Planning Commission adopts revised bylaws, moves regular start to 6 p.m., schedules public hearings for 6:30

The Surry County Planning Commission on Feb. 24 voted to adopt a package of changes to its bylaws, including a regular meeting start time of 6:00 p.m. and an advertised public hearing start time of 6:30 p.m. Chair (S1) called the motion and the commission approved it after discussion about staff workload and public access.

Miss Perkins, planning staff, walked commissioners through the proposed edits in the packet and said the 6:00/6:30 hybrid option would permit flexibility while ensuring legally advertised hearing times. "As you may recall at the last meeting, I asked all of you if you had any suggestions to please reach out to Mister Wade and myself," Perkins said while outlining the new draft language for secretary duties and agenda posting.

Commissioners also agreed to cap subcommittee membership at no fewer than three and no more than five members to avoid inadvertently creating a quorum of the full commission. The adopted changes also revise the order-of-business language to be less prescriptive and align agenda posting procedures with the board of supervisors; staff recommended publishing agendas and materials at least five days before regular meetings in compliance with Virginia code.

During discussion commissioners asked that packets be made available electronically in addition to paper copies posted on the county website so members and the public can review materials in advance. After debate the commission approved the bylaws with the package of amendments in a recorded voice vote; the chair announced, "The ayes have it. The motion is carried."