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CALL TO ORDER THE SESSION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30TH FOR THE PRINCE GEORGE PLANNING COMMISSION.
[CALL TO ORDER]
CALL THE ROLL.SO JUST, YOU DON'T HAVE A QUORUM PRESENT IN THE ROOM.
HOWEVER, SINCE THIS IS A WORK SESSION, YOU'RE WELCOME TO HOLD THE MEETING.
YOU JUST COULDN'T TAKE ANY OFFICIAL ACTION AS A COMMISSION WITHOUT A QUORUM.
WE'LL HOLD THE MEETING [INAUDIBLE].
IF YOU'D LIKE, I CAN COME UP AND INTRODUCE THIS ITEM.
[COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE WORK SESSION]
YES. IT SAYS YOU AND THE BERKELEY GROUP.SO MY NAME IS, OF COURSE, TIM GRAVES.
I'M THE PLANNER TWO AND THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT AND THE PROJECT MANAGER FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE THAT THE COUNTY IS UNDERGOING AND A LOT OF WORK HAS HAPPENED ALREADY AND WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF WORK AHEAD OF US AND CURRENTLY WE'RE IN THE DRAFTING STAGE WHERE WE'RE WORKING. THE CONSULTANT IS WORKING WITH US TO DRAFT AND REVIEW DIFFERENT COMPONENTS OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND SO TONIGHT WE HAVE THIS IS THE SECOND SPECIAL FOCUSED WORK SESSION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
THE FIRST WAS IN JULY AND SO THIS IS FOCUSED ON TWO DIFFERENT CHAPTERS AND ALL THE OTHER DETAILS I'LL LEAVE TO THE BERKELEY GROUP.
[INAUDIBLE] . ALL RIGHT. WELL, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.
LIKE TIM SAID, MY NAME IS CATHERINE REDFERN.
I AM A PRINCIPAL PLANNER WITH THE BERKELEY GROUP, AND I'VE GOT ANOTHER PLANNER ON HIS WAY.
THE FIRST WAS IN JULY, WHERE YOU ALL TALKED ABOUT KEY THEMES AND ISSUES THAT CAME OUT OF THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROCESS AND TONIGHT WE ARE GOING TO FOCUS ON THE FIRST OF TWO POLICY CHAPTERS THAT WE HAVE DRAFTED FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE.
BEFORE WE GO INTO THOSE CHAPTERS, I WILL GIVE A BRIEF UPDATE ON THE SCHEDULE, KIND OF WHERE WE'VE BEEN, WHERE WE'RE GOING, AND THEN WE WILL REVIEW THE POLICY COMPONENTS OF CHAPTERS THREE AND CHAPTERS FOUR.
WE'LL WALK THROUGH THOSE AND I WILL SAY, WE'RE NOT GOING TO WALK THROUGH THE CHAPTERS PAGE BY PAGE.
WE'RE JUST GOING TO FOCUS ON THE POLICY COMPONENTS OF THE DOCUMENTS.
TONIGHT ISN'T YOUR ONLY OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT.
WE'LL HAVE ABOUT A WEEK AFTER THIS WHERE WE'LL RECEIVE COMMENTS ON THIS FIRST DRAFT AND THEN OF COURSE, AT THE END OF THE DRAFTING PHASE ABOUT MARCH, I BELIEVE WILL COME BACK TOGETHER AND LOOK AT THE DOCUMENT AS A WHOLE.
WE'VE GOT PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITY TO TALK THROUGH THESE TOPICS.
ALL RIGHT. SO LET'S TALK ABOUT WHERE WE ARE IN THE PROCESS.
SO AS TIM SAID, WE ARE IN THE DRAFTING PHASE.
WE HAVE COMPLETED THE INITIAL COMMUNITY INPUT AND DATA GATHERING.
WE DID THAT THROUGH THE SPRING AND SUMMER AND WE ARE NOW ON TO DRAFTING.
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WE'LL HAVE SIX WORK SESSIONS WITH YOU ALL THROUGH THE DRAFTING PHASE, WHERE WE PRESENT DRAFT CHAPTERS THAT WE HAVE WORKED CLOSELY WITH STAFF TO PREPARE.WE'LL ALSO HAVE A MIDWAY WORK SESSION CHECK IN MEETING WITH YOUR BOARD ON DECEMBER 2ND.
SO I THINK THAT'S NEW SINCE THE THE JULY MEETING, THAT DATE IS NEW.
DEQ AND VDOT INCORPORATE ANY COMMENTS THAT YOU ALL DIRECT US TO INCORPORATE FROM THOSE REVIEW PROCESSES, AND THEN BRING THE PLAN BEFORE YOU ALL AND THE BOARD FOR ADOPTION START TO FINISH ABOUT A 20 MONTH PROCESS.
SO WE'RE I'D SAY ABOUT A THIRD, MAYBE A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN A THIRD OF THE WAY, WAY THROUGH.
THIS IS THE DRAFTING SCHEDULE.
HERE WE ARE. WE ARE SEPTEMBER 30TH.
WE ARE LOOKING AT THE COMMUNITY, WHAT WE CALL THE COMMUNITY ASSET CHAPTERS.
SO THOSE THINGS THAT REALLY MAKE UP THE BASE OF WHAT PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY IS AND HOW IT FUNCTIONS.
