Fluvanna supervisors direct staff to draft public‑hearing bylaw changes and an Expressive Activity Policy

At its Feb. 4 meeting the Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors directed staff to prepare bylaw amendments clarifying the role and allowed scope of applicant presentations during advertised public hearings and when items are deferred.

County Attorney Dan Whitten explained that past practice permitted applicants to make an initial presentation and a rebuttal at the conclusion of a public hearing, and that the Board had discussed whether deferred items should allow a fresh presentation or only answers to Board questions. After discussion, the Board asked staff to draft bylaw language that would require presentations and comments from applicants to be germane to the advertised topic and to provide presentations in advance of a hearing.

Whitten also introduced a proposed Expressive Activity Policy to establish guidelines and procedures for expressive activities on county property, distinguishing property categories (operational buildings, courthouse grounds, parks and recreation facilities, library facilities) and setting rules for permitted events, reserved spaces, bulletin boards and responses to violations. The Board asked staff to share the proposed policy with the sheriff’s office to identify any operational or safety concerns before returning it to the Board for consideration.

Several residents raised the expressive‑activity policy and Tenaska project during both public comment periods; the minutes record the speakers and topics but do not include verbatim statements. The Board did not take final action on the policy or bylaw changes at the Feb. 4 meeting; staff will return draft amendments and the policy for future consideration.