Active Projects

Code Amendment Relative to Common Area

Since May 2021, the Planning Department has been evaluating the application of current ordinance provisions related to the required common area for cluster single-family residential development (single-family lots containing less than 12,000 square feet and providing compensatory common area) and townhouse development. Planning staff has gathered data for review regarding the challenges associated with implementing the current ordinance requirements. As a result of this work, a clearer definition of common area along with a more reasonable formula for the provision of common area within residential projects have been developed.

Ordinance amendments are being proposed which would address the change of definition and formula. These proposed changes advance the comprehensive plan goals of integrating natural and recreational areas, including pedestrian and bicycle connections, into communities while promoting housing variety.

The Planning Commission held a work session on these proposed amendments to the zoning ordinance on Tuesday, March 15, 2022. A virtual community meeting was held on Wednesday, May 11, 2022. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the amendment at the Tuesday, May 17, 2022, public hearing and that the Board of Supervisors voted to approve the amendment at the Wednesday, June 29, 2022, public hearing. Following the adoption of the Board of Supervisors’ minutes at their Wednesday, July 27 meeting, the online version of the zoning ordinance will be updated to reflect this change.

Extension of Public Roads in an Agricultural District

Section 19.1-203 of the zoning ordinance provides that the creation or extension of a public road into an Agricultural (A) zoning district is prohibited. This amendment would allow for the creation or extension of a public road should it be approved by the Board of Supervisors as a conditional use or as part of a zoning application. View the proposed amendment (PDF). 

View the virtual community meeting which was held on Monday, Aug. 8, 2022. 

A public hearing will be held at the Tuesday, Aug. 16 Planning Commission meeting at 6 p.m.

If you have any questions, please contact Rachel Chieppa by email or phone at 804-748-1778.

Code Amendment Relative to Limited Duration Signs

Since September 2021, the Planning Department has been evaluating the application of current ordinance provisions related to the allowable dimensions for limited duration signs within residential and agriculturally zoned property. Planning staff will present the proposed changes to the zoning ordinance at this meeting which will expand the allowable sign area per property.

• Within residential districts, the total allowable sign area per property would increase from 14 square feet to 24 square feet, with no individual sign being larger than 6 square feet or taller than 5 feet. These signs do not require a limited duration permit and are allowed for 120 days.
• Within agricultural districts, the total allowable sign area per property would increase from 14 square feet to 32 square feet, with no individual sign being larger than 32 square feet or taller than 7 feet. For agricultural district parcels with more than 250 linear feet of road frontage, an additional 32 square feet of sign area would be allowed. These signs do not require a limited duration permit and are allowed for 120 days.

The proposed amendments would modernize the county's regulations regarding limited duration signs, facilitating more efficient and convenient means of public communications through such signs.

On Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021, the Planning Commission held a work session on these proposed changes to the zoning ordinance. A virtual community meeting was held on Thursday, May 12, 2022. The Planning Commission held a public hearing on the proposed amendments on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. At the Board of Supervisors meeting on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, a vote of approval was taken on this amendment. Following the adoption of the Board of Supervisors’ minutes at their Wednesday, July 27 meeting, the online version of the zoning ordinance will be updated to reflect this change.

Code Amendment Relative to Outdoor Advertising Signs

Section 19.1 – 279.D provides that outdoor advertising signs be modernized and improved through standards which enhance the overall attractiveness of signage in the county. This section includes a termination date of July 24, 2023, for the replacement or modernization of outdoor advertising signs located along Routes 1, 10, 60 and 360. Any sign modernized, or new sign installed in compliance with this section, shall be considered legally conforming.

Many county businesses have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and would face additional financial hardship if forced to modernize or replace signs by the current termination date. As such, Planning is proposing an amendment to extend the termination date for replacement or modernization of signs to July 24, 2028.

The Planning Department held a virtual community meeting on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, regarding proposed code amendments to section 19.1 – 279.D of the zoning ordinance (PDF). The Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on the proposed amendment on Wednesday, July 27, 2022.

Roseland Zoning Overlay District

Roseland is located in the northwestern portion of the county, southwest of Midlothian Village, and adjacent to the communities of Hallsley, Charter Colony and CenterPointe as shown on the map below. The property is within both the Clover Hill (east of Otterdale Road) and Midlothian (west of Otterdale Road) Magisterial Districts.

Roseland is an approximately 1,400-acre property that was rezoned in 2008. The development was envisioned to be a large-scale master-planned community containing a mix of uses, an assortment of different lot and dwelling unit types, major roadway improvements, a new elementary school, utility infrastructure and substantial greenspace to include a linear park system along Tomahawk Creek.

Due to the economic downturn at the time, much of the 1,400-acre property was sold off to different owners and has sat idle since 2008.

In 2020, the county embarked on a plan to reorganize the proposed Roseland project. In collaboration with the property owners, the county began to work on a zoning overlay district with the intent of retaining many of the high-quality design standards and infrastructure needs from the 2008 rezoning case while modernizing many aspects the project to meet current and future needs. Upon adoption, the zoning overlay district would become part of the county’s zoning ordinance. Individual owners within the zoning overlay district would still rezone their properties in accordance with those standards established by the overlay, with the more specific features of particular development proposals being reviewed during the rezoning process.

The proposed Roseland Zoning Overlay District was recently presented to the Planning Commission at their Tuesday, July 19 work session. The Planning Department plans to conduct public outreach for the proposal in late August/early September, with public hearings anticipated in the fall/early winter of 2022.

For more information, contact Principal Planner Drew Noxon by email or phone at 804-748-1086.

Code Amendment Relative to Solar Zoning

Proposed code amendments to zoning ordinance section 19.1-52 (PDF) would modify the requirements related to setbacks, buffers and screening, and facility operations and design. Among other things, the proposed amendment adds an additional setback of 35 feet from wetlands 100-year floodplains and Resource Protection Areas; requires that steep slopes be kept in their natural, undisturbed state to the maximum extent practicable; and provides that solar panels are prohibited on steep slopes of 20% or greater.

The Planning Department held a virtual community meeting on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, regarding the proposed code amendments to zoning ordinance section 19.1-52. The Planning Commission forwarded a recommended approval of the amendment to the Board of Supervisors at the Tuesday, July 19, 2022, public hearing.