SO TRANSPORTATION AND CONNECTIVITY AS WELL AS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THEN WE HAVE TWO MEETINGS IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY, BACK TO BACK MONTHS, WHERE WE'RE LOOKING AT WHAT ARE REALLY THE HEFTIEST CHAPTERS OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, THE HOUSING CHAPTER, AND THE LAND USE AND INFRASTRUCTURE CHAPTERS AND THEN IN MARCH, WE'LL COME TOGETHER.
WE'LL LOOK AT PLANNING PRIORITIES AND CATALYST PROJECTS, WHICH IS WHAT WILL COMPRISE CHAPTER TWO AS WELL AS CHAPTER NINE, THE IMPLEMENTATION MATRIX, WHICH IS THAT CHECKLIST OF STRATEGIES.
WHO'S GOING TO DO THEM WHEN, HOW? WITH WHAT RESOURCES? QUESTIONS ABOUT ABOUT THE DRAFTING SCHEDULE.
SO LET'S DIVE INTO THE FIRST CHAPTER THAT WE HAVE TO DISCUSS TONIGHT, WHICH IS THE NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES CHAPTER. THIS CHAPTER DISCUSSES REALLY THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES IN THE COUNTY, OF WHICH THERE ARE MANY.
REALLY THE RURAL CHARACTER AND HISTORIC CHARACTER OF THE COUNTY.
THIS CHAPTER REALLY ALONG WITH THE LAND USE CHAPTER.
CHAPTER EIGHT OF THE PLAN IS THE OR THE PLAN, OR THE CHAPTERS THAT ARE GOING TO HELP YOU MEET THE CHESAPEAKE BAY PRESERVATION ACT REQUIREMENTS IN CHAPTER THREE. THIS IS DONE PRIMARILY THROUGH THE DESIGNATION OF RPA AND RMA RESOURCE PROTECTION AREAS AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AREAS.
THERE'S A MAP SHOWING THOSE IN THE DRAFT CHAPTER TALKING ABOUT SHORELINE PROTECTION AND OTHER WATER QUALITY PROTECTION MEASURES, AS WELL AS CLIMATE RESILIENCE AND PRIORITIZATION OF HAZARD MITIGATION.
OF COURSE, THE CHAPTER ALSO DIRECTLY ADDRESSES THE ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT WERE IDENTIFIED IN THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROCESS THAT IS THE SURVEY, THE PUBLIC WORKSHOPS, DEPARTMENT HEAD INTERVIEWS AND WE REALLY TOOK THOSE KEY THEMES, THOSE THEMES THAT YOU ALL DISCUSSED AT THE JULY WORK SESSION AND USE THOSE TO CREATE THE FRAMEWORK FOR THIS PLAN, FOR THIS CHAPTER.
JUST TO RECAP, SOME OF THOSE KEY THEMES THAT WE HEARD RELATED TO NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES ARE THE CONCERN ABOUT GROWTH PRESSURES, CHANGING THE RURAL CHARACTER OF THE COUNTY, AND A DESIRE TO KEEP A LARGE PORTION OF THE COUNTY RURAL OR UNDEVELOPED.
THAT SAID, A LOT OF RESPONDENTS WANTED A BALANCED APPROACH TO GROWTH, SO RECOGNIZING THAT THE RURAL LIFESTYLE, AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES ARE IMPORTANT, BUT ALSO ACCOMMODATING GROWTH WHERE APPROPRIATE AND THEN NATURAL AREAS.
HEY, CHRIS. NATURAL AREAS ALONG THE JAMES AND APPOMATTOX RIVER.
SO THE GOAL AND OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS BASED OFF OF THOSE KEY ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES, DATA AND RESEARCH CONDUCTED IN DRAFTING THE CHAPTER ARE ON THE SCREEN, AND THERE IS ONE GOAL STATEMENT AND THREE OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS FOR THE CHAPTER AND THESE OBJECTIVE STATEMENTS REALLY FORM THE FRAMEWORK FOR THE CHAPTER, THE BODY TEXT.
THE MAJORITY OF THE TEXT IN THE CHAPTER IS ORGANIZED AROUND THESE THREE OBJECTIVES.
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ENVIRONMENT, PRESERVING RURAL HISTORIC ASSETS AND PLANNING FOR RESILIENCE AND THIS IS WHERE I'LL PAUSE AND I'LL OPEN IT UP TO YOU ALL.IF YOU HAVE COMMENTS, EDITS TO THIS GOAL STATEMENT, ANYTHING YOU WOULD CHANGE OR ADD.
ALL RIGHT. HEARING NONE, THEN THE THREE OBJECTIVES THAT SUPPORT THIS GOAL STATEMENT.
THE FIRST IS ABOUT REALLY PROTECTING THOSE SENSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES IN THE COUNTY AND IT READS PRESERVE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, PROTECT ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS AND REDUCE IMPACTS ON SENSITIVE AREAS.
EDITS TO THIS OBJECTIVE STATEMENT.
THOUGHTS OR COMMENTS? SO OBJECTIVE TWO IS ENHANCED COMMUNITY RESILIENCE TO HAZARDS AND PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY.
SO AGAIN FOCUSING ON HAZARD MITIGATION CLIMATE RESILIENCE AND THEN OBJECTIVE THREE IS FOLDING IN THE AGRICULTURAL, RURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE. IT READS PRESERVE AGRICULTURAL LANDS RURAL CHARACTER AND CULTURAL RESOURCES.
