Commission backs Chesapeake Bay Preservation updates to align county code with state DEQ guidance

The Surry County Planning Commission on July 20 recommended ordinance amendment 20‑26‑03 to update the county’s Chesapeake Bay Preservation District language. Mister Wade told the commission the changes align local definitions and resilience criteria with recent updates to the Code of Virginia and the Virginia Administrative Code and reflect recommendations from the Department of Environmental Quality; no members of the public spoke during the hearing.

Mister Wade described the legal and regulatory alignment: "Item number 3 is the orders to amend article 2 section 2102 definitions in article 3 section 3, 1,400 for the Chesapeake Bay Preservation District of the Surry County zoning ordinance to align with regulatory updates to the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act outlined in in 62.1 through 44 dash 15 67 through 79 of the code of Virginia and, the administrative code 9 v a c 25 dash 8 30." He said DEQ staff reviewed the proposed language and the draft includes additional definitions and resiliency criteria as required or recommended by DEQ.

After the presentation the planning commission moved to recommend the amendment to the Board of Supervisors; the motion carried on a voice vote. Staff said the amendment responds to state regulatory changes and will be forwarded for Board consideration.