STAFFORD COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION

The Stafford County Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing on Wednesday, November 19, 2008, beginning at 7:30 P.M. in the Board of Supervisors Chambers, Stafford County Administration Center, 1300 Courthouse Road on the items listed below.

1. Amendment to Zoning Ordinance – Amendment to Section 28-25, Definitions of Specific Terms, and Section 28-122, Certain Types Prohibited in all Districts, of the Zoning Ordinance, pursuant to O08-83. The amendment modifies the definition of commercial vehicle by restricting commercial vehicles which are not owned, leased, or operated by the occupant of the property at which it is parked. The amendment stipulates that the definition of commercial vehicle does not include any vehicle operated by a public agency; farm vehicle or equipment located on property used for agricultural purposes; motor home; camping trailer; boat; boat trailer; horse trailer; or similar recreational equipment recognized as personal property and not for hire; emergency fuel oil delivery truck or sanitary sewage disposal truck which has been approved by the County; and/or any public or private vehicle used exclusively for the transportation of persons to and from a school, day care center, place of religious worship, community service organization, or activities related thereto.

The amendment prohibits any sign attached to, painted, or displayed on a commercial vehicle that is an arrow, or other directional symbols or language, for example, “Turn Left Here”, that provides direction to a use on the lot in which the commercial vehicle is parked or to an adjacent lot, or any sign attached, painted, or displayed on a commercial vehicle that is parked twenty-five (25) feet or less from any public right-of-way, located on the same lot, or an adjacent lot, as the establishment to which the sign identifies.

2. Amendment to Zoning Ordinance – Amendment to Section 28-25, Definitions of Specific Terms; Section 28-245, When Required; Section 28-252, Approval and Disapproval Generally; and Section 28-256, Required Standards and Improvements Generally; of the Zoning Ordinance, pursuant to O08-84. The amendment modifies the above listed sections as follows:
· Modifies the definition of major development as any nonresidential development involving construction and/or land disturbance greater than or equal to two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet. Any residential development not subject to Chapter 22 of the Subdivision Ordinance.
· Modifies the definition of minor development as any nonresidential development involving construction or land disturbance totaling a minimum of one thousand (1,000) square feet and less than two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet; any change of use where additional parking is required; or any enlargement to an existing building or structure where there is no change in the construction footprint.
· The amendment clarifies a preliminary site plan shall be submitted for all major developments when proposing two (2) or more detached buildings within the same contiguous development plan. The purpose of a preliminary site plan is to provide a concept of the proposed use of the subject property. Upon written request, the requirement for the submittal of the preliminary site plan may be waived by the agent provided the site has an approved General Development Plan (GDP) and the proposed development is in general conformance with the GDP.
· The amendment clarifies a minor grading plan may be submitted for the purpose of:
1. Clearing more than 2,500 square feet but less than 21,780 square feet (1/2 acre) and does not involve any structures or buildings;
2. Adding fill with no structures or buildings;
3. Stockpiling;
4. Drainage project; or
5. Other projects approved by the Erosion and Sediment Control/Stormwater Management Administrator.
· The amendment clarifies a major grading plan may be submitted for the purpose of clearing, grading or stockpiling an area two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet or more that does not involve any structures, buildings or public facilities.
· The amendment clarifies an infrastructure plan may be submitted for the approval of pump stations and linear projects such as, but not limited to roads, sidewalks, trails and stormwater management facilities.
· The amendment no longer requires the posting of securities prior to the approval of a major site plan and requires the posting of securities prior to the issuance of a land disturbance permit.

Copies of the above items and related materials are on file in the Department of Planning and Zoning, 1300 Courthouse Road, and may be examined Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. All interested individuals are invited to attend and present oral or written comments. Persons in need of special accommodations in order to preview the information or to participate in the public hearing should contact the Department of Planning and Zoning at (540) 658-8668 so that reasonable accommodations can be provided.

BY ORDER OF STAFFORD COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION

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