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Planning commission adopts 2026 comprehensive plan and transmits recommendation to Board
Summary
The commission adopted revisions to the Northumberland County comprehensive plan on Feb. 19, 2026 — incorporating VTrans, SmartScale and VDOT project listings — and approved a resolution to transmit the 2026 plan to the Board of Supervisors.
The Northumberland County Planning Commission voted Feb. 19 to adopt the 2026 comprehensive plan as amended and to recommend the plan for adoption by the Board of Supervisors.
Staff explained changes made since the prior draft to ensure compliance with state transportation planning guidance (VTrans), to incorporate the SmartScale project selection program and VDOT six‑year improvement priorities (noting bridge and drainage projects such as the Gilliam Road bridge replacement and Forest Green Road drainage work). The plan's bicycle/trail map was revised to reflect the Potomac National Scenic Trail rather than prior locally proposed trails where no signage or bike lanes exist.
The resolution submitted with the plan cites the Code of Virginia and the statutory requirement that the planning commission review the comprehensive plan at least once every five years. Commissioners moved to adopt the resolution and amended one clause to replace the word "original" with "2016" to reflect the previous plan year; the amendment was accepted and the resolution was adopted by voice vote. Staff will obtain signatures and transmit the signed resolution and plan to the Board of Supervisors for consideration at an upcoming board meeting.
The commission also authorized staff to re‑paginate the table of contents after amendments and agreed to advertise the plan and related items for the Board agenda as appropriate. The adoption by the planning commission is a formal recommendation; the Board of Supervisors will consider final adoption.
