Show All Answers

1. 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 Board of Supervisors. The PC must always abide by and comply with the powers granted to it by the Zoning Ordinance and the State-enabling act.

2. Who are the members of the Planning Commission?

The Planning Commission consists of Caroline County residents (presently 5) appointed by the Board of Supervisors (BOS). Each member is also a resident of the election district of the Board member who appoints him. At least 0.5 of the members appointed shall be owners of real property.

The Planning Commission is empowered by Section 15.2-2160 - 2307 of the State Code of Virginia to:
- Appoint subcommittees and/or advisory committees
- Approve subdivision plats
- Authorize the development of studies and surveys for the preparation of a comprehensive plan
- Exercise general supervision of, and make regulations for, the administration of its affairs
- Review the adopted comprehensive plan every 5 years
- Review and recommend adoption of subdivision, zoning, Chesapeake Bay and other land development regulations and policies
- Review and submit an annual capital improvement plan to the BOS

3. What is a family subdivision?

A family subdivision is a division of land where both the granter 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 4 ways. First, after the land is transferred to the immediate family member it cannot be transferred to a non-immediate family member for 5 years. Secondly, the parcel transferred to a family member has to be a minimum of 2 acres (not 10 acres as required as a minor subdivision in the RP zoning district). Additionally, the newly created parcel has to be served by a 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.

4. What is a minor subdivision?

A minor subdivision is a division of land where only 2 lots are created; 1 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 2 or more lots are being combined, it is considered a lot line vacation.

5. What is a major subdivision?

A major subdivision is a division of land where 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.

6. 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 1st Wednesday of each month to discuss and review site plans and subdivision plats, while the Planning Commission meetings are generally held on the 3rd 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.