Purcellville planning commission approves amended Virginia Main Street resolution after debate over commitments

The Purcellville Planning Commission voted 5-1 on June 18 to approve Resolution 25-006-01, an amended statement affirming the town's support for the Virginia Main Street (VMS) program and defining roles for town boards, commissions and staff.

Chair opened the action item by reading the resolution's core language: "the planning commission of the town of Purcellville recommends to the town council...that the following roles and responsibilities be established to guide coordination in support of the Virginia Main Street programs and projects." The longer reading set the context for an extended discussion about whether the commission should "commit" to specific duties or reserve action until items are placed on the commission's work plan by the Town Council. "If assigned by town council," the chair suggested as alternate wording during the debate.

Commissioner Bertaux questioned whether phrases such as "commits to" overstated the commission's authority, saying, "I do not believe that to be the case," and sought language that made formal assignments clearer. Other commissioners expressed mixed views: some said the obligations were implied by normal practice, while others asked for explicit limits to avoid the VMS program being used to drive large changes to the comprehensive plan or zoning ordinance.

The commission ran straw polls on specific edits, including whether to end one sentence after "goals" and remove a later clause referencing conformity with the comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance; the group voted to truncate that sentence. After the amendments, a motion to approve the resolution as amended was made and seconded; the commission approved the measure by a 5-1 vote and directed staff to forward it to the Town Council.

The meeting record shows public commenters supported the planning commission's backing: Christy Morgan said, "I guess, I'm here in support of the Virginia Main Street participation," and local business owner Josh Shields urged the commission to "support that program" and listen to business owners who have been involved. The commission's action is advisory: the Town Council will have the final vote on formally adopting the town's role with Virginia Main Street.

The resolution and its edits will now go to Town Council for a final decision; the commission set a related schedule item to provide suggestions for its FY26 work plan by early July.