Planning Commission

Meetings

Meetings of the Planning Commission are formal proceedings. All comments are recorded by the Clerk and on audio. An agenda and complete meeting packet with supporting documentation are provided to the public at each meeting.

Regular Meetings

Regular Meetings are held to review and conduct public hearings on current development applications. All regular meetings include a period for general public comment and are held in the Circuit Courtroom of the Cumberland Courthouse unless otherwise posted.

Workshop Meetings

Workshop Meetings are held to focus on long-range and comprehensive planning matters. If there are no items for the agenda for any workshop, it may be canceled with prior notification. Workshops are open to the public, but there is no general public comment period unless noted. Workshop meetings will be held in the Board meeting room in the basement of the Administration building unless otherwise posted.

Closed Meetings

In certain instances, the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) permits the Commission to meet in a session at which the public is excluded. When such a meeting is held, it will be announced at a regular Commission meeting, and/or advertised as required under FOIA. The notice shall include the specific Code section that authorizes the meeting and the subject of the discussion. No action may be taken in closed session; action requires a vote in a public, formal session of the Board.

Guidelines for Citizen Participation

Citizens may address the Commission during the Public Hearings and Public Comment sections of the Commission meetings. Sign up sheets are provided and will be used to determine the order of speakers. Generally, speakers are requested to limit their remarks to three minutes, although the Chairman may allow exceptions at their discretion.

Public Hearings

Public hearings are scheduled to provide time to specifically hear from the public concerning a subject in question. Prior to the public hearing, the scheduled date and subject must be advertised. Comments from the audience are invited once the Chairman opens the public hearing. After receiving comments, the Chairman will close the public hearing.

Public Comments

Public comments are scheduled as part of the agenda at each regular Commission meeting. This is the time for the public to address any non-agenda items. Speakers may speak only once. Generally, public comments will not be heard at workshop meetings. When you are called upon to speak, you are requested to:

1. Come to the speaker's podium and speak into the microphone.
2. State your name, address, and district for the record.
3. Address your comments/questions to the Chairman.
4. If you have a written statement, please file it with the Clerk for the record.
5. If you represent a group, please state the name of the group and your position.

The public comment period is for speakers to have uninterrupted time to address the Commission; It is not a question-and-answer period. If a Commissioner wishes to address a speaker, he or she will do so after the speaker is finished with their comments, and after requesting the floor from the Chairman.

Other meetings may be scheduled as needed in addition to those above. The Public is invited to appear and present their views. Any persons with disabilities are urged to contact the County Administrator's Office prior to any meeting to arrange for any necessary accommodations. For additional information, please contact the County Administrator's office at 804-492-3625.

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.

Members