Planning commission amends comprehensive plan to list road improvements for Smart Scale funding consideration

The Washington County Planning Commission voted unanimously to amend the county comprehensive plan to add a slate of road and intersection improvements so the county may pursue VDOT Smart Scale funding and other planning steps.

Mr. Richardson explained the amendment is largely procedural: VDOT requires that proposed road improvements be included in the jurisdiction’s comprehensive plan before the agency will consider them for Smart Scale or add them to the six‑year plan. The projects listed in the proposed amendment include improvements to State Route 647 (King Mill Pike) and State Route 867 (Jordan Lane) connected with a residential subdivision, and several intersection improvement projects involving State Route 75 (Green Springs Road) and State Route 91 (Maplewood Street) at US Route 11 (Lee Highway), among others.

Richardson said required traffic studies and any developer‑specified improvements — for example, turn lanes or lane widening where VDOT deems them necessary — would be the developer’s responsibility when they pursue entrance permits and VDOT agreements. He cautioned that Smart Scale applications are competitive and funding is not guaranteed; even approved projects can be delayed or unfunded depending on rankings and available funds.

The commission opened the public hearing for the amendment and recorded no public speakers. A commission member moved to approve the amendment and the vote was unanimous. The commission noted the Board of Supervisors will ratify the commission’s action at its next meeting.

The amendment allows the county to submit applications or otherwise pursue VDOT funding and formalizes the county’s intent to seek those specific improvements.