Supervisors pause zoning map-amendment application and debate neighborhood notice practices

The Buckingham County Board of Supervisors voted to delay accepting a zoning map amendment application so the supervisor representing the district can gather additional information and consult adjoining property owners.

Zoning administrator Emerson reported that an individual had inquired about rezoning a property in southern Buckingham from A-1 (Agricultural) to C-1 (Agricultural Comprehensive), likely for an intensive confined livestock operation such as a layer-chicken house. The board was asked whether it wanted the zoning office to accept the application and send it to the planning commission for review, public hearing and recommendation.

Because the parcel lies in a supervisor’s district and that supervisor said this was the first notice he had received, the board moved and seconded to hold off so the supervisor could contact adjoining landowners and obtain more details. The motion passed by voice vote.

Board members then discussed public-notice practices for special-use permits and zoning map amendments. A member asked why applicant-posted signs were not consistently erected; staff said a policy adopted about two and a half years ago makes sign posting a courtesy and that the county does not monitor sign placement. Staff said notices by mail to adjoining property owners and publication in the Farmville Herald are sent and that failure to send required letters could affect the application, but failure to place signs under current policy does not halt the process. Some supervisors emphasized that signs help neighbors learn about pending applications and urged more consistent posting by applicants.

The board did not direct staff to change the notice policy at this meeting; the action taken was limited to delaying acceptance of the specific zoning application pending local outreach by the district supervisor.