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Cheraw adopts joint city–county comprehensive plan and cedes advisory planning to a joint commission amid citizen concern
Summary
After a public hearing and debate, Cheraw\'s council approved ordinances to adopt a Joint City–County Comprehensive Plan for Chesterfield County and to disband the town planning commission in favor of the county\'s Joint Planning Commission. Public commenters warned the town could \"lose autonomy\" and asked about costs; council/staff reiterated that the Planning Commission is advisory and the town retains final decision authority.
The Cheraw Town Council voted to adopt the Joint City–County Comprehensive Plan for Chesterfield County and to disband the town\'s Planning Commission in favor of the Joint Planning Commission organized for the county.
Lindsay Privet of the PD Council of Governments presented the plan, describing it as a "roughly 700 page document" covering the 10 elements required by state law (transportation, population, economic elements, natural resources, etc.), intended as a 20-year guide and reviewed periodically. Privet said the joint plan was developed with public outreach, surveys (including outreach to students), and representations from towns and county stakeholders to reduce duplication of cost and improve regional coordination.
During public comment, a resident identified in the transcript as Mr car thanked the fire department but urged caution about the planning change, asking about the town\'s anticipated costs to participate and warning that \"we lose that autonomy\" if planning duties shift to the county. Council members and staff answered resident questions, explaining that the Planning Commission is advisory under state planning law and that the town council retains final decision-making authority. Staff also said participation costs will be budgeted under codes and enforcement and that the county has delayed final action to allow new county council members to review the plan.
On the agenda the council approved Ordinance 2025-5 (to disband the town Planning Commission and designate the Joint Planning Commission of Chesterfield County as the town\'s official planning commission) and Ordinance 2025-6 (formally adopting the joint comprehensive plan). Council discussion noted the town can opt out of the joint commission at a later date and that the council retains authority over land-use decisions (planning commissions make recommendations that the council may accept or reject).
The council also held first reading of related ordinances, including a redistricting ordinance (2025-7) to redraw town council seats (effective Aug. 1 to avoid affecting an upcoming special election). The town manager and staff were directed to include any expected budget line items for the joint planning commission work when the department costs are better known.
What happens next: the council has adopted the plan and restructured advisory planning. Residents and council members who want more financial detail on participation costs were encouraged to follow up with town staff.
