Greenbrier County presents comprehensive plan update; public hearing set for Aug. 27

Greenbrier County staff presented an update to the county's comprehensive plan at a public workshop, outlining priorities for housing, economic development and implementation and setting a public hearing for Aug. 27, 2025, at 3 p.m. in the courthouse.

The presenter said the plan is a "big picture guide" for land use, housing, roads, jobs and related services and urged residents to participate: "Visit greenbriercounty.net to use interactive county maps, link to the community survey, and share your voice," the Presenter said.

A staff member explained the plan's legal basis and schedule: "There is a legal definition in chapter 8 a of the West Virginia code," the Staff member said, and noted that chapter 8a requires updates every 10 years. The staff member said the county's plan was last updated in 2014 and amended in 2023.

Staff described recent public outreach: a public participation plan was adopted in December 2024, the county launched a community survey that "received 931 survey responses," and four community workshops were held. From that input, staff identified top priorities including rural preservation, housing and economic opportunity.

On housing, staff said the plan's goals are to "increase supply and affordability, support infill development and redevelopment, continue the demolition program for dilapidated structures, explore accessory dwelling units, [and] study short term rentals' effect on the housing supply," and to adopt planning measures for an aging population.

The presentation also listed constraints the county faces, including a declining population, aging housing stock, limited rural infrastructure, a shortage of ready industrial sites and physical development limits such as steep slopes and floodplains.

Staff credited Ruthanna Beasley and the Greenbrier Valley Economic Development Corporation with leading the economic chapter and said priorities include supporting small businesses, leveraging tourism and assets referenced in the presentation such as "WBSOM," the airport and the "BioZone," and attracting biotech and renewable‑energy employers.

Regarding implementation, staff said the plan will rely on existing ordinances and codes: the zoning ordinance (first adopted in 1973) covers about 10% of the county, the subdivision ordinance applies countywide except in municipalities, and floodplain and building codes also guide development and consistency with the plan's vision.

Staff said printed copies of the plan are being placed in county public libraries (Lewisburg and White Sulphur were named) and available at the courthouse. The public hearing will be conducted Aug. 27, 2025, at 3 p.m. in the courthouse; written comments are accepted through that date and revisions will be made based on input received.

The workshop proceeded with the online presentation muted during the local discussion; organizers also noted they could not see the number of online listeners from the meeting software.

(Speakers are identified by their roles as presented in the workshop because no personal names or formal titles for the presenters were given in the transcript.)