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Planning commission directs staff to draft accessory‑dwelling rules to expand workforce housing options
Summary
Following an Economic Development Authority presentation citing a countywide housing survey and employer recruitment concerns, the planning commission agreed to direct staff to draft zoning-text amendments to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) with restrictions to prevent use as short‑term rentals and to research planned‑unit development (PUD) language for later consideration.
The Rockbridge County Planning Commission on Feb. 11 heard housing recommendations from the county’s Economic Development Authority and directed staff to draft zoning-text amendments to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as a near-term tool to increase the county’s supply of workforce housing.
EDA presenters said a countywide housing survey with more than 300 responses found strong demand for homes priced below $350,000, and that employers have reported hiring difficulties tied to housing availability. The presenter summarized proposed strategies: consider modest, strategic expansion of R‑2 zoning where public water and sewer are available; evaluate ADUs (with explicit limits on short‑term rental use); and explore a planned‑unit development framework to allow mixed housing types and limited commercial uses.
Commissioners and staff discussed trade-offs and constraints: R‑2 zoning is currently a small share of county land, expanding it could require comprehensive-plan map changes and additional infrastructure (water/sewer, VDOT ingress/egress), while ADUs could be implemented faster via a zoning-text amendment. Staff and the EDA indicated a preference to make detached ADUs allowable in residential and agricultural zones subject to health and safety and acreage standards and to prohibit short‑term rentals (discussion centered on whether to define short‑term as 30 days or 14 days).
EDA representative David Hawkins emphasized implementation needs beyond zoning: acquiring or rehabilitating specific properties, extending water and sewer infrastructure, and seeking planning and community‑development grants to finance site preparation and utility connections. The commission reached consensus to ask staff to draft ADU language and research PUD options, then return proposed text and recommended next steps (including public‑hearing scheduling) to the commission.
