Warren County Board approves zoning and subdivision text amendments and adopts FY2025–26 budget with library appropriation held

The Warren County Board of Supervisors held multiple public hearings on June 24 and approved text amendments to zoning and subdivision ordinances, and adopted the fiscal year 2025–26 budget with one stated hold on a library appropriation.

Zoning and subdivision code changes

After a public hearing, the board approved a zoning text amendment to allow agricultural pursuits by right in commercial and industrial zoning districts under specified conditions and to require a conditional‑use permit for other agricultural pursuits in those districts. Planning staff said the amendment was requested to align county code with recent changes to chapter 160 regarding rollback taxes. The motion to approve passed on a roll‑call vote (see “Votes at a glance”).

The board also approved technical amendments to the subdivision ordinance to comply with recent changes to the Code of Virginia (changes to Chapter 22 of Title 15.2), which: remove the Planning Commission and governing body as approval authorities for administrative plat review, assign administrative authority to a designated agent (the planning director or designee), shorten time frames for forwarding plats to state agencies and for local reviews, and eliminate the existing subdivision class system. Planning staff said the state changes take effect July 1 and required local ordinance updates; the board moved to adopt the drafted amendments and voted in favor.

A third zoning amendment—to remove the word “subdivision” from certain zoning application requirement lists and to clarify administrative waiver authority for specified application items—was approved after planning staff said the change reflects existing departmental practice and the county attorney’s recommendation. Staff emphasized that the board or planning commission can still require community or environmental impact statements if they determine such a study is needed during a public hearing.

Budget adoption and Chester Gap continuity

The board adopted the fiscal year 2025–26 budget after a public hearing held previously; the motion that passed approved the budget with one change: appropriations totaling $1,024,000 to the Warren County Library Board remain in the adopted budget but are not appropriated at this time. One supervisor voted no on the motion citing disagreement with some funding levels. The roll call is recorded below.

Separately, board leadership said they directed Chief Bonzano to coordinate with the Fire and Emergency Services director of neighboring Rappahannock County on a transition plan and agreed to continue the Chester Gap fire/EMS program through Sept. 30 within the current fire and rescue budget to allow Rappahannock time to reassign resources.

Votes at a glance

- Zoning text amendment — Agricultural pursuits (proposed ordinance: additions to §180‑27 and §180‑28; ordinance number not specified). Outcome: approved. Roll call: Mrs. Cook — aye; Dr. Jamieson — aye; Mr. Chairman — aye; Mr. Stanmeyer — aye; Mrs. Connors — aye.

- Subdivision ordinance text amendments (to conform with Code of Virginia Chapter 22 of Title 15.2). Outcome: approved. Roll call: Mrs. Connors — aye; Mr. Stanmeyer — aye; Mr. Chairman — aye; Dr. Jamieson — aye; Mrs. Cook — aye.

- Zoning text amendment — Application requirements (remove “subdivision” from list; clarify administrative waiver). Outcome: approved. Roll call: Mrs. Cook — aye; Dr. Jamieson — aye; Mr. Chairman — aye; Mr. Stanmeyer — aye; Mrs. Connors — aye.

- FY2025–26 budget adoption and appropriation resolution (Warren County). Outcome: approved with modification to hold $1,024,000 in budget to the Warren County Library Board but not appropriate funds at this time. Motion moved and seconded; roll call: Mrs. Cullors — no; Mr. Stanmeyer — aye; Mr. Chairman — aye; Dr. Jamieson — aye; Mrs. Cook — aye.

What the actions mean

Planning staff said the subdivision ordinance changes are ministerial steps required by state law effective July 1; the planning director (or designee) will exercise administrative authority for plat reviews and will be subject to the expedited time frames described in the updated ordinance (examples cited by staff: a final plat review action within 60 days, 40 days if only commercial or residential; forwarding to state agencies within 5 days; administrator acting within 20 days after state approvals; resubmission review windows of 45 and 30 days).

On environmental and community impact statements, staff told the board that removing the phrase about “no specific use or structure being requested” from the waiver language better aligns with department practice; the board may still table and require additional studies during a hearing if members determine that is necessary.

The board recorded no ordinance numbers or statute sections for the zoning amendments in the on‑record motion; where the transcript did not provide an ordinance number the articles above mark that information as not specified.

The board’s action to continue Chester Gap services to Sept. 30 was described as a transition plan executed within the current fire and rescue budget; staff will return to the board with further updates as appropriate.

No additional public hearing comments were recorded during the votes described above.