DOES THAT ALL MAKE SENSE? ANY COMMENTS OR EDITS TO THOSE? OKAY. THEN I'M GOING TO MOVE FORWARD AND WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THE STRATEGIES THAT FALL UNDER EACH OF THESE OBJECTIVES AND WE CAN WORKSHOP THOSE.
IF YOU HAVE ANY EDITS, YOU CAN GIVE THOSE TO US AND WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT THEY GET INCORPORATED.
THAT IS QUITE SMALL. I'M NOT SURE MY EYES CAN READ THAT.
INDEED, I CAN TURN DOWN THE LIGHT.
THAT'S OKAY. I GOT IT HERE ON MY SCREEN TOO.
OKAY, SO THE FIRST OBJECTIVE STATEMENT HAS FIVE CORRESPONDING STRATEGIES AND THIS OBJECTIVE AGAIN IS ABOUT PRESERVING ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES SENSITIVES AND IMPACTS TO THOSE SENSITIVE RESOURCES.
SO REALLY STRATEGIES THAT GET AT MEETING CHESAPEAKE BAY ACT REQUIREMENTS.
THE FIRST STRATEGY IS USE ZONING REGULATIONS, CONSERVATION EASEMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS TO STEER DEVELOPMENT AWAY FROM ECOLOGICAL CORES, MIGRATION CORRIDORS AND SENSITIVE AREAS.
GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE, PUBLIC EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION INCENTIVES FURTHER SUPPORT THIS EFFORT.
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THAT FIRST STRATEGY.
OKAY. STRATEGY NUMBER TWO BUILDS ON THE FIRST ONE.
IT'S PROMOTE GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE TO PRESERVE AND CONNECT NATURAL HABITATS SUPPORTING WILDLIFE.
SO AGAIN, THE STRATEGY BUILDS ON THE FIRST ONE.
SO MEETING SOME OF THOSE LIVING SHORELINES AND RESILIENCY BENCHMARKS.
THE THIRD STRATEGY I WON'T READ THE WHOLE WHOLE STRATEGY.
I'LL JUST READ THE FIRST SENTENCE IS THE COUNTY SHOULD ACTIVELY PROMOTE AND SUPPORT LANDOWNER COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO ACCESS COST SHARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPLEMENTING LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT OR LID AND BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OR BMPS.
THE FOURTH STRATEGY IS ABOUT OUTDOOR LIGHTING AND DARK SKIES, SO IT READS MAINTAIN AN OUTDOOR LIGHTING ORDINANCE WITH DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS TO ENHANCE SAFETY AND PROTECT DARK SKIES, IN LINE WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL DARK SKY ASSOCIATION.
AND THEN THE FINAL STRATEGY HERE STRENGTHEN PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR GROUND MOUNTED SOLAR SYSTEMS BY IMPLEMENTING MEASURES TO PROTECT LANDSCAPES, LIMIT CLEARCUTTING SPECIFIED NATIVE VEGETATION AND INCREASE BUFFER WIDTHS AND I WILL POINT I'M SORRY.
GO AHEAD. GOING BACK TO THE CONSERVATION EASEMENT I KNOW WE HAVE QUITE A FEW FARMERS STILL LEFT IN THE PRINCE GEORGE PLANNING AREA, DO YOU? WOULD IT BE TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO PUT IT IN A CONSERVATION EASEMENT OR SHOULD THEY NOT DO THAT? MY REASONING ON THAT IS IF YOU PUT A FARM IN THE MIDDLE OF IT AND THEN YOU GET DEVELOPMENT ALL THE WAY AROUND, ALL YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE IS A CONFLICT BETWEEN THE FARMER AND THE PEOPLE AROUND IT.
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YEAH AND THAT'S A GREAT POINT AND A LOT OF ORGANIZATIONS THAT HOLD CONSERVATION EASEMENTS, LIKE THE VIRGINIA OUTDOORS FOUNDATION, THEY'RE BEFORE THEY ACCEPT A CONSERVATION EASEMENT, THEY'RE GOING TO LOOK AT A COMMUNITY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S IN ALIGNMENT WITH THAT AND SO WHEN WE GET TO DRAFTING THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP, THEY WOULD LOOK CLOSELY AT THAT.I WAS GOING TO ABOUT THE STRATEGY NUMBER FIVE.
WE DIDN'T ADDRESS SOLAR ENERGY IN THIS CHAPTER.
WE HAVE SAVED THAT FOR THE LAND USE CHAPTER, IF THAT WAS GOING TO BE A QUESTION.
BUT THERE IS OBVIOUSLY OVERLAP IN BLEED BETWEEN ALL OF THESE TOPICS.
OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THESE STRATEGIES.
AGAIN, NOT YOUR ONLY OPPORTUNITY.
IF NOT, WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE NEXT OBJECTIVE AND THIS IS THE OBJECTIVE RELATED TO CLIMATE RESILIENCE AND HAZARD MITIGATION AND THERE ARE AGAIN FIVE STRATEGIES HERE.
I'LL JUST READ THROUGH ALL OF THEM AND THEN WE CAN DISCUSS THEM AS NEEDED.
UPDATE THE FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE TO REFLECT NEW FLOOD MAPS AND INCORPORATE THE LATEST BEST PRACTICES, ENSURING DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE ARE BETTER PROTECTED FROM FLOOD RISKS.
