Stafford County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Stafford boards review comprehensive plan, data center, and cemetery ordinance

Several Stafford County boards and commissions met over the past two weeks to review ongoing projects and policies, including the county's comprehensive plan update, a data center application, and a 10-year review of the cemetery ordinance. No final decisions were made at these meetings; minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes are pending.

Planning Commission subcommittee

The Planning Commission's Comprehensive Plan 5-Year Update Sub-Committee met on August 6 to discuss draft revisions to the comprehensive plan. According to the agenda, members reviewed updates made since the July 16 meeting, examined chapters and outstanding comments, and discussed the project timeline. This was a working session focused on the ongoing plan update process.

Architectural Review Board

The Architectural Review Board met on August 3 and received staff updates on HROD (Historic Resources Overlay District) recommendations for Sherwood Forest Farm and Little Falls Farm/Duff Green. The board also discussed proposed updates to the Stafford County Code of Ordinances, a funding request for a County-Wide Cultural Resource Survey, and a staff update on the Potomac Creek Data Center and Cemetery(s).

Historical Commission

The Historical Commission met on August 6 to receive updates on the Potomac Creek Data Center application and the Comprehensive Plan 5-Year Update. The agenda also included a discussion of the 10-year review of the Cemetery Ordinance, a work session on the Bloomington Interpretive Plan, an update on the Slave Dwelling Project, and a status update on a new interpretive sign for Government Island.

Agricultural/PDR Commission

The Agricultural and Land Conservation Committee (also referred to as the Agricultural/PDR Commission) held a working group meeting on July 27 to review the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) ranking criteria and a sample deed of conservation easement template. Members also continued discussions regarding the Comprehensive Plan review.

Coming up

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission will hold its regular meeting on August 17. The agenda includes approval of minutes, public comments, unfinished business, new business, liaison reports, the director's report, and commission member comments. No specific contracts, ordinances, or policy changes are listed.

Stafford County boards weigh school tax referendum, data center zoning, and Comcast franchise talks

Stafford County's Board of Supervisors placed a potential 1% retail sales tax referendum for school construction on its July 7 agenda, headlining a busy two-week stretch of county meetings. Because minutes have not yet been published for any of the recent sessions, the items below reflect what was scheduled for consideration, not confirmed outcomes.

Board of Supervisors — July 7

The Board's agenda included a proposed referendum for a local general retail sales tax of up to 1% to fund school construction or renovations. If advanced, the measure would go before voters.

Also on the agenda:

• A zoning reclassification from A-1 Agricultural to M-2 Heavy Industrial for the Potomac Creek Campus (Tax Map Parcel No. 38-126).
• A Comprehensive Plan amendment on the siting of high-voltage electric transmission lines.
• A contract with BKV Group DC, PLLC for design of a new courthouse building.
• A grant agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation for a Safe Streets 4 All grant.

Planning Commission — July 8

The Planning Commission was scheduled to review comprehensive plan compliance and a zoning reclassification from P-TND to B-2 for Fire and Rescue Station #9 on tax map parcel 21-49V.

The agenda also included proposed amendments to Zoning Ordinance Sec. 28-25 and Sec. 28-102 regarding drive-through facilities, and a new TRC submission for a 3.83-acre lumber storage facility south of Sanford Dr.

Several items related to the Accokeek Center — including comprehensive plan amendments and heavy industrial zoning — were listed as deferred.

Telecommunications Commission — July 9

The Telecommunications Commission was set to elect a Chairman and Vice Chairman. Chief Information Officer Andrew Spence was scheduled to lead a discussion on negotiations for the Comcast franchise agreement.

Historical Commission — July 15

The Historical Commission's agenda included a discussion of the Potomac Creek Data Center application, referencing the July 7 Board of Supervisors meeting. The agenda also listed public presentations, a chairman's report, a Cemetery Committee report, and reports by commission members. No specific decisions were indicated.

Planning Commission Sub-Committee — July 16

The Comprehensive Plan 5-Year Update Sub-Committee was scheduled to review draft revisions to multiple chapters. Transportation Planning and Funding Manager Matthew Lehane was listed to lead the review of Chapter 4. Other agenda items included future land use recommendations for the Chatham & Berea TDA, a discussion on revitalization in Chapter 3, a review of Chapter 2 policies, and a project timeline discussion.

Economic Development Authority — July 17

The EDA agenda included a bond fee comparison chart and a draft bond application, a PB Mares engagement letter for an audit, and a marketing & events contract. The board was also scheduled to elect officers for Chairman, Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary. A closed session was listed to consider matters under Virginia Code § 2.2-3711 A5 and A6.

Coming up

• **Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission — July 20:** The agenda consists of procedural boilerplate with no specific projects, contracts, or policy decisions listed.

All recent meeting agendas are available through Stafford County's official meeting portal. Minutes for the sessions listed above had not been published as of this report.