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Delegate Lee Ware urges local control on zoning, previews state help for Nottoway water projects
Summary
Delegate Lee Ware told the Nottoway County Board that the Commonwealth is revisiting an engineering proposal to address water for three state facilities and Crewe, warned against attempts to remove local siting authority for solar and multifamily housing, and reviewed the fate of a school-construction sales-tax option.
Delegate Lee Ware, who represents Nottoway at the General Assembly, told the Board of Supervisors he has pressed the state for action on a water plan that would serve the three state facilities in the county and the town of Crewe.
“I spoke, actually 2 days ago and then, today, with Secretary Cummings,” Ware said, describing an engineering study from a firm named Brockenbro and a planned briefing to local leaders. Ware said the secretary authorized a revisit of a two‑year‑old budget proposal and “he will be briefing the town leadership tomorrow afternoon.”
Ware also warned the board about bills that would shift local zoning powers to state panels. He said proposals have been filed that would give the State Corporation Commission or other state authorities the power to site solar farms or allow multifamily housing over local zoning objections; Ware said he believes local officials best understand neighborhood impacts and hopes the measures will not pass.
On school construction funding, Ware reviewed a proposal that would have allowed localities to place a 1% sales‑tax question on the ballot to fund school projects. He said the idea passed both chambers by roughly two‑thirds but was vetoed by the governor and not overridden: “Governor, as you may know, vetoed the bill,” Ware said.
Ware closed by flagging state responsibility for behavioral‑health placements housed in county facilities and said he has sought clearer reimbursement language after local officials reported they had spent more than they were reimbursed. “I have sent a letter to the agency that deals with this. I’m still seeking clarification,” he said.