PERHAPS A PERTINENT TOPIC CONSIDERING THE LAST WEEK.
AMEND EXISTING ORDINANCES AND POLICIES TO ENCOURAGE THE INSTALLATION OF SOLAR PANELS ON EXISTING IMPERVIOUS SURFACES, SUCH AS ROOFTOPS AND PARKING LOTS, AND DISCOURAGE THEM IN WOODED OR AGRICULTURAL AREAS.
CONSIDER PARTICIPATION IN FEMA'S COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM TO ENHANCE FLOOD RESILIENCE, REDUCE FLOOD INSURANCE PREMIUMS, AND PROMOTE SOUND FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND THEN FINALLY PROMOTE AND INCENTIVIZE GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATIONS.
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO SEE ADDED OR REMOVED? [INAUDIBLE].
SO THEY WERE RECENTLY UPDATED, WHICH IS THE IMPETUS BEHIND THIS ONE.
ALL RIGHT, LET'S MOVE ON TO THE NEXT OBJECTIVE IN THIS CHAPTER AND WHEN WE GET TO THE END, IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT ANYTHING WE DIDN'T COVER IN THE SLIDES, I'M HAPPY TO PULL UP THE DOCUMENT.
AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT THOSE AS WELL.
ALL RIGHT. SO THE FINAL OBJECTIVE IS RELATED TO PROTECTING AGRICULTURAL LANDS RURAL CHARACTER AND CULTURAL RESOURCES AND A FEW MORE STRATEGIES RELATED TO THIS OBJECTIVE.
IT'S KIND OF A BIGGER BUCKET SO TO SPEAK.
CONSIDER ESTABLISHING A LOCAL AG AND FOREST DISTRICT AFD TO SPECIFICALLY WITHIN THE RURAL CONSERVATION AREA TO PRESERVE VALUABLE AGRICULTURAL AND SILVICULTURAL LANDS, ENSURING THAT DEVELOPMENT IS DIRECTED AWAY FROM THESE AREAS.
MAINTAIN USE VALUE TAXATION CRITERIA IN THE CONSERVATION AREA TO SUPPORT LONG TERM VIABILITY OF AGRICULTURAL USES AND TO SUSTAIN RURAL ECONOMIES. UTILIZE THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY FOR SUSTAINABILITY FUNDS TO COMPENSATE FOR REDUCED TAX REVENUES RESULTING FROM FOREST LAND USE TAXATION. CONSIDER CREATING A PURCHASE OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS PDR PROGRAM TARGETED AT PERMANENTLY PROTECTING RURAL LANDS AND SAFEGUARDING THEM FROM FUTURE DEVELOPMENT. DISCOURAGE DEVELOPMENT OF PRIME FARMLAND AND THEN FINALLY CONDUCT A SURVEY OF UNLISTED HISTORIC SITES TO ASSESS THEIR ELIGIBILITY
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FOR INCLUSION IN THE VIRGINIA LANDMARKS REGISTER AND OR NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES.I'LL GIVE YOU A MINUTE TO LOOK THROUGH THOSE.
WE WILL DISCUSS THAT FIRST ONE WHERE YOU [INAUDIBLE].
ALTHOUGH BUILDERS WANT TO DECREASE THE BLOCK SIZE.
JUST IN THE RURAL CONSERVATION AREA AND AGAIN THAT'S SOMETHING WE WILL TALK MORE ABOUT IN THE LAND USE CHAPTER AS WE GET INTO DESIGNATING LAND USES IN THE COUNTY.
HOW DO YOU DISCOURAGE DEVELOPMENT ON PRIME FARMLAND.
THAT WAS GONNA BE MY QUESTION TO YOU.
LIKE PRIME IS SO I MEAN I GUESS IT HAS TO BE LIKE A, YOU KNOW, AN OPEN ENDED KIND OF WORD BECAUSE THERE IS A DESIGNATION OF PRIME FARMLAND AND THAT WE PROVIDED A LINK TO AN ONLINE MAP. IT IS AN ACTUAL DESIGNATION.
IT IS GOOD LAND. BUT IT'S MORE THAN JUST THAT AND SO AS A POLICY INCLUDED IN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, IF A DEVELOPMENT WAS PROPOSED ON A PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT IS ACTUALLY DESIGNATED PRIME FARMLAND, YOU COULD TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION.
IS THAT BECAUSE LIKE, WAS THERE QUESTIONS ABOUT LIGHTING OR IS IT JUST IN GENERAL TO HAVE IT A PLAN FOR OUTDOOR LIGHTING FOR BUILT LIKE INCREASING IT AT SOME POINT? SO THIS HAS TO DO SPECIFICALLY WITH DARK SKIES LIGHTING WHICH REDUCES LIGHT POLLUTION AND IT.
THERE WAS DISCUSSION DURING PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ABOUT GENERALLY PROTECTING THE RURAL CHARACTER AND AS WELL AS PROTECTING ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND WHEN WE START TALKING ABOUT WILDLIFE CORRIDORS AND RURAL CHARACTER, LIGHTING IS REALLY A KEY COMPONENT OF PROTECTING THAT.
SO THAT'S WHY THIS STRATEGY WAS INCLUDED.
ALL RIGHT. LET'S MOVE ON TO CHAPTER FOUR.
