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Middlesex moves to amend subdivision rules after state code change; public hearing set for July
Summary
Middlesex County planning staff told supervisors June 3 that a state law change effective July 1 removes planning commissions and boards from routine review of by-right site plans and subdivisions; the board voted to initiate required local ordinance amendments and set a public hearing for July 8.
The Middlesex County Board of Supervisors voted June 3 to initiate an amendment to the county’s subdivision ordinance to comply with recent changes in the Code of Virginia that remove planning commissions and boards from review of by-right site plans and subdivisions.
Mister Kretz, planning staff, told the board that state code revisions effective July 1 transfer routine site-plan and subdivision review for by-right actions away from the planning commission and board and toward staff-level reviews, with a shorter review timeline designed to speed approvals. "Code of Virginia has changed that. They've removed the planning commission and the board of supervisors from the ability to review site plans and subdivisions," Kretz said.
The change does not affect special-exception or conditional-use reviews, Kretz added, and does not alter time limitations on previously approved subdivisions. He said the county will amend both the subdivision ordinance and related zoning provisions; staff recommended initiating the housekeeping amendments so Middlesex will comply with state law.
Supervisor Jesse moved to authorize staff to initiate the amendment; Supervisor Bill Harris seconded the motion. The roll-call vote was unanimous. Planning staff said a public hearing will be scheduled for the July 8 meeting to comply with state code timelines.
Planning staff emphasized this is a procedural change for by-right site plans and subdivisions intended to streamline review timelines and does not change public-hearing requirements for special exceptions or uses that still require commission or board review. The board’s action starts the local ordinance change process required to align county procedures with the state code update.
