Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission Joint Meeting 5/13/2026

The Franklin County, VA Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission held a joint meeting on May 13, 2026, to discuss the comprehensive rewrite of the county's zoning ordinance, originally adopted in 1988. The Berkeley Group presented an update on the project, including public engagement feedback and proposed amendment options to address concerns such as agricultural land preservation, lot sizes, road frontage, setbacks, impervious surface limits, and regulations on data centers, solar and wind energy, and short-term rentals. The Planning Commission expressed that the draft ordinance was prematurely released to the public and the Board, resulting in significant public concern and confusion. They recommended pausing the Berkeley Group's involvement to allow the Commission to develop a communication plan and conduct further stakeholder engagement to better align the ordinance with community needs. The Board of Supervisors supported this approach, emphasizing the need for a more user-friendly, streamlined document and greater public involvement before moving forward. No specific timeline was set, with both bodies agreeing to establish a roadmap for completing the ordinance update. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn after a collaborative discussion on next steps and communication improvements.