Supervisor discussion: property owner asks board for one‑time waiver from road‑naming rule after GIS reveals long‑standing platted right‑of‑way

At the work session a Shenandoah Farms property owner asked the Board of Supervisors to waive a county road‑naming/address rule that would change his street address after GIS staff identified a platted right‑of‑way and a third house that would trigger the county—s road‑naming procedure.

What staff explained: county GIS staff told the board that the county—s addressing rules require assigning a road name when a platted right‑of‑way serves three or more dwellings; historically GIS did not show the old platted right‑of‑way on the county maps when earlier houses were permitted, but a newly submitted building permit for a third dwelling revealed the recorded plat and triggered the addressing rule. Staff said the purpose of the ordinance is to support mail delivery, E‑911 dispatch accuracy and computerized addressing practices, and that the county receives periodic reports from the state identifying addressing issues.

Property owner—s concern: the homeowner said changing his address would cause administrative burden and cost (driver—s license, tax records, utility accounts, insurance, postal service, veterans— benefits and other federal/state records) and requested the board waive the road‑naming requirement for this right‑of‑way so the new house could be addressed off Dogwood Farm Road instead of renaming the short segment.

Staff alternatives and recommended fixes: county staff offered near‑term and longer‑term options. Near term, staff said the board could grant a one‑time waiver or direct staff to address the house off Dogwood Farm Road for this permit; staff said it could place a waiver on next week—s agenda if at least three board members asked. Longer term, staff proposed an ordinance amendment to name or address an old platted right‑of‑way when the first building permit is issued so the problem would not recur; staff also suggested improving GIS procedures to check historic plats earlier in the permitting process.

Emergency services and addressing accuracy: Fire/EMS representatives and GIS staff told the board that addressing standards and clear signage reduce the risk of misrouting during an emergency. County staff said the addressing system also populates the computer‑aided dispatch system that identifies response units.

Board action: several supervisors asked staff to put a waiver request for the specific permit on next week—s agenda; the chair asked staff to coordinate with the county attorney on the precise language. Supervisors also directed staff to study a code change so future permits on platted right‑of‑way would be handled before construction begins.

Ending: staff will prepare a waiver request for the next board meeting on the specific permit if three supervisors formally request it, and will draft proposed code language and changes to GIS permit checks to avoid similar surprises in the future.