Buckingham planning commission forwards draft comprehensive plan to Board of Supervisors

The Buckingham County Planning Commission voted unanimously to forward a near-final draft of the county comprehensive plan to the Buckingham County Board of Supervisors and asked the board to consider a joint public hearing in March.

The vote followed a presentation by planning staff and a brief discussion about final tasks needed before publication. Tyler, a planning staff member, told commissioners the draft is essentially complete and listed finishing tasks including an acknowledgments page, table of contents, indices for tables and maps, and appended materials such as the citizen survey report and community meeting summaries.

The commission agreed staff should prepare a finalized, printable copy for the Board of Supervisors’ packet. Commissioner John Bickford, chairman, opened and closed the motion sequence, and staff member Nikki confirmed the draft incorporates changes through April 2024. Commissioners asked that printed copies be made available for public review between the advertisement of the hearing and the hearing date at locations such as the county administration building, the library and other public offices. Josh and other commissioners suggested also posting the plan and a QR code on the county website and county Facebook page to broaden public access.

Tyler said the planning staff will add section cover pages, correct formatting, and gather photos; he told the commission the final materials could be ready for the Board of Supervisors’ February packet. The commission discussed timing for a joint public hearing; if the Board of Supervisors places the item on its March agenda, the joint hearing could be scheduled for March 24 at the planning commission’s meeting.

The commission approved a motion to forward the draft plan to the Board of Supervisors and recommended the board consider a joint public hearing. Chairman John Bickford announced the vote "That went unanimously."