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Planning commission tables Chesapeake Bay resiliency updates for additional definition work
Summary
Staff proposed limited ordinance changes to implement state Chesapeake Bay resiliency guidance (RPA resiliency assessments, tree preservation and nature‑based adaptation); commissioners asked for clearer thresholds for minor vs. major WQIA triggers and tabled the item to September for clarification.
Staff told the commission the proposed Chesapeake Bay preservation and resiliency amendments were narrowly tailored to implement state guidance and Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) recommendations, including resiliency assessments for development within the RPA and language to prioritize native Virginia species for plantings.
Commissioners appreciated the work but flagged confusing language around what triggers a minor versus a major Water Quality Impact Assessment (WQIA) — in particular, whether thresholds referenced (2,500 sq ft or 400 sq ft for RPA disturbance) were applied consistently. Commissioner Henrich urged keeping the land disturbance threshold visible in the ordinance and recommended returning the packet with clear, consistent thresholds. The commission voted to table the proposed Chesapeake Bay ordinance amendments until September to let staff revise definitions and thresholds.
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