Votes at a glance: supervisors approve zoning text amendment, grant support, rezoning, budget adjustments and an appointment

The Dinwiddie County Board of Supervisors took several formal actions during its Jan. 21 meeting. Here are the measures approved and key details from the meeting record.

• Rail Industrial Access grant: The board approved a resolution supporting an application by Agronutrients (Grinco Minerals Inc.) for a Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) Rail Industrial Access grant, with a support resolution up to $750,000. The resolution was approved by roll call; the clerk recorded “all voting aye.” The resolution is nonbinding with respect to later grant acceptance and does not itself commit county funds beyond the statement of support.

• Zoning text amendment A‑24‑1 (Emerging Technologies District): Supervisors approved amendments to the zoning ordinance to establish an Emerging Technologies District (ETD), add associated conditional uses (research/experimental technology center, science and technology center, data center warehouse and on‑site electric generating facilities) and correct Section 22‑6. The amendment passed on roll call vote with all members recorded as voting in the affirmative.

• Rezoning P‑24‑11 (Airport Road): After continuing the case in December to allow the applicant to revise proffers, the board approved the rezoning with the newly submitted proffer that requires the rear portion of the property to be accessed only through Lot 11 (the commercial entrance from Airport Road). The applicant signed the amended proffers and informed staff he could not attend because of illness; the property owner of Lot 10 told staff she was satisfied with the amended proffers. The rezoning passed on a roll call vote; the minutes record “all voting aye.”

• FY24 fund‑balance reappropriations and budget amendment (Resolution): The board held a public hearing and approved a set of year‑end budget adjustments to true up FY24 fund balances, special revenue funds, and school revenues and transfers. The packet noted a decrease of $4,200 in the general fund tied to escheat/equipment revenues and the appropriation of about $2.6 million in state revenues to the school system that were received after the original budget. The board approved the resolution by roll call; the minutes record “all voting aye.” Several supervisors read and filed statements at the meeting noting potential conflicts (for example, two supervisors said a spouse is employed by the Dinwiddie County School Board) and confirmed they could participate in the vote objectively.

• Appointment to District 19 Community Services Board: The board appointed Sherlyn Merritt to the District 19 Community Services Board by roll call vote; the minutes record “all voting aye.”

Formal motion language used in the record generally followed statutory language for public necessity, convenience, general welfare and good zoning practice (citing Virginia Code sections 15.2‑2285 and 15.2‑2286(A)(7) for zoning actions). All recorded roll calls in the minutes for these items show unanimous “aye” votes by the members present.

Votes recorded in the public minutes: Doctor Mark E. Moore — yes; Miss Eberon Bonner — yes; Casey M. Dooley — yes; Daniel D. Lee — yes. The clerk’s minutes for each motion reflect the standard roll‑call procedure used in the meeting.

What the approvals mean: The rail grant resolution expresses local support needed for a DRPT application but does not itself obligate county funds unless the county later authorizes them. The ETD text amendment adds a conditional‑use pathway for certain technology and data facilities, meaning future projects in the district would come back to the board under conditional‑use review. The Airport Road rezoning relies on the applicant’s proffer limiting rear access to Lot 11. The FY24 budget adjustments realign fund balances and school revenues after the fiscal year closed.

The board closed the meeting after a certification of the closed session and adjourned to the scheduled public hearing time later in the evening.