THIS IS THE COMMUNITY RESOURCES CHAPTER AND I THINK I SAID THIS EARLIER, BUT THIS CHAPTER COVERS.
SO AGAIN, CHAPTER FOUR IS COMMUNITY RESOURCES, AND THIS IS THE CHAPTER THAT SUMMARIZES KEY NEEDS FOR COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND SERVICES IN THE COUNTY AND IT FOCUSES PRIMARILY ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY, EMERGENCY RESPONSE, EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES, PARKS AND RECREATION, AS WELL AS GOVERNMENTS AND COUNTY FACILITIES AND AGAIN, JUST LIKE THE NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES CHAPTER, IT BUILDS ON KEY ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE HEARD THROUGH PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AS WELL AS WHAT WE SAW THROUGH DATA AND RESEARCH AND TO RECAP SOME OF THOSE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT THEMES AGAIN, PARTICIPANTS WHO TOOK THE SURVEY OR CAME TO THE WORKSHOPS IN TERMS OF PARKS AND RECREATION, REALLY WANT ADDITIONAL ACCESS TO NATURAL AREAS SUCH AS THE JAMES AND APPOMATTOX RIVERS, AS LONG AS WELL AS INCREASED INTERCONNECTIVITY BETWEEN EXISTING PARKS AND IMPROVEMENTS OF EXISTING PARKS ACROSS THE BOARD.
INVESTMENTS ARE NEEDED IN SCHOOLS AND FIRE AND EMS SERVICES AND WE HEARD THAT THERE'S A DESIRE FOR BETTER INTEGRATION BETWEEN SCHOOLS AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.
WE ALSO HEARD THAT THERE WERE ADDITIONAL, PARTICULARLY FROM THE DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY, FELT THERE WERE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES NEEDED TO HELP IMPROVE DEVELOPMENT AND PLAN REVIEW TIMES AND TO HELP MANAGE PERMITTING AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS AND REALLY, THIS IS JUST A REFLECTION OF STAFFING AND NEEDS OF A GROWING, COUNTY.
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SO MAKING SURE THAT THE COUNTY IS STAFFING AND RESPONDING SO THEY CAN BE PROACTIVE RATHER THAN REACTIVE AS GROWTH COMES DOWN THE PIPELINE.THE GOAL AND OBJECTIVES FOR THIS CHAPTER.
THIS IS YOUR PUBLIC HEALTH AND MS BUCKET.
IMPROVE PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE.
OBJECTIVE TWO IS IMPROVING GOVERNANCE AND MODERNIZING FACILITIES.
OBJECTIVE THREE IS ENSURING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES MEET THE NEEDS OF A GROWING POPULATION.
AND THEN FINALLY, OBJECTIVE FOUR BETTER CONNECT THE COMMUNITY TO RECREATION AMENITIES.
ANYTHING WE'VE MISSED HERE THAT WE MIGHT NEED TO ADD OTHER THAN WATER AND SEWER, OF COURSE.
OKAY, SO LET'S MOVE ON TO THE STRATEGY SUPPORTING THESE OBJECTIVES.
I WON'T DO THAT TO MYSELF NEXT TIME.
SO THE FIRST BUCKET OF STRATEGIES ARE ABOUT IMPROVING PUBLIC HEALTH SAFETY AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND AGAIN THESE ARE RELATED PRETTY DIRECTLY TO FIRE AND EMS SERVICES AS WELL AS HEALTH AND WELLNESS SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY AND I'LL READ THROUGH THEM.
THE FIRST IS CREATE A COUNTY WIDE FIRE AND EMS STRATEGIC PLAN THAT CAN BE REGULARLY UPDATED AND MAINTAINED TO ADDRESS RESPONSE TIMES, FACILITY AND STAFFING NEEDS, REDUCE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TIMES WITH ADDITIONAL FULL TIME STAFF POSITIONS OR PAID ON CALL SUPPORT, AND THEN IT LISTS SOME INCENTIVES TO HELP WITH THAT PURSUE THE CREATION OF A NEW FIRE AND EMS STATION IN THE RURAL AREAS OF THE COUNTY.
CONTINUE TO MODERNIZE AND EXPAND EXISTING FIRE AND EMS FACILITIES.
AND THEN WORK WITH AREA PROVIDERS TO ESTABLISH A TELEHEALTH PROGRAM AT COMMUNITY CENTERS, LIBRARIES AND OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION FACILITIES, AND WORK WITH REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TO ESTABLISH RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGNS AND INCENTIVES FOR PRIMARY CARE PRACTICES TO LOCATE IN THE COUNTY. SO I'LL GIVE YOU ALL A MINUTE TO MULL THIS OVER.
THAT'S PART OF THE PLAN, RIGHT? TO ADD STAFF.
BUT PROBABLY TO BUILD ONE OVER THERE TO FOR RESPONSE TIME BECAUSE [INAUDIBLE].
IF SO, STRATEGY NUMBER THREE SPECIFIES TEMPLETON.
WOULD IT BE BETTER TO NOT SPECIFY? IS THAT WHAT THE CONVERSATION WAS? I THINK MISS ELDER IS ASKING WHY TEMPLETON? LIKE, WHAT ABOUT THAT AREA IN PARTICULAR? AND IS IT JUST THE RESPONSE? TIME TO GET THERE FROM THE CLOSEST FIRE STATION? PROBABLY. SO IT'LL PROBABLY BE REFLECTED FURTHER IN THE LAND USE CHAPTER.
