Board adopts text amendments to special‑use permit procedures after public comment on legal authority

The Grayson County Board of Supervisors approved text amendments to Section 5‑11 of the county zoning ordinance governing special‑use permits after a public hearing and a planning commission recommendation.

Planning staff said the amendments were requested by the board to clarify and streamline the county’s special‑use permit procedures, to give the board more flexibility to account for topography and physical constraints, and to reduce environmental impacts through mitigation measures. The planning commission reviewed the revisions at its August meeting and, after a September 16 public hearing with no public speakers on the text change, recommended approval by a 7–0 vote.

Jay Hudson, a Collinsville resident who said he also serves on the Henry County Board of Zoning Appeals, urged caution and read sections of state code aloud. “Section 15.2‑2201 of the Virginia Code defines a variance, which this seems like — you're proposing what amounts to a variance,” Hudson said. “Section 15.2‑2309 says that authority resides with the local board of zoning appeals. It doesn't reside with the board of supervisors.”

Planning staff responded that these amendments are limited to special‑use permits and that variances remain within the jurisdiction of the board of zoning appeals; staff said the text had been reviewed by the county attorney. “Legally, it has been vetted by our county attorney because this is just for special‑use permits,” the staff summary said, and the board moved forward with approval.

The board voted to adopt the text amendments; the chair called a roll call and the measure passed with recorded affirmative votes. The amendments were described in the board packet; staff offered to read additional proposed text if the board wished. The record does not show any amendments made on the floor at the meeting.