Planning

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Present: Commissioners Linda Russell, Mike Tapager, Mike Harmon, Supervisor Connie Brennan, Emily Hunt and Chair Philippa Proulx

Staff Present:  Planning Director Fred Boger and Secretary Wanda Staton

The work session began at 7:00 P. M. in the Board of Supervisors meeting room, County Courthouse, Lovingston.

Nelson County Green Infrastructure Assessment:

(http:\\www.gicinc.org/projectnelson.htm)

Karen Firehock, director of Green Infrastructure Center and Alisa Hefner of Skeo Solutions presented “Green Assets in Nelson”. The Nelson County Green Infrastructure Assessment is a collaborative partnership between Nelson County, the Green Infrastructure Center and the University of Virginia. All labor and funds for the project have been donated to the county. The project is funded by the Virginia Department of Forestry, the Chesapeake Bay Program and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Healthy Watershed’s Initiative and volunteer work by graduate students from UVa.

During Part One, conducted in fall 2010, graduate students completed a green infrastructure assessment for the county’s forests and wildlife habitats, agricultural soils, tourism, nature based recreation and water resources. The students obtained related GIS data and developed a green infrastructure base map and several thematic overlays. They also developed policy ideas for the county’s consideration.  To solicit community input, the students interviewed community members and held a public meeting on November 17, 2010. Students also held meetings with county staff to solicit their input and review.

During Part Two in 2011, the project conducted more analysis of the county’s healthy watershed and considered how these resources can be conserved into the future. The presentation to the Planning Commission tonight continued the review of the collected data. The Commission offered several comments and asked for clarification of many terms but generally gave enthusiastic support to the project. The team will summarize the project highlights and findings into a condensed and attractive, graphic-oriented 12 page final reports. All maps and digital analysis will be provided to the county for their use in daily planning applications to be presented to the Board of Supervisors.

Comprehensive Plan Work Session

The Commissioners continued their review on the transportation section of the Comp Plan. Mr. Boger suggested that the entire draft be returned to the TJPDC to be edited and rewritten for clarity and conciseness. Commissioners asked staff to submit the edits that had been made so far to the TJPDC as examples of the Commission’s focus.

Other Business

Commissioner Russell stated that in at a prior meeting it was discussed whether or not if the Planning Commission could ask to see a copy of the covenants in a new Subdivision to make sure that the residents are protected.  Mr. Boger stated that he didn’t think that the Planning Commission had the authority to make changes to the covenants. He stated that the only issue that the PC could look at is to make sure there is a road maintenance agreement. Mr. Boger stated that the plat and covenants are recorded at the same time. He stated that the county doesn’t want to get involved in enforcing covenants.

Adjournment

Commissioner Hunt provided the motion to adjourn, Commissioner Tapager provided the second and meeting adjourned at 8:35 P. M.

Respectfully submitted,

Wanda L. Staton

Planning Secretary