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IT'S BEEN TALK OF MOVING THE DEVELOPMENT BOUNDARY, AND IT MIGHT KIND OF ABSORB THAT TEMPLETON AREA.EMERGENCY SERVICES MASTER PLAN.
WE COULD GO FURTHER IN DEPTH AND FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHERE YOU NEED ONE.
ALL RIGHT. LET'S MOVE ON TO THE IMPROVING GOVERNANCE AND FACILITIES OBJECTIVE.
THE FIRST IS UPDATING THE COUNTY'S COMPREHENSIVE AND EXCUSE ME, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN, CIP, TO ENSURE MAJOR EXPENDITURES ARE COORDINATED WITH THE GOALS AND STRATEGIES IN THE COMP PLAN. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE YOU NEED TO DO IT, BUT WE PUT IT IN THERE SO THAT YOU WILL DO IT.
THE NEXT IS INCREASED COUNTY STAFFING LEVELS BY RECRUITING ADDITIONAL FULL TIME OR PART TIME STAFF.
OUTSOURCING THROUGH CONTRACT STAFF POSITIONS.
PROVIDING MORE REMOTE WORK POSITIONS.
ANYTHING WE'RE MISSING THERE, WE SHOULD ADD? YES. IS THERE A REASON FOR CONTRACT STAFF? JUST. I KNOW, LIKE I WHERE I WORK, WE'RE TRYING TO GET RID OF CONTRACTS BECAUSE IT COSTS A LOT MORE THAN ACTUALLY HIRING FTES.
IF THAT'S OF CONCERN, WE CAN DISCUSS IT.
BUT THE WAY I READ THE STRATEGY, IT'S JUST ANY WAY POSSIBLE THAT'S APPROPRIATE AT THE TIME.
TEMPLETON ON THE MAP IS AT 95 AND 35.
WHICH IS HALFWAY BETWEEN CARSON AND THE SOUTHERN CARSON SUBSTATION ON 301.
SO IT SEEMS TO ME THAT AREA IS PRETTY WELL COVERED AS IT IS, BUT MAYBE THE THING TO DO HERE IS TO NOT SPECIFY IT IN THE STRATEGY AND JUST TO LEAVE IT AS RURAL AREAS OR UNDERSERVED AREAS OF THE COUNTY.
YEAH, AND STAFF IS STILL REVIEWING THIS CHAPTER AS WELL.
SO WE CAN WORK ON THE WORDING OF THAT.
YEAH. BECAUSE YOU MAKE MORE SENSE TO ME TO PUT ONE DOWN LIKE BETWEEN THIS AND 35 FURTHER DOWN.
SO I MEAN, BUT THAT'S UP TO DISCUSSION.
IT'S NOT NECESSARILY THE PLACE THE COMP PLAN TO DO SO.
SO WE CAN SOFTEN THAT STRATEGY OR TWEAK IT AS NEEDED.
ALL RIGHT. THE NEXT CATEGORY OF STRATEGIES ARE ABOUT ENSURING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT THEY MEET THE NEEDS OF A GROWING POPULATION AND THESE AGAIN HAVE TO DO WITH PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM AS WELL AS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND AGAIN WORKFORCE WILL BE ADDRESSED A LOT MORE IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER.
BUT THERE IS, AS WE SAID BEFORE, OVERLAP BETWEEN ALL OF THESE ALL OF THESE TOPICS.
SO QUITE A FEW STRATEGIES HERE.
LIBRARIES OFTEN SERVE AS COMMUNITY CENTERS.
INCENTIVES. NUMBER 15 CREATE LOCAL TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR CHILD CARE SERVICES THROUGH THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND CAREER TRAINING PROGRAMS. BOLSTER PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL AND REGIONAL INDUSTRY AND BUSINESS LEADERS TO OFFER JOB SHADOWING, INTERNSHIPS, APPRENTICESHIPS, ETC.
[00:35:07]
IN ORDER TO GET STUDENTS INTO THE CAREER PIPELINE AND LOCAL WORKFORCE SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS THROUGH COUNTY SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY CENTERS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, AND REGIONAL COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO HELP PREPARE THE COMMUNITY WORKFORCE FOR EMPLOYMENT.I HAVE NOTHING TO ADD. I LIKE THAT IT SAYS STATE OF THE ART EDUCATION.
IS THERE A COMMENT BREWING? JUST PROCESSING.
ALL RIGHT. I'LL MOVE ON TO THE LAST SET OF STRATEGIES AND THIS IS ABOUT CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY TO RECREATIONAL AMENITIES, WHICH WE HEARD AN AWFUL LOT ABOUT THROUGHOUT PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT.
SO NUMBER ONE HERE OR NUMBER 18 HERE, CREATE A PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN THAT IDENTIFIES GAPS IN SERVICES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPAND RECREATION ACROSS THE COMMUNITY. NEXT IS WORK WITH LOCAL AND REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TO CREATE ADDITIONAL HIKING AND BIKING TRAILS THAT CONNECT TO THE EXISTING TRAIL SYSTEM AND EXISTING PARKS, PARTNER WITH LOCAL AND REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AS WELL AS PRIVATE LANDOWNERS TO INCREASE ACCESS TO THE JAMES AND APPOMATTOX AND THEN FINALLY EXPLORE OPTIONS TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO A PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL FOR THE COMMUNITY, EITHER THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH ORGANIZATIONS OR COUNTY OWNERSHIP.
