holders to ensure clarity of authority under the statute.
