Katherine Auer

The Commission discussed several zoning amendments and land-use applications, including agricultural and forestal district additions, various special exceptions for property and institutional developments, and an introduction to the Remington Data Center project. Additionally, staff provided an overview of the relationship between the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances and the Comprehensive Plan. Announcements were made regarding recent Board of Supervisors actions and upcoming hearing items for the next meeting.

The Board of Supervisors conducted a meeting covering a legislative update, various organizational resolutions, and multiple public hearings. Key actions included adopting 2026 bylaws and rules of procedure, recognizing Black History Month, authorizing a solid waste management plan update, awarding an elevator modernization contract, and amending the fiscal year 2026 budget. The Board also confirmed a local emergency declaration, approved an intergovernmental agreement regarding conservation easements, and authorized funding for the Purchase of Development Rights program. Public hearings addressed the disposition of county property, a special exception for a church and school, a commercial lease agreement for airport office space, an open space easement modification, and a zoning ordinance text amendment concerning sewage treatment systems.

The committee meeting addressed several transportation projects and planning initiatives. Key discussion topics included the election of officers, updates on the VDOT Secondary Six-Year Plan involving various road improvements and surface treatments, and progress reports on multiple SMART SCALE funded projects, including intersection improvements and roundabout constructions. The committee also evaluated potential new projects for future funding, reviewed SMART SCALE Round 7 applications, and discussed specific traffic safety concerns, including intersection configurations and potential corridor studies for traffic calming.

The Board of Supervisors addressed several administrative and legislative items during their meeting. The session included a work session focused on the FY 2027 proposed budget and a closed meeting for legal consultation. Key approvals included the adoption of the Fauquier County Solid Waste Management Plan, text amendments to the Design Standards Manual, and a special exception for a salt shed facility. Additionally, the Board made several committee appointments, approved an on-call HVAC repair contract, authorized an airport grant application, and supported resolutions regarding historical site preservation and the elimination of data center sales tax exemptions.

The Planning Commission conducted a regular meeting featuring public hearings on three specific special exception applications. The Commission recommended denial for the Morrisville Substation expansion proposal due to incompatibility with the Comprehensive Plan and rural identity. Conversely, the Commission recommended approval for a private individual sewage treatment system at 5277 Old Alexandria Turnpike, subject to specific maintenance and monitoring conditions, and recommended approval for an amendment to the special exception for Warrenton Equipment LLC, despite concerns regarding past non-compliance. Additionally, the Commission received citizen comments regarding a proposed high-voltage transmission line project in the county.