Citizen's Guide

How YOU can get involved in land use decisions that affect you:

Who determines how land can be used?

The use of land is greatly influenced by zoning. Zoning determines what can and cannot be done on a piece of land. For every parcel in the County, there are certain uses that are allowed as a matter of right, certain other uses that are allowed only under certain specific conditions established by the Board of Supervisors in granting a Special Use Permit, and some uses that are not allowed under any circumstances. Anyone who owns land in York County can apply for a change in the zoning (or rezoning) for his or her property or for a Special Use Permit. All rezoning and use permit applications are referred to the Planning Commission.

What is the Planning Commission?

The Planning Commission is a group of seven County citizens appointed by the Board of Supervisors to serve as an advisory body on land use planning issues. There is one representative from each of the County’s five election districts, plus two members who represent the County at large. The Commission’s job is to review each application, conduct a public hearing, and then make a recommendation of approval or denial to the Board of Supervisors, which makes the final decision. Citizen input is a vital part of this process.

Where can I find out about issues coming before the Planning Commission?

All owners of adjacent property are notified of rezoning and use permit applications. The County also posts a distinctive orange sign on the property that is the subject of the application. Public hearing notices appear in the legal advertisement section of Tuesday’s Daily Press 15 days before the meeting date and again the week before the meeting. You can find the Planning Commission’s agenda on York County Cable Channel 46 and on the Planning Division web site.

How can I get the facts about an application that has been submitted?

If you have cable TV you can watch "York News" on the first or fourth Wednesday of each month for a report on upcoming rezoning and use permit applications. This program airs on Channel 46 at 7:00 p.m. and is re-telecast the following Thursday through Monday at 11:00 a.m. and p.m. and at 7:00 p.m. You cannot always rely on the applicant, neighbors, or newspapers to give you all the information you need to know, so if you want more information, you should contact the Planning Division.

On what does the Planning Commission base its recommendation?

Every application is unique and involves its own set of issues. However, the three major issues that are generally of greatest importance to the Commission in making its recommendation are:

• Does the proposed use conform to the Comprehensive Plan?
• Is the proposed use compatible with surrounding development?

• What impact will the proposed use have on the County’s roads, utilities, schools, and other public facilities and services?

How can I make my opinions known to the Planning Commission?
The most effective way to participate is to attend the public hearing and register your opinion. There are sign-up forms at the meeting for those who wish to address the Commission, but you do not have to fill one out to speak. The applicant is given ten minutes to present his or her case to the Commission. All other speakers are limited to three minutes apiece, so you need to be concise to make sure you get your point across in the time allotted. It helps to prepare your remarks in advance. If you have a large group--such as a church or homeowners’ association--attend a public hearing on an application, it is best to have a spokesperson who will ask everyone in the group to stand for a moment to show the Commission how many people he or she represents.

When and where does the Planning Commission meet?
The Commission meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Board Room on the second floor of York Hall, 301 Main Street, in Yorktown. Meetings are televised live on Channel 46 and are repeated Thursday and Friday at 11:30 a.m. and p.m. and at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at 3:30 p.m.

Does the Planning Commission accept petitions?
Signed petitions pertaining to a particular application become part of the public record when submitted. Although petitions can sometimes be an effective way for a large number of people to register their opinion, they are not always an accurate reflection of community sentiment. While the Commission will always consider petitions when evaluating an application, a good, strong argument made at a public hearing typically carries more weight than a name on a petition.

Write or call your district Planning Commissioner.

P. O. Box 532
224 Ballard Street
Yorktown, Virginia 23690-0532