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Planning staff details 2025 permits, zoning changes and priorities for 2026
Summary
Planning staff told the board the county processed multiple conditional-use permits, rezoning amendments and ordinance updates in 2025, highlighted population and housing trends, and laid out 2026 priorities including Route 360 site‑readiness, ordinance updates, SmartGov improvements and a five‑year comprehensive plan review.
Joyce Wolf, presenting the Planning Department’s 2025 annual report, told the Board of Supervisors on Jan. 12 that planning activity last year included seven conditional use permits, three rezoning amendments, five ordinance amendments and a preliminary plat review.
Wolf summarized permitting activity and staffing changes: the department issued commercial and home‑occupation permits, processed more than 180 land‑disturbance permits and 183 zoning permits for new dwellings, reviewed 19 subdivision plats and added staff including an environmental and zoning compliance officer, Jessica Whitehead, and planning secretary Ashley Bauld/Gault.
On housing and demographics, Wolf cited growth drivers such as the post‑2020 rural migration and said King William is functioning increasingly as a bedroom community for Richmond and Williamsburg. She cited a realtor.com median sales price figure and projected population near 23,775 by 2050.
Wolf also reviewed recent state legislation affecting local land use (she named several House and Senate bills by number) and outlined 2026 departmental priorities: advance phase two of the Business Management Area site‑readiness initiative along Route 360 and Route 30; update zoning and subdivision ordinances for clarity and consistency; improve the SmartGov permit portal; request a GIS analyst position in the FY27 budget; and start the mandated five‑year comprehensive plan review, including public outreach and workshops.
The board asked clarifying questions about accessory dwelling unit proposals and other pending state changes; staff said details remain unclear and that staff will track legislation and return with recommended local amendments as appropriate.
