Fredericksburg meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Planning Commission schedules UDO update for Council; City Council to weigh data center zoning

The Fredericksburg Planning Commission this week reviewed a proposed update to the city's Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to align with 2026 state code changes, and scheduled the item for a public hearing and recommendation to City Council. No formal vote was taken. The update covers manufactured housing, temporary wireless facilities, solar, battery storage, data center site assessments, and off-street parking.

Planning Commission

The commission reviewed the UDO text amendment (UDOTA) at its Aug. 12 meeting. The item is now scheduled for a public hearing and a recommendation to City Council. Staff also reported that Ellie Dauernheim has been hired as Community Development/Historic Resource Planner, and that staff presented at preservation and planning conferences. A request for proposals is out for the Courtland Drive Corridor Study and Small Area 4/9 planning. Upcoming Council items include the 1500 Gateway data center project.

Architectural Review Board

The Architectural Review Board met Aug. 10 for a public hearing on a continued application for porch alterations at 1318 Caroline St. and three new applications for window and door changes at 111, 925, and 1001 Caroline St. The board also considered a consent agenda covering fence, sign, and awning installations at five addresses on Caroline and Sophia Streets. Minutes have not yet been published, so no decisions are recorded.

Economic Development Authority

The Economic Development Authority's Aug. 10 agenda included a presentation on Virginia's Innovation Crossroads regional rebranding and marketing by Tom Scott, approval of July meeting minutes, a July 2026 budget update, and reports from committees including InvestFXBG loans, parking, and workforce development. The agenda was tentative and subject to change; minutes are not yet available.

City Council

City Council met Aug. 14 with an agenda that included a second reading of a FY27 budget amendment to fund the city's 300th anniversary celebration, a first reading of capital improvement plan amendments, a lease for office space and parking at 608 Jackson Street for the Department of Social Services, an appointment to the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board, and a contract authorization for police camera and related technology to Axon, Inc. No decisions are recorded because minutes have not been published.

Coming up

• **Architectural Review Board** – Aug. 24: Site visit and discussion of a certificate of appropriateness for porch alterations at 1318 Caroline St., plus a public comment period.
• **City Council public hearing** – Aug. 25: A zoning map amendment and special use permit for a proposed data center at 1500 Gateway; a site lease for landfill gas recovery with Terreva Stafford RNG, LLC (postponed to Sept. 22); and a first read of a UDO text amendment modifying single-family dwelling regulations. Appointments include a Deputy Clerk and Senior Assistant City Attorney.
• **City Council work session** – Aug. 25: Discussion of updated 2027 City Council priorities. No votes are listed on the agenda.

Planning Commission advances zoning update; City Council weighs anniversary budget

Fredericksburg's Planning Commission took the week's only formal action, scheduling a public hearing on a proposed update to the city's zoning code. The City Council, meanwhile, considered a budget amendment for the city's 300th anniversary celebration, and several other boards met on routine business.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission met Aug. 12 and reviewed a proposed Unified Development Ordinance text amendment (UDOTA) to align with 2026 Virginia state code changes. The amendment covers manufactured housing, temporary wireless facilities, solar, battery storage, data center site assessments, and off-street parking. No formal vote was taken; the item is scheduled for a public hearing and a recommendation to City Council.

Staff also reported on new hires and upcoming projects. Ellie Dauernheim was noted as the new Community Development/Historic Resource Planner. Staff presented at preservation and planning conferences. A request for proposals is out for the Courtland Drive Corridor Study and Small Area 4/9 planning. Upcoming City Council items include the 1500 Gateway data center project.

City Council

The City Council met Aug. 14 on an agenda that included a second reading of a FY27 budget amendment to fund the city's 300th anniversary celebration. The council also held a public hearing on a lease for office space and parking at 608 Jackson Street for the Department of Social Services. Other items included a first reading of capital improvement plan amendments, an appointment to the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (Kenneth Lapin), and a contract authorization for police camera and related technology to Axon, Inc. No votes were reported; minutes have not yet been published.

Architectural Review Board

The Architectural Review Board met Aug. 10 and held a public hearing on a continued application for porch alterations at 1318 Caroline Street (COA 2510-0157). Three new applications were also considered: window opening alterations at 111 Caroline Street (COA 2606-0208), new window and door openings at 925 Caroline Street (COA 2607-0221), and new storefront windows and doors at 1001 Caroline Street (COA 2607-0222). The board also voted on a consent agenda covering fence, sign, and awning installations at 138, 417, 99, 606, and 1115 Caroline/Sophia Streets. Minutes are not yet published.

