Joint Public Hearing - Supervisors and Planning Commission 8.27.26

The Smyth County Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission held a joint public hearing on August 27, 2026, to consider a special use permit application for an accessory building exceeding 150 square feet without a main building on a property near 1335 Camp Road, Sugar Grove, Virginia. The applicant intends to use the building primarily for storage and workshop purposes related to property maintenance, including housing a tractor and recreational equipment. Public comments focused on tree lines, access roads, and septic system plans. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the special use permit. Additionally, the commission discussed proposed zoning ordinance amendments related to data centers, including building height limits, setback requirements, lot coverage restrictions, decommissioning plans, and water usage guidelines. They debated maximum building heights (ultimately recommending 95 feet plus 30 feet for rooftop equipment), setback distances for rooftop mechanical equipment, and the inclusion of decommissioning bonds or letters of credit to ensure site restoration. The commission voted to forward the draft data center ordinance with recommended changes to the Board of Supervisors for consideration. The meeting included detailed discussions on balancing development needs with environmental and community impacts, emphasizing special use permit conditions to manage future projects.