I THINK I READ SOMEWHERE IN THE CHAPTER ABOUT POTENTIALLY LIKE A SPLASH PAD AT MAYBE SCOTT PARK OR ONE OF THE PARKS IS THAT I MEAN, I GUESS IT'S COVERED BASICALLY UNDER THESE, LIKE UNDER THE MASTER PLAN.
WOULD THAT BE WHAT IT WOULD BE? YEAH, THEY'RE I MEAN, THE SCOTT PARK HAS A THERE'S A MASTER PLAN FOR SCOTT PARK THAT MAY INCLUDE A SPLASH PAD.
CHRIS, DO YOU CALL THAT OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD? I THINK IT WAS IN HERE SOMEWHERE.
LET ME LOOK. I CAN THERE WAS A MASTER PLAN PREPARED.
IT WASN'T, LIKE, OFFICIALLY ADOPTED.
BUT IT WAS ONE OF THE MANY THINGS THAT WAS IDENTIFIED AS POTENTIAL TO ADD TO THAT PROPERTY AND [INAUDIBLE] IT'S REALLY MORE APPROPRIATE FOR LIKE A MASTER PLAN FOR THAT SPECIFIC DEPARTMENT RATHER THAN A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
WE TRY AND GUIDE THEM IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
YEAH. AND NUMBER 21, THE PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL, MADE IT IN BECAUSE WE HEARD THAT A LOT.
YEAH. NO, I'VE HEARD A LOT FROM PARENTS WITH YOUNGER CHILDREN.
POOLS, SPLASH PADS, THINGS LIKE THAT.
SO THAT'S WHY WHEN I READ IT, I WAS LIKE, OH, THAT'S COOL.
OKAY. THAT IS THE LAST OF THE STRATEGIES FOR CHAPTER FOUR.
GENERAL QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON CHAPTER FOUR.
WHEN YOU'RE TALKING HEALTH AND WELFARE.
I KNOW YOU GET A WHOLE LOT OF COMPLAINTS IN THE COUNTY ABOUT TRASH PICKUP.
I MEAN, EVEN IF THEY TAKE IF PEOPLE TAKE STUFF TO THE DUMP HERE, YOU HAVE TO PAY TO GET RID OF IT.
YEAH AND I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE AROUND OUR WAY.
THEY'RE TAKING THEIR TRASH TO THE DUMP.
BUT IF IT BLOWS OUT ON THE ROAD AS THEY'RE COMING BY, THAT'S A GOOD DEAL, YOU KNOW? WELL, THAT'S THAT MUCH LESS TO HAVE TO PAY FOR.
SO IS THERE SOME WAY WE COULD PUT THAT IN A PLAN TO SUBSIDIZE? I MEAN, IT'S LIKE A IT'S A HEALTH ISSUE WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT.
IT IS AND THIS WOULD BE IT CERTAINLY IS A HEALTH ISSUE.
IT'S AN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE AND THIS WOULD BE THE CHAPTER TO ADDRESS IT.
IT WOULD BE A SERVICE THAT THE COUNTY IS PROVIDING.
SO WHAT IS YOU STARTED TO CRAFT A.
NO, THAT'S WHAT I WAS SAYING. LIKE, WOULD IT BE LIKE SUBSIDIZING LIKE THE COSTS OF THE DUMP? IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE REFERRING TO? OR EITHER I MEAN, LIKE IN SUSSEX COUNTY.
IF YOU'RE A RESIDENT, YOU CAN GO TO THE DUMP AND DUMP YOUR TRASH.
OH, I KNOW CHESTER'S, LIKE, $7 FOR A LOAD A WHOLE, LIKE, PICKUP TRUCK FULL OF WHATEVER.
YEAH, BECAUSE MY BROTHER IN LAW, I MAKE HIM TAKE MY STUFF, AND YOU GOT TO PAY BY THE POUND.
[00:40:05]
FOR TRASH AND RECYCLING DISPOSAL AND ENSURE THAT THE COUNTY'S FACILITIES ARE CONSISTENT WITH WHAT THE COUNTY WANTS AND NEEDS. SO SOME KIND OF PLAN, AGAIN, ANOTHER KIND OF FACILITIES PLAN COULD AND YOU COULD HAVE A FACILITIES PLAN THAT LOOKS AT MULTIPLE THINGS. BUT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE COULD LOOK AT HOW TO FIT THAT INTO THIS CHAPTER.YEAH, I THINK THAT'S A GOOD POINT AND LIKE TIM SAID EARLIER, STAFF IS STILL REVIEWING THIS CHAPTER.
SO WE CAN WORK TO CRAFT SOMETHING, ADD SOME LANGUAGE.
[INAUDIBLE] YEAH, WELL, IN ANY EVENT, FOR ANY KIND OF FURNITURE, THEY DON'T.
YEAH, WE WILL LOOK INTO THAT LANGUAGE ALONG THOSE LINES.
OKAY, SO WE HAVE REACHED THE END.
SO LIKE I SAID EARLIER A WEEK, ESSENTIALLY TO RETURN COMMENTS ON THIS FIRST DRAFT OF THE CHAPTER AND, TIM, WE DIDN'T ACTUALLY TALK ABOUT HOW YOU WANT TO HANDLE INCOMING EDITS FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
YOU WANT THEM TO EMAIL THEM TO YOU.
