Bedford County approves commercial rezoning, school insurance supplement and transportation applications; initiates zoning text amendments

The Bedford County Board of Supervisors took several administrative, budgetary and planning actions at its June 9, 2026 meeting.

Commercial rezoning and special-use permit: The board approved ordinance RZ26-00005 (rezoning AR to AP) and adopted resolution R060926-07 to amend special use permit SU25-00003 for James and Trisha Gates. Senior planner Abigail Carrington said the amendment was needed because the safest entrance location shifted the site layout into a portion of the property previously zoned AR. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the rezoning (5-0) and the amended special use (5-0) with conditions including a fence around the RV/boat storage area, retention of a 100-foot vegetative buffer between the commercial area and adjacent residences, and a prohibition on the sale or service of RVs and boats on site.

Transportation: County engineer Eric Smley asked the board to back Smart Scale Round 7 grant applications. The board removed the Route 460/ME Road project from the submission after concerns were raised and voted to support two other projects: Route 122 improvements at Halls Ford Bridge and Route 221 improvements from Ambassador Drive to Clover Hill Boulevard (resolution R060926-08, amended).

School health insurance fund: Finance Director Ashley reported that the Bedford County Public Schools' self-insurance fund began the fiscal year with about $2.6 million but incurred claims of $15.3 million with an additional $1.4 million expected in June, leaving an anticipated year-end balance around $200,000. Staff recommended a one-time appropriation of $3.5 million from county unassigned fund balance to establish a 20% recommended cash balance (about $3.1 million) and allow a lower premium renewal rate for FY27; the joint county-school finance committee supported the recommendation and the board approved resolution R060926-09.

Zoning text amendments: The board voted 6-1 to initiate text amendments (R060926-10) to the county zoning ordinance to comply with legislation enacted by the 2026 General Assembly. The initiating resolution refers the required changes to the Planning Commission for public hearing and recommendation; the changes noted by staff include rules on manufactured homes, nonconforming uses, board of zoning appeals procedures, wireless communication facilities, off-street parking, smaller residential development and solar photovoltaic projects.

Appointments and other business: The board confirmed several appointments, including Michelle Raymaker to the CBCC Local Advisory Board and Edgar Tucker (primary) and Mickey (alternate) to the Roanoke Valley Transportation Planning Organization Policy Board. The county administrator reported progress on a new vote center ahead of the Aug. 4 primary, LED lighting work at a county park, ongoing landfill cell work and a bronze quality award for the county nursing home.

Votes at a glance: - RZ26-00005 (Gates) ordinance: approved (roll-call: unanimous). - SU25-00003 (Gates) amended special use: approved with conditions (roll-call: unanimous). - R060926-08 (Smart Scale support, amended to remove ME Road/Route 460): approved (roll-call: unanimous). - R060926-09 (School health insurance one-time appropriation $3.5M): approved (roll-call: unanimous). - R060926-10 (Initiate zoning text amendments): initiated (roll-call: 6-1).

Record: All actions listed above were recorded in the meeting minutes and roll-call votes were taken where required.