AGENDA DATE: 6/17/2026
TITLE:
Title
Resolutions of Intent to address changes in the Code of Virginia for solar facilities, parking requirements, battery energy storage systems, manufactured housing, wireless facilities, affordable housing, and project review timelines.
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Adoption of resolutions of intent to address changes in the Code of Virginia
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Herrick, Tevendale, Fritz
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: The 2025 and 2026 General Assembly sessions resulted in changes to the Code of Virginia. The County Code is not consistent with these changes to the Code of Virginia.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Safety & Well-Being - Nurture a safe and healthy community.
DISCUSSION: In the 2026 session of the General Assembly, a multitude of bills were adopted that amended the Code of Virginia and impact local government's authority to regulate and review a variety of uses. These changes require amendments to the County's zoning ordinance. The bills impacting the County Code are:
1. HB 711 / SB 347 Solar facilities; local regulation, permits, special exceptions-Unless permitted by-right the zoning ordinance must be amended to mandate special exception/special use permit review for all projects =1 MW in every zoning district, incorporate new state-required criteria (setbacks, screening, height, decommissioning, and SCC reporting), and treat these applications even when inconsistent with the County's Comprehensive Plan;
2. HB 888 Minimum off-street parking requirements; definitions, administrative reductions-Requires the County to rewrite its parking ordinance to apply strict parking maximums in designated transit-adjacent areas and to provide a mandatory administrative reduction of at least 20% for residential and mixed-use projects outside those areas, along with revising single family dwelling parking requirements to com...
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