Proposed Text Amendments for Agricultural / Rural Overlay Divisions of Land

• Planning Department Contact: Will Miller
• Phone: 757-382-6176
• Email Planning Department

In August 2021, City Council adopted an Initiating Resolution (PDF) requesting the Planning Commission consider and make recommendations concerning amendments to the Subdivision Ordinance pertaining to the definition of agricultural division as it pertains to the timing of such subdivisions. Portions of the City Subdivision Ordinance and the City Zoning Ordinance related to lot size, density, and minor subdivisions of land within the rural overlay district and agricultural zoning district are proposed for revision. In addition, definitions of agricultural lands and bona fide agricultural use are proposed for addition to the City Subdivision Ordinance. The application, PLN-TXT-2021-011, titled Agricultural Subdivisions was heard by Planning Commission on July 13, 2022.

This presentation contains background and details of the existing conditions and changes proposed following staff analysis and the Staff Report (PDF). Staff's Recommendation (PDF) and Planning Commission's Recommendation (PDF) provide proposed language edits in the Subdivision Ordinance of the City Code. City Council will next hear this application, the meeting date below will be updated once it is placed on a Council meeting agenda.

Public Hearing Schedule

• Agricultural Advisory Commission Public Hearing
  May 18, 2022 at 6:30 p.m.
  Agriculture Extension Office (trailer) located at 212 Holt Drive, located at the corner of Holt Drive and Shea Drive.
• Planning Commission Public Hearing
  July 13, 2022, at 7 p.m.
  306 Cedar Road - City Council Chamber - 1st Floor
  A pre-meeting is held at 6 p.m. in City Council Chamber and a speaker card must be filled out in person between 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on the date of the public hearing for anyone wishing to address the Commission for or against the proposed amendments.
  Received Planning Commission Public Comments and Letters (PDF)
  
• City Council Work Session Presentation (video)
  July 26, 2022, at 5:15 p.m.

Stakeholder Outreach

• Coastal Virginia Building Industry Association
  Virtual Meeting May 4, 2022, at 2 p.m.
• Representatives of the Virginia Farm Bureau
  May 5, 2022, at 10 a.m.
• Members of the Virginia Farm Bureau
  June 6, 2022, at 7 p.m.

All other written correspondence pertaining to the proposed text amendments may be sent to email the Planning Department.