Wythe County planners set June 22 work session after resident urges ban on data centers and clearer mapping

The Wythe County Planning Commission agreed June 2 to hold a work session on June 22 to consider revisions to the county's Land Use Classification Ordinance after public input and staff recommendations.

Fairview resident Andy Kegley used the meeting's Citizens' Time to urge the commission to "ban data centers by right and even special use exemption in commercial and industrial" districts outside Progress Park, to eliminate the transportation corridor designation, and to add conservation easements and agricultural/Forestal districts to official maps so protected lands are visible. "What you really mean is, if you're against zoning, is that you're against the opportunity for a public hearing. And our voice, that opportunity for a voice in the public hearing, is the heartbeat of our democracy," Kegley said.

Deputy County Administrator Matt Hankins told the commission the Board of Supervisors had referred the ordinance back to the Planning Commission for further consideration and asked whether the commission preferred a separate work session or handling the item at the next regular meeting. The commission decided a separate work session was needed; Hankins said staff will compile the suggested changes and produce a revised draft for review at the July 6 meeting. Ex-Officio Jesse Burnett said the Board wants the process completed without undue delay and has suggested a joint session to keep momentum.

The June 22 work session, held as reconvened business of the commission, focused on questions and suggestions submitted by residents through public input sessions and online forms. Hankins reviewed staff suggestions on each point and the commission provided direction to staff; Hankins repeated that the revised draft ordinance will be distributed to commissioners ahead of the July 6 meeting for their review.

Commissioners and staff also handled routine business on June 2. Commissioner Christopher C. King moved to approve the May 4 minutes; Commissioner Rodney S. Dunford seconded and the motion passed unanimously. County Planner Lisa Shelton reported that she had approved several subdivision plats administratively, including minor subdivisions for Hurt Farms, LLC (Black Lick) and B. Dale Barker (Lead Mines), an adjoining-owner/lot-line revision for Fort Chiswell property owners, and a family subdivision for Jeffrey Osborne (Fort Chiswell).

In other reports, County Engineer Johnny Kincer said he was reviewing Progress Park lots and investigating drainage concerns at the Foster Falls solar site's back pond, which he said may be affected by roughly 700 sheep grazing and potential overgrazing. Ex-Officio Burnett said the Board trimmed the county budget by about $3.8 million and expects to use reserves to cover the shortfall if state revenue does not materialize; he noted the state budget has not yet been released. Deputy County Administrator Hankins provided updates on cannery funding, an additional water tank, broadband work with Citizens, codification efforts, and the Liberty At The Lake festival.

Next steps: staff will prepare a revised Land Use Classification Ordinance incorporating the commission's directions and public input; the commission will review the draft at its July 6 meeting. The commission recessed and reconvened for the June 22 work session and adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m.