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Supervisors deny proposal to allow covered shelters on private piers, schedule one‑year review
Summary
After hearing VMRC counsel and public comment, the Board voted 3‑2 to deny a proposed local amendment that would permit open‑sided 400‑sq‑ft shelters on riparian piers; the Board also agreed to revisit the issue in one year to explore additional controls and coordination with VMRC and staff.
The Board of Supervisors debated and then denied a proposed amendment to the county zoning ordinance that would have allowed open‑sided covered shelters up to 400 square feet on private riparian piers.
Jeff Madden of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission told the board that the Code of Virginia provides an exemption for an open‑sided 400‑square‑foot gazebo on a riparian pier when adjacent property owners concur. Madden cautioned, however, that siding or enclosed structures raise different regulatory questions and that localities have taken a conservative approach to avoid creating a slippery slope for more substantial encroachments.
Board members who opposed the amendment said they were concerned about cumulative visual impacts on the county’s waterways and the potential for future, less‑benign uses. One supervisor described the proposal as opening a “Pandora’s box” and noted past votes against similar measures. After deliberation a motion to deny the amendment passed 3‑2. Minutes record some confusion immediately following the voice vote, but the prevailing outcome was denial.
Separately, the board unanimously approved a motion to revisit the issue in one year and tasked staff with working with VMRC and interested parties to identify controls that might mitigate the risks cited by opponents.
Ending: The denial leaves the county’s current pier rules unchanged; staff will prepare a focused study and proposed controls if feasible for the board to consider at the scheduled one‑year review.
