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Wythe County planning commission schedules public forums to review proposed land‑use classification ordinance
Summary
Planning staff told the commission the draft Land Use Classification Ordinance will be the focus of a series of informal public forums starting March 30 to gather questions and feedback; staff said the Planning Commission recommended the ordinance and the Board of Supervisors may accept, amend, return or reject the recommendation.
The Wythe County Planning Commission was briefed March 2 on plans for a public engagement campaign tied to a proposed Land Use Classification Ordinance, with staff recommending a series of informal forums beginning March 30 at Fort Drizzle High School starting at 6 p.m.
Deputy County Administrator Mr. Hankins, who led the presentation, said the county has been developing the ordinance for months and that staff intends to use forums to explain the ordinance’s origins, display draft maps and collect questions ahead of meetings via the county website and social media. “We don't want to do a lengthy presentation on the draft ordinance, but enough to explain what's going on, what the origins are and why it matters,” Hankins said.
The forums will be advertised as informal opportunities to listen and take comments rather than as official meetings called to order; staff said representatives of both the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors will be present to hear public input. Hankins said staff will compile questions submitted in advance, answer what they can at the forum and follow up on items that require additional information.
Tony Floyd, a resident who addressed the commission during citizen's time, urged that at least one forum be held on a weekend to accommodate people who cannot attend on weekday evenings. “Ideally have time for one of those forums to occur on a weekend, Saturday, to accommodate folks that may not be available to attend during a weekday,” Floyd said. He also asked whether a draft that goes to the Board of Supervisors can later be revised based on public feedback; Hankins responded that the Planning Commission issues a recommendation to the Board, which may accept, amend, return the draft for further consideration or reject it.
Staff confirmed the draft ordinance and a draft map are posted on the county’s website and that the county will add a flyer and other collateral to the webpage; Hankins said analytics show only modest engagement to date and staff will monitor and adjust outreach to boost participation. He said the county intends to start outreach in the eastern part of the county and work westward, and that forums will be intentionally concise—generally under 90 minutes—while offering opportunities for one‑on‑one discussion with staff.
Why it matters: The ordinance is intended to standardize land‑use categories across the county and reduce conflicts from incompatible uses while respecting property‑owner rights, staff said. After public engagement, the Planning Commission’s recommendation will go to the Board of Supervisors for final action, and any changes made at the Board level will affect the ordinance’s next steps.
The commission did not take a formal vote on the ordinance at the March 2 meeting; staff said the first public forum is tentatively scheduled for March 30 at 6 p.m. and that they will notify commissioners and the public when the location and schedule are finalized.
