Alex Ables

The meeting commenced with the unanimous adoption of the agenda. A key public hearing addressed Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment TEXT-25-025836, concerning the amendment of Articles 3, 5, and 7 to modify the approval process for private individual sewage treatment systems discharging into an open ditch. The Commission voted to recommend adoption of this text amendment to the Board of Supervisors. The second major item involved the rezoning application REZON-24-023556 (Oak Shade Estates), which proposed rezoning parcels from Agricultural (RA) to Residential (R-2) and (R-4). After hearing testimony from the applicant's representative and several residents expressing concerns primarily regarding traffic congestion, drainage/water runoff, property buffering, and proximity to power lines, the Commission voted to postpone action on this rezoning item until the next scheduled meeting, leaving the public hearing open.

The meeting addressed old business concerning the highway marker application for Jud Wilson, where input on draft text and historical sources was sought, and the location of his childhood home was discussed. The status of the missing Brent Town settlement highway marker was also noted. Under new business, the discussion of potential 2026 Preservation Award nominees was deferred to a later agenda.

The session included a site visit to Oak Shade Estates to discuss the related application. During the subsequent work session, announcements were made regarding the resignation of the Zoning Administrator and the welcoming of the Assistant Zoning Administrator. The Commission agreed to reschedule its next regular meeting. The public hearing item for Oak Shade Estates was noted as improperly advertised, preventing immediate action. Discussions and review focused on a Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment (ZOTA-25-025836) concerning private sewage treatment systems. The Commission held a work session to discuss Comprehensive Plan Amendments (COMA-24-023661 and COMA-25-023821) for Chapters 1, 4, 5, 6, and 11, and Appendices A, B, D, and E, with members unanimously agreeing on proposed changes and scheduling these for public hearing. Announcements included approvals by the Board of Supervisors for Special Exceptions and a Rezoning Amendment, and previewed upcoming agenda items for the next public hearing.

The agenda for the Community Policy & Management Team meeting included a review and adoption of the January 2026 agenda, approval of the November 2025 Minutes, and various reports. Key reports consisted of the CSA reports covering FY2026 Expenditure Report, FY2026 Projection Report, Foster Care Placement Report, Private Day Placement Report, and Case Load Report. Additional items included OCS Updates regarding changes to login procedures and a presentation on the FY2025 Expenditure Review.

Key discussions during the meeting included reports on various facilities. For the Marshall Community Center, updates covered youth open gym and fitness center attendance in December, facility rental revenue comparison across October through December for 2023, 2024, and 2025, planning for Marshall Day 2026, and updates on custodial contractor interviews, Fitness on Demand rollout, and pending installations (blinds, ERP recumbent bike). Maintenance performed in December included gym repairs, ceiling tile replacement, floor evaluation, fire alarm testing, and door closure repair. Look ahead items involve ordering a volleyball system and new gym wall pads. Reports for Upperville Park noted a playground inspection, while Riverside Preserve had no updates. Maintenance work at NFCP in December involved sediment/soil removal, tree removal, safety sign installation, brush cutting, soil preparation, playground inspection, planning for bird netting repair, deck preparation, and mulch application for the natural trail. Work at Schoolhouse 18 included freeze protection installation, Penashield application, and front door refurbishment.