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1. I want to get involved with the Comprehensive Plan process. How do I do that?

The Board of Supervisors are actively recruiting for volunteers for a Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. The Steering Committee appointments will be made by the Board of Supervisors, and committee work will begin in summer/fall 2018 and is expected to continue through the spring of 2020.  Over this time, members of the Steering Committee will be expected to attend meetings on at least a monthly basis and several community meetings. Find out more here.

2. Where is the Planning Division office located?

The Planning Division office is located in the Administration Building. View the contact information for the Planning Division.

3. What is the population of York County?

The Planning Division’s latest estimate is 67,200 as of January 1, 2016, which is slightly lower than the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service’s estimate of 67,396 as of July 1, 2014. The Cooper Center is responsible for producing the official population estimates for all of Virginia’s counties and cities. The Census Bureau’s estimate for York County is 66,342 as of July 1, 2014.

4. What is the population of the Bruton District?

The Bruton magisterial district, which includes all the land in the County north and west of King Creek (i.e., west of the Naval Weapons Station but including Cheatham Annex), had 12,056 residents as of the 2010 Census. Since then, the Planning Division estimates that the Bruton District has grown to approximately 12,350 residents (as of January 1, 2016).

5. What is the Comprehensive Plan?

The Comprehensive Plan is the long-range plan for the physical development of the County. It sets forth the County's future plans for transportation, community facilities, the environment, housing, economic development, and historic resources. It is implemented by the County's various development ordinances, particularly the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances, as well as the Capital Improvements Program.

6. What is the Planning Commission?

The Planning Commission is a group of 7 County citizens appointed by the Board of Supervisors to serve as an advisory body on land use planning issues. There is 1 representative from each of the County's 5 election districts, plus 2 members who represent the County at large.

The Commission reviews each application for a Zoning Map amendment (i.e., rezoning) or a Special Use Permit, conducts a public hearing, and then makes a recommendation of approval or denial to the Board of Supervisors. The Board makes the final decision on all applications.

7. 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.

8. Can I have a garage apartment or accessory dwelling unity on my property?

It depends on how your property is zoned, how large it is, how big the apartment would be, and whether it would be in a detached structure or attached to the principal home. Accessory apartments must be clearly incidental and subordinate to the principal residence. Apartments are permitted as a matter of right in all single-family residential zoning districts as long as the floor area of the apartment does not exceed 1,000 square feet or 35% of the floor area of the principal dwelling - or 49% upon authorization by Special Use Permit - whichever is less.

In no case can the lot coverage (i.e., building footprint) of a detached accessory apartment exceed 75% of the lot coverage of the principal structure.

9. Can I operate a business in my home?

Home occupations that are permitted by right include artists, authors, dressmakers, home crafts, and home office facilities that do not have customer or client contact on the premises (accountants, brokers, clergymen, engineers, etc.). As a general rule, home occupations that involve on-premises customer or client contact require a Special Use Permit from the Board of Supervisors. There are exceptions - including photography studios, day care for up to 6 children, and tutoring or music lessons for up to 4 persons - all of which are permitted as a matter of right in the RC, RR, R33, R20, and R13 zoning districts.

Other home occupations that require a Special Use Permit include those that have non-resident employees or generate a parking demand for at least 3 parking spaces. Small contracting businesses in the RC, RR, or WCI zoning district also require a Special Use Permit. Prohibited home occupations include auto repair and servicing, funeral homes, gift shops, medical or dental clinics and restaurants.

10. How long does a rezoning, special use permit or planned development process take?

The rezoning and special use permit process typically takes between 2 and 3 months. Planned Development applications require an extra month to process.

11. Where can I find out about applications coming before the Planning Commission?

All owners of adjacent property are notified by mail of rezoning and use permit applications. The County also posts a sign on any property that is the subject of an application. Public hearing notices appear in the legal advertisement section of Friday’s Daily Press 5 and 12 days before the meeting date. You can find the Planning Commission’s upcoming meeting agenda on the Planning Division page.

12. 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?

13. When and where does the Planning Commission meet?

The Commission meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the
York Hall
2nd Floor Board Meeting Room
301 Main Street
Yorktown, VA 23690

Meetings are televised live on Channel 46 and streamed live on the WYCG-TV website.

14. How can I make my opinions known to the Planning Commission?

The most effective way to participate is to speak at the public hearing. There are sign-up forms at the meeting for those who wish to address the Commission. Applicants are given 10 minutes to present their case to the Commission. All other speakers have up to 3 minutes each, so you need to be concise to make sure you get your point across in the time allotted.

15. 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 signature on a petition.

16. What if I can't attend the public hearing?

If you are not able to attend a public hearing, you can contact your district Planning Commissioner. All comments will be forwarded to the Planning Commission and become part of the public record. You can also write, call or email the Planning Division.