WE ALSO HAVE A LINK THAT THE COMMISSIONERS CAN USE AND I CAN RESEND THAT OUT.
YEP. SO THAT IF YOU WANT TO JUST FILL OUT THIS FORM ONLINE, YOU CAN DO THAT.
BUT IF YOU DON'T WANT TO, YOU CAN EMAIL ME AS WELL.
WE'VE GOT A REVIEW LINK WHERE YOU CAN POST YOUR COMMENTS ON THE DOCUMENT OR IF YOU'RE NOT COMFORTABLE DOING THAT, TIM WILL TAKE THEM IN WRITING. SO WHATEVER WAY WORKS FOR YOU.
ALL RIGHT. THAT IS ALL WE HAVE.
YES, MA'AM? THIS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN [INAUDIBLE] PROBABLY 2025 TO 2045.
IT'S A 20 YEAR PLAN TECHNICALLY.
[IANUDIBLE]. YEAH, SUMMER OF LATE SUMMER OF 2025.
THAT IS JUST THAT'S THE NAME OF THE PLAN GIVING YOU THE PLANNING HORIZON.
IT HAS TO BE REVIEWED EVERY FIVE YEARS THOUGH, RIGHT? IT HAS TO BE REVIEWED EVERY FIVE YEARS.
YEP. BUT NOT A TOTAL OVERHAUL.
IS IT? ALL RIGHT, WELL, IF THERE'S NOTHING ELSE, THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME.
AND WE WILL SEE YOU IN NOVEMBER.
[INAUDIBLE]. OFFICIALLY ADJOURNED.
[COMMUNICATIONS]
YES, I HAVE A COUPLE BRIEF COMMUNICATIONS.WE WANT TO WELCOME OUR PLANNER, ONE, JACK GREENSTEIN.
HE JUST STARTED ON SEPTEMBER 16TH.
SO THERE'S CURRENTLY THREE STAFF MEMBERS IN THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT.
WE HAVE ONE MORE POSITION WE'RE TRYING TO FILL.
TO GET BACK TO THE NORMAL STAFFING LEVELS THAT WE HAVE FUNDED.
A QUICK UPDATE. THE SURVEY HAS EXPIRED AS OF TODAY.
THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 680 RESPONSES.
WE'VE HAD THE TWO LISTENING SESSIONS WHERE THE PLANNING COMMISSION LISTENED TO THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND SO THE NEXT STEPS TENTATIVELY ARE FOR THE PLANNING STAFF TO PREPARE A REPORT FOR THE COMMISSION, AND THAT'S GOING TO BE IN NOVEMBER.
THAT WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU A REPORT AND THAT'LL BE THE NEXT STEP.
ALSO IN NOVEMBER, YES WE HAVE.
SO AT A WORK SESSION, WE'LL GIVE YOU A REPORT ON THE CHICKENS TOPIC AND WHAT WAS WHAT WE FOUND OUT.
AND WE'LL ALSO HAVE, AS YOU JUST SEE RIGHT NOW, THE WORK SESSION FOR THIS PLANNING COMMISSION, I MEAN FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE AND THEN WE HAVE TWO CASES FOR THAT MEETING AS WELL. SO THE ONES THAT WERE JUST POSTPONED FROM NOT HAVING THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING ON THURSDAY, THOSE
[00:45:04]
ARE [INAUDIBLE].THEY WERE IN THE STREET AT MY SUBDIVISION AGAIN.
PEOPLE DON'T CARE AND THERE'S A PAUSE ON ENFORCEMENT AT THE MOMENT.
I KNOW THAT'S WHY PEOPLE DON'T CARE.
THEY'RE LIKE, OH, I COULD JUST DO WHATEVER I WANT.
WELL, DID EVERYONE GET THEIR EMAIL ON THE.
THAT'S WHAT I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU.
WE GOT AN EMAIL ABOUT ANOTHER 106 HOUSE SUBDIVISION.
OH, DID YOU GET IT? DID IT HAVE A NAME ASSOCIATED WITH IT? SUMMER. HOLD ON. SOUTHERLY RUN! YEAH, WHAT DID YOU HEAR? THERE'S A MEETING SCHEDULED.
THEY'RE HAVING A COMMUNITY MEETING TO MEET WITH THE NEIGHBORS.
YEAH, WE'RE AWARE OF THAT PROJECT.
OKAY. THERE'S NO OFFICIAL APPLICATION.
THEY'RE IN THE PRELIMINARY STAGES.
YEAH, IT'S ALL IN THAT SAME AREA OFF OF MIDDLE ROAD.
IS THAT A NUMBER? YEAH. NUMBER ANYMORE? THAT WAS THE CASE. THAT WAS SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY.
YEAH. AND THEN THIS NEW ONE SAYS IT'S DIFFERENT ALSO.
I MEAN YES, THAT'S WHAT HE WAS SAYING.
IS IT STANDARD NUMBER FOR SOMETHING.
IT'S PROBABLY IT'S SHOULD BE A COINCIDENCE.
OKAY. SO ARE THERE ANY MORE QUESTIONS FOR STAFF? OKAY AND I DIDN'T HAVE ANY MORE COMMUNICATIONS FOR STAFF.
THANK YOU. MEETING ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.