The Fluvanna County Planning Commission is considering uses in the zoning ordinance. One of the main responsibilities of the Planning Department staff is to make land use and zoning decisions based on their interpretation of the zoning ordinance. In order for staff to effectively make accurate decisions, there must be uniformity and clarity in the zoning ordinance with regard to the uses that are permitted in each zoning district, and their respective definitions in the ordinance. The current zoning ordinance has many deficiencies in the uses that are permitted in each zoning district and with the uses that are defined. These issues can make the Planning Department staff’s decisions difficult and restrict applicants in their ability to pursue certain uses.

What is the process for amending the uses permitted and uses defined? The Planning Commission is considering the amendments to the uses permitted and uses defined. To date it has conducted several work sessions to discuss the proposed amendments. Prior to adoption by the Board of Supervisors, any change in land use regulations must be considered by the Planning Commission with a recommendation forwarded to the Board of Supervisors. The Planning Commission will schedule a public hearing prior to making their recommendation to the board. Once the Board of Supervisors receives a recommendation from the Planning Commission, then they too must schedule a public hearing prior to taking any official action on the proposed land use change. 

The Planning Commission will consider a resolution to formally initiate a zoning text amendment to make the proposed amendments to the uses permitted and the uses defined at the Aug. 25 Planning Commission meeting. The commission may also discuss the proposed amendments briefly at this meeting. Once the zoning text amendment process is formally initiated, a public hearing will be scheduled by the Planning Commission for the Sept. 22 meeting.