Rezoning Request: Shenandoah County

UPDATE 10/22/2022: On Tuesday, October 25th, the Shenandoah County Board of Supervisors will take up the recommendation by the Planning Commission to rezone 98+ acres of agricultural land to a not-yet-declared M-1 industrial use. With no public water source, the applicant has cited interest in tapping the Town of Strasburg as a source for water… and hence, the North Fork of the Shenandoah.

We have raised our concern that the state of the river, affected by everything from weather and climate, to all of our growing domestic, commercial, and agricultural demands, might already be showing signs of strain under all of those combined effects. The frequency and familiarity of water usage restrictions (even in wet years), of harmful and nuisance algal blooms, of unyielding signs of strained fish populations, and losses of recreation all suggest that we need to learn more about the state of the river before committing to newly expanded uses of the river’s supplies.

The communities of Shenandoah County have a great deal of access to influencing policy, especially now. We have attentive local politicians, and an administration that is taking the value of the river seriously as it develops a Master Plan for the North Fork to help guide sound long-term planning and decision making. You can make your voice heard on the Oranda rezoning matter by calling or writing to your District Supervisor (find them here). And you can find out more on how you can influence the Master Plan for the North Fork here.

Help make sure that as a community, directly and through our elected officials, we make sound decisions for the North Fork of the Shenandoah, and for our lives here in the Valley. See Tuesday night’s Board Agenda here, including the rezoning application.

UPDATE 10/7/2022: The Shenandoah County Planning Commission voted to recommend the Oranda rezoning in a joint public hearing on Thursday, October 6, 2022. With this recommendation in hand, the final decision is set to be voted on by the County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, October 25. While no more public comment sessions are scheduled on this matter, you can still make your voice heard to your District Supervisor before this vote.

The Shenandoah County Board of Supervisors are considering a developer’s request to rezone 98 acres, just outside of Strasburg, out of Agricultural zoning into M-1 Industrial zoning. According to the developer, a source of public water is necessary to successfully market the property to an industrial user, and Strasburg has been asked to provide this water, taking it directly out of the North Fork. This rezoning would also pave the way for installation of up to 1.5 million square feet of impervious surfaces in the form of rooftops and paved surfaces. Stormwater generation will be a challenge, and proximity to Cedar Creek and the North Fork is a concern. Click here to read more about this proposal and concerns voiced by Oranda residents at a September 20 public meeting.

A similar request for rezoning this parcel was denied in 2013, citing community concerns about industrial development affecting the area’s rural character, and going against Shenandoah County’s Comprehensive Plan for preservation of agricultural lands and rural character.

IMPORTANT DATES

Thursday, October 6, 7:00pm: Public Hearing

Shenandoah County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors Meeting: Board Room, Shenandoah County Government Center: 600 North Main Street, Woodstock, Virginia 22664

In this joint public hearing with, the Planning Commission voted to recommend the Oranda Road Rezoning to the Board of Supervisors. Click here to read the full meeting agenda and zoning map amendment.

NEXT STEPS

The County Board of Supervisors will make the final decision at this upcoming meeting. No public comments will be heard at upcoming meetings.

Tuesday, October 25, 7:00pm

Shenandoah County Board of Supervisors Meeting

The Board of Supervisors are scheduled to vote on whether to rezone this parcel for industrial development at this meeting.

Your District Supervisors are elected officials tasked with making decisions about county policies, ordinances, land use, taxes, and budget that reflect the priorities of the community. Make sure that your District Supervisor knows where you stand on rezoning this parcel by contacting them prior to their final vote. Click here to contact your District Supervisor.