Commission backs family‑division rule setting minimum acreages, affidavit requirement

The Surry County Planning Commission voted July 20 to recommend ordinance amendment 20‑26‑02, which sets minimum acreages and procedural requirements for family subdivisions in the AR zoning district. Mister Wade presented the draft amendment and explained its principal provisions to the commission; the public hearing produced no comments from residents.

The amendment would establish minimum acreages for family divisions (a newly created parcel of 1 acre, with the parent parcel and residual each set at 5 acres in the baseline proposal), require an owner affidavit confirming eligibility for a family division, and limit family divisions to AR‑zoned parcels. The ordinance also adds a mechanism to allow conveyances before five years in extenuating circumstances and contains an exception for parent parcels last conveyed before Oct. 1, 2026 (in which case the minimum reverts to 1 acre). "This is the family subdivisions of Surry County ... to establish minimum acreage for newly created 1 acre, parent parcel 5 acres, and a residual 5 acres pursuant to a family division," Mister Wade said while summarizing the proposal.

Following the presentation the commission moved and seconded a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors; the motion passed by voice vote. Staff said they will return revised draft language after legal review and further internal discussion.