Dave Arnold

The meeting included a review and approval of the agenda and the minutes from the November board meeting. The commission heard three rezoning cases: R-25-035 to change 2.75 acres from Double Zone District to A1 Agricultural District to allow for an additional accessory building; R-25-036 to change 0.14 acres from A1 Agricultural District to RC1 Residential Combined Subdivision district for property consolidation and setback expansion; and R-25-038 to change 2.0 acres from R1 Residential Suburban Subdivision district to A1 Agricultural district for consolidation with adjacent A1 property. All three rezoning petitions were recommended for approval by a vote of four to zero. Under new business, an update was provided on the comprehensive plan update project, noting the launch of the project website and the opening of applications for the advisory committee until December 18th. Additionally, two new staff members, Sabrina Folks (Senior Administrative Assistant/Clerk) and Kelly Smith (Senior Planner), were introduced, and appreciation was expressed to Holly Kazee for her service as interim clerk. A commission member also announced their transition to a new role on the Dan River District Board of Supervisor and is seeking a replacement for their planning commission position.

The meeting primarily focused on proposed revisions to the solar ordinance, including increasing the buffer radius requirement from one mile to five miles and limiting utility-scale solar facility acreage within any single zoning district to two percent. Statistics regarding current solar projects and acreage in A1, M1, and M2 zoning districts were presented in relation to the proposed two percent cap. An exclusion clause for the buffer and acreage cap was proposed for utility-scale solar energy facilities located at the Southern Virginia Mega site at Berry Hill, provided they have an executed power purchase agreement and a local performance agreement with the Board of Supervisors. Additionally, the committee reviewed proposed revisions to the ordinance concerning temporary residential occupancy of campers, clarifying exceptions for damaged primary residences and requiring compliance with zoning setbacks, current state inspection stickers, and up-to-date property tax payments. Health and building code requirements regarding sewage disposal (disallowing portable toilets for residential use) and water source testing for campers were also discussed.

The work session included an update on the fiber-to-the-home project, detailing progress in location passes, construction status, customer installations, and signup efforts, including forthcoming signup events and awarded scholarships. A significant portion was dedicated to an update on BEAD funding, outlining the allocation in the county, how River Street and SpaceX were awarded funding based on cost thresholds, and the projected service area expansion. Additionally, the board discussed a refund request for Norfolk Southern Railroad Company due to assessment adjustments based on late-received SEC reports. Finally, there was a presentation regarding proposed amendments to solar permitting and land disturbance fees to ensure cost recovery for staff and third-party services, and to standardize fee application.

The work session focused on administrative items and a presentation regarding the FY2025 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) audit. The agenda was approved following the addition of an item concerning a county-owned equipment policy. The audit presentation confirmed an unmodified opinion on the financial statements. A significant discussion point was the implementation of the new GASB 101 standard regarding compensated absences, which increased reported liabilities for the county and school board. The audit also noted one finding related to untimely eligibility verifications for Social Services/Medicaid programs, though no dollar impact was determined. Financial trends showed growth in property taxes but overall expenditures outpacing revenues. The county's unassigned fund balance remains above the recommended minimum reserve.

The Legislative Committee meeting convened to discuss and decide upon legislative appointments and priorities to be presented to state legislators in the upcoming session. Key discussion areas included legislative priorities related to Agriculture and Rural Affairs, such as supporting increased funding for land preservation and regulating invasive species, and predator control. Discussions also covered Community Economic and Workforce Development, focusing on achieving universal internet access via 100% state match funding, supporting affordable and workforce housing initiatives, and bolstering local economic development efforts. In Education, priorities involved advocating for full state funding for public education, including Standards of Quality and teacher salaries, and reforming the metrics used for state funding allocation to mitigate local matching fund burdens. The committee also reviewed priorities in Environment, Energy, and Land Use, supporting energy policies utilizing diverse technologies, adequate funding for water quality and pollution reduction standards, and maintaining local control over permitting for items like solar farms.