Economic Development Authority

The Economic Development Authority met Aug. 10 and heard a presentation on Virginia's Innovation Crossroads regional rebranding and marketing by Tom Scott. The board approved minutes from its July 13 meeting, reviewed the July 2026 budget update, and received reports from committees including InvestFXBG loans, parking, workforce development, tourism, and Main Street. The agenda was marked tentative and subject to change.

Electoral Board

The Electoral Board met Aug. 4 to administer the Republican Primary election. The board conducted vote canvassing on Aug. 5 and a provisional canvass on Aug. 10, followed by a post-election canvass. The session included potential closed portions as permitted by state law. Minutes have not yet been published.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days.

EDA approves housing agreement for former Mary Washington Hospital site; City Council weighs budget amendments and towing ordinance

The Fredericksburg Economic Development Authority approved a resolution to execute an agreement with 2300 Fall Hill Partners, LLC for the redevelopment of the former Mary Washington Hospital property, securing 70 units within a 242-unit development with specific affordability targets. Minutes for that meeting have not yet been published.

Economic Development Authority — July 13

The EDA's resolution, identified as Resolution No. 26-06, covers an Economic Development Agreement with 2300 Fall Hill Partners, LLC for the former Mary Washington Hospital redevelopment. The agreement secures 70 units within a 242-unit development, with specific affordability targets noted in the agenda.

The board also discussed the Serve and Stay Fredericksburg program, with an allocation of $30,000 to establish it. The FY2027 budget amendment under review included $14,000 for legal expenditures and $15,000 for marketing and promotions.

Minutes for this meeting have not yet been published; the details above are drawn from the agenda.

City Council — July 14

City Council's regular meeting agenda included several resolutions and public hearings:

• An FY 2027 Budget Amendment for the City's 300th Anniversary Celebration.
• A First Read of amendments to the FY 2027–FY 2031 Capital Improvement Plan.
• A public hearing for a lease with the Fredericksburg Department of Social Services at 608 Jackson Street.
• Proposed amendments to City Code Chapter 72 (Uniform Development Ordinance).
• Contract authorization for police camera and related technology to Axon, Inc.

A separate City Council work session the same day covered proposed amendments to the towing ordinance, plus updates on AXON technology and city trees.

Minutes for both sessions have not yet been published, so it is not yet confirmed which items were decided versus discussed.

Architectural Review Board — July 13

The Architectural Review Board's agenda included a consent agenda covering sign and security-camera installations at multiple properties, including 1314 Princess Anne Street, 723 Caroline Street, and 307 Amelia Street. A public hearing was scheduled for several construction applications:

• COA 2605-0201 — sign installation at 1314 Princess Anne Street.
• COA 2606-0214 — attic fan installation at 1205 Charles Street.
• COA 2606-0206 — solar panel installation at 124 Caroline Street.
• COA 2606-0207 — accessory garage elevation changes and wood deck at 203 Ford Street.
• COA 2512-0164 — storefront window alteration at 407 William Street.

Minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes for these applications are not yet confirmed.

Planning Commission — July 8

The Planning Commission minutes are a placeholder with no recorded actions or votes. The only substantive content was a public comment letter from the Mayfield Civic Association regarding the Area 8/Mayfield Zoning Amendment for a Creative Maker District. No decisions, approvals, denials, or tablings occurred at this meeting.

Electoral Board — July 7

The Electoral Board's agenda included establishing canvass dates and times for the August 4, 2026 Republican Primary, approving election officers for that primary, approving minutes from the June 2, 2026 meeting, and receiving a general registrar report. Minutes have not yet been published.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Residents interested in the August 4 Republican Primary should watch for Electoral Board canvass dates and election officer appointments to be finalized.

Fredericksburg Council eyed hospital site deal, zoning changes; Planning Commission set for key Dixon Street vote

Fredericksburg's City Council held a busy stretch of meetings in late June, taking up a proposed economic development agreement for the former Mary Washington Hospital site, zoning code amendments, and budget items tied to the city's 300th anniversary. However, minutes for all late-June meetings have not yet been published, so outcomes of votes and discussions cannot be confirmed from the available record.

Former Mary Washington Hospital redevelopment agreement

Council's June 23 agenda included a vote on an economic development agreement with 2300 Fall Hill Partners, LLC for redevelopment of the former Mary Washington Hospital site. The same meeting was set to include FY 2026 budget amendments for School Grants and School Capital Funds, as well as budget amendments for the Fredericksburg 300th Anniversary celebration in FY 2026 and FY 2027. Appointments to the Economic Development Authority, Rappahannock Regional Library Board, and Board of Social Services were also on the agenda. Whether these items passed or how members voted is not yet available in published minutes.

