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Planning director reports steady housing starts; board weighs returning wetlands permit review to state
Summary
Planning Director reported steady single-family starts and a small spike in 2024 tied to a subdivision; board discussed Chesapeake Bay Act adjustments and asked staff to prepare a report on whether to retain the local wetlands board or return responsibilities to the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.
Planning Director Mr. Kretz told the Middlesex County Board of Supervisors that overall development activity is roughly in line with recent years and highlighted single-family housing starts as a local economic indicator. He said the county recorded 46 single-family starts in 2023 and 97 in 2024, attributing the 2024 spike to a subdivision adjacent to the golf course. Administrative variances and wetlands applications fluctuate year-to-year, he said, but no rezoning cases were active this past year.
Mr. Kretz also addressed the Chesapeake Bay Act and related Shoreline/shoreland code changes. He said staff has sent an ordinance draft to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for initial review and noted that local code changes will likely be required to implement new state guidance that focuses greater attention on near-shore setback and living-shoreline standards. Kretz said Middlesex submitted its ordinance earlier than many localities and expects DEQ feedback before preparing a fuller report to the board.
Wetlands board staffing: Mr. Kretz and staff clarified district representation and alternates on the wetlands board, identifying a vacancy in the Saluda District and noting how alternates fill votes when a member is absent. Supervisors debated whether the county should continue to run a local wetlands board or delegate the program to the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC). Staff said the wetlands review work has become more complicated and time-consuming, with new living-shoreline standards and stronger state oversight increasing staff burden. Officials raised tradeoffs: keeping local review supports convenience for residents and retains permit fees locally, while returning review to VMRC would reduce county staff workload but require residents or contractors to go to a regional office for permits.
Board direction: Staff will prepare a report laying out pros and cons, implementation impacts, and financial considerations so the board can decide during future budget or policy sessions whether to retain local wetlands permitting or transfer responsibilities to VMRC.
Why it matters: Changes to wetlands permitting or shoreland code affect homeowners, marine contractors and shoreline management practices around the county. The board’s decision will affect permit processing times, local permitting revenue and staff workload.
