Patrick County supervisors set joint public hearing on proposed subdivision change

The Patrick County Board of Supervisors voted to set a joint public hearing with the Planning Commission for Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. to consider a modification to the county subdivision ordinance. The motion to set the hearing passed with three ayes and one abstention, and the presiding officer announced the hearing time at the meeting's close.

The presiding officer said the agenda item was prompted by recent reviews showing multiple parcels subdivided and marketed as build-ready that may not meet well and septic requirements. "The purpose of this agenda item is to discuss setting a joint public hearing with the Planning Commission to approve a modification with the apparent attempt to evade the subdivision ordinance," the presiding officer said. The board is considering an interim change that would raise the maximum lot size requiring Planning Commission review from 2 acres to 5 acres while the Planning Commission finishes a comprehensive-plan update.

Board members who supported the motion cited public-health and environmental concerns. One supervisor said larger lots increase the chance that a parcel can support a septic system and an adequate drinking-water well. Other supervisors asked the public to provide input before the Sept. 28 hearing and emphasized that the 5-acre figure was a recommendation rather than a fixed rule.

The motion was moved by Committee member (Speaker 2) and seconded by Committee member (Speaker 3). The board recorded three ayes and one abstention and set the joint public hearing for Sept. 28 at 6 p.m.