Zoning code, street closures, and Renwick PPEA

A separate June 23 Council agenda listed discussion items: special event street closures, a draft RFP for the Renwick PPEA, and text amendments to the Two-Over-Twos/Form-Based Code. A report from the 300th Steering Committee was also scheduled. No action outcomes are confirmed.

Mobile stage ribbon cutting at Riverfront Park

Council members, the Recreation Commission, and the Economic Development Authority were scheduled to attend a ribbon cutting for a new mobile stage at Riverfront Park, 707 Sophia Street. This was a ceremonial event, not a business meeting.

Council planning retreat

Council gathered for a two-day biannual planning off-site retreat on June 25–26. The agenda contained only logistical details, with no specific action items or public hearings scheduled.

Coming up

Electoral Board — Tuesday, July 7. The board will establish canvass dates and times for the August 4, 2026 Republican Primary and approve election officers for that primary. The agenda also includes approval of minutes from the June 2, 2026 meeting, public comment, and a general registrar report.

Planning Commission — Wednesday, July 8. The commission will hold a public hearing and consider a Comprehensive Plan Amendment to adopt a Small Area Plan for Planning Area 8 (Dixon Street/Mayfield). It will also consider a Zoning Map Amendment to rezone 44 parcels — approximately 33.14 acres — to the Creative Maker District with form-based regulations. The parcels are currently zoned Residential-4, Light Industrial, and Commercial Highway. Citizens may speak at the public hearing with a 5-minute limit.

The July 8 Planning Commission meeting is the most consequential upcoming item for residents: it could reshape zoning for a 33-acre area along Dixon Street and in Mayfield, affecting what can be built there.

Hospital Site Agreement, Planning Rezoning Highlight Fredericksburg City Meetings

The Fredericksburg City Council’s June 23 agenda featured a vote on an economic development agreement that could lead to redevelopment of the former Mary Washington Hospital property. Because official meeting minutes have not yet been released, the City’s final action—if any—remains unconfirmed. The same meeting also listed budget shifts for school funding and the city’s 300th anniversary, along with board appointments.

In the coming week, the Planning Commission will weigh a proposal to rezone 44 parcels in the Dixon Street/Mayfield area to a Creative Maker District with form-based regulations.

Hospital site, anniversary funding, and appointments

The proposal before the council was an economic development agreement with 2300 Fall Hill Partners, LLC for the former Mary Washington Hospital site. No dollar amounts or terms were detailed in the agenda summary. Also on the docket were FY 2026 budget amendments for School Grants and School Capital Funds, and amendments for the Fredericksburg 300th Anniversary celebration covering both FY 2026 and FY 2027. Council members were slated to make appointments to the Economic Development Authority, the Rappahannock Regional Library Board, and the Board of Social Services. The meeting did not include a public hearing on these items, and the agenda listed them as action items.

Zoning, street closures and a mobile stage

A separate portion of the June 23 agenda—or possibly a concurrent work session—included discussion of special event street closures, a draft request for proposals for the Renwick Public-Private Education Act project, and text amendments to the city’s two-over-twos and form-based code regulations. A report from the 300th Steering Committee was also on the list. In a ceremonial event that same day, city leaders joined the Recreation Commission and Economic Development Authority for a ribbon cutting of a new mobile stage at Riverfront Park, 701 Sophia Street. The event included no legislative business.

Biannual retreat

On June 25 and 26, the council gathered for its regular two-day planning off-site retreat. Agendas carried only logistical details; no public hearings or votes were scheduled.

Coming up: Electoral Board and a major rezoning hearing

The Fredericksburg Electoral Board will convene on July 7 to set canvass dates and times for the August 4, 2026 Republican primary. The board will also approve election officers for that primary and review minutes from its June 2 meeting. A report from the general registrar is expected.

The Planning Commission meets July 8 for a public hearing on a two-part land-use change that could reshape a swath of the city near Dixon Street and Mayfield Boulevard. The panel will first consider a Comprehensive Plan Amendment to adopt a Small Area Plan for Planning Area 8. Then it will take up a Zoning Map Amendment to rezone 44 parcels—roughly 33.14 acres—from a mix of Residential-4, Light Industrial, and Commercial Highway districts to the Creative Maker District. The new zoning would apply form-based regulations, which focus on building shape, placement, and design rather than separating uses by lot. Citizens who wish to speak will have a five-minute limit. If approved, the measures would advance to the City Council for final action.