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What is the Planning Commission?
Who are the members of the Planning Commission?
What is a Family Subdivision?
What is a Minor Subdivision?
What happens after an application is submitted?

What is the Planning Commission?

The Planning Commission (PC) is a body established by State law. The mission of the PC is to promote the orderly development of the County and its environs. The PC serves in an advisory capacity to the B.O.S.. The PC must always abide by and comply with the powers granted to it by the Zoning Ordinance, subdivision ordinance, and by Section 15.2-2160 - 2307 of the State Code of Virginia to:

Exercise general supervision of, and make regulations for, the administration of its affairs.
Authorize the development of studies and surveys for the preparation of a comprehensive plan.
Appoint subcommittees and/or advisory committees.
Review the adopted comprehensive plan every 5 years.
To review and submit an annual capital improvement plan to the BOS.
To review and recommend adoption of subdivision, zoning, Chesapeake Bay and other land development regulations and policies.
To approve subdivision plats.

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Who are the members of the of the Planning Commission?

The Planning Commission consists of Caroline County residents (presently five) appointed by the BOS. Each member is also a resident of the election district of the Board member who appoints him. At least one-half of the members appointed shall be owners of real property. ↑TOP

What is a family subdivision?

A family subdivision is a division of land where both the grantor and grantees are members of the same immediate family. The immediate family includes the following: grandparents, parents, children, siblings, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. Family subdivisions can be created by right in the Rural Preservation (RP) zoning district only. Family subdivisions differ from minor subdivisions in four (4) ways. First, after the land is transferred to the immediate family member it cannot be transferred to a non-immediate family member for five (5) years. Secondly, the parcel transferred to a family member has to be a minimum of two (2) acres (not ten (10)acres as required as a minor subdivision in the RP zoning district). Additionally, the newly created parcel has to be served by a twenty (20) foot wide right-of-way from an existing state road. Finally, the parcel has to be used for their family member’s immediate housing needs. ↑TOP

What is minor subdivision?

A minor subdivision is a division of land where only two (2) lots are created; one new lot, and the remainder of the original parcel. Both parcels have new creation dates because of this division. Each lot must meet the dimensional criteria as specified in the zoning ordinance for the district in which it is located. Boundary Line Adjustments (BLA) and Lot Line Vacations are also considered minor subdivisions. BLAs are the way in which one parcel transfers acreage to or from an adjacent property. When two or more lots are being combined, it is considered a lot line vacation. ↑TOP

What is a major subdivision?

A major subdivision is a division of land where three (3) or more lots are created. This type of development requires the installation of a road constructed to Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) standards and Planning Commission approval. ↑TOP

What happens after an application is submitted?

The staff will review the application to verify its completeness. Once the application is accepted, any deficiencies will be noted and told to the owner, applicant and/or agent. If this is an administratively approved subdivision (minor or family) the Subdivision Agent will conduct a review of the application and plat to ensure all requirements have been met.

If it is a major subdivision it will be placed on the agenda for the appropriate Technical Review Committee (TRC) and Planning Commission meetings based on the submission date. TRC meetings are generally held the first Wednesday of each month to discuss and review site plans and subdivision plats, while the Planning Commission meetings are generally held on the third Wednesday of each month.

The applicant will receive notice of the date, time, and place for the Planning Commission action on the application. The Subdivision Agent will prepare a staff report for the Commission members concerning the request, which will include pertinent code sections and factual statements. The applicant will receive a copy of this report approximately one week prior to the meeting. Members of the Commission may inspect the property prior to the meeting to better appreciate the request. However, the members do not generally meet with the applicant during the inspection or prior to the Commission meeting. ↑TOP