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Commission seeks joint meeting with supervisors and VDOT after discussion of subdivision and entrance rules
Summary
Planning staff summarized a VDOT conversation on entrance approvals and functional rights‑of‑way, noting VDOT typically issues initial review memos within two weeks but may require traffic studies; the commission voted to request a joint meeting with the Board of Supervisors and to invite VDOT to discuss subdivision ordinance changes.
Planning staff briefed the Page County Planning Commission on a recent conversation with Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) staff about subdivision of land and entrance approvals and recommended further discussion with the Board of Supervisors and VDOT.
Staff told the commission that VDOT generally issues initial entrance review memos within two weeks and estimated that “99% of the time” that two‑week window is met; staff cautioned that reviews can take longer when VDOT requires additional documentation such as speed studies, traffic analyses or a turn‑lane analysis that must be prepared by an engineer. The presentation also summarized VDOT guidance that new roads intended to be part of the secondary state highway system typically need a minimum dedicated width of 40 feet (30 feet only in extenuating circumstances) and that VDOT prefers new roads be public when they serve three or more private residences.
Commissioners and staff discussed tradeoffs between recognizing functional rights‑of‑way and preserving future opportunities for subdivision. One commissioner said adopting a smaller functional right‑of‑way could constrain later subdivision unless planners anticipate future lot counts and include appropriate deed language. Staff recommended a joint meeting with the Board of Supervisors and invited the possibility of a VDOT representative attending to answer technical questions.
The commission voted to request a joint meeting with the Board of Supervisors to discuss subdivision, land‑division and VDOT entrance issues and asked staff to coordinate dates and invite relevant VDOT personnel. Staff said it will report back and incorporate Board feedback into any proposed ordinance drafts.
