Orange County
PEC's Orange County office supports our land use and land conservation activities in the County. PEC is dedicated to promoting healthy communities and the preservation of Orange's rural character, environment and historic resources.
What's Happening In and Around Orange
Orange County Unveils Sprawling Vision
Last month, the Planning Commission released a draft plan for the future of Orange County that takes a startling turn from the plan previously approved by residents of Orange. It includes a map that lays out what the county would look like in 2035 -- including major development along Route 20 and increased residential and commercial development on agriculturally zoned land, among other things.
Making matters worse, they scheduled the public information session (where people are supposed to learn about the proposal) on the same night as the public hearing (where people are supposed to weigh in on the proposal). Read two of our recent email alerts to get more information and see what happened at the Planning Commision Hearing on May 2nd:
May 2nd - Planning Commission Hearing Update
Conservation Course on May 8 -- Estate Planning for Rural Landowners
Explore how conservation measures facilitate transferring land to the next generation
Are you concerned about the future of your working farm or forest? About the rural community where you live? Careful planning can help ensure that what you value about your land will be passed on to the next generation. Please join us for dinner and explore how you can ensure that your vision for your land is upheld over the long term.
Buy Fresh Buy Local
The Piedmont Environmental Council's Buy Fresh Buy Local campaign helps consumers find local products while building relationships between growers, food artisans, farmers’ markets retailers, restaurants, and institutions.
Use our Buy Fresh Buy Local website to find farms, grocers, caterers, restaurants, CSAs, and farmers markets.
Visit our Buy Fresh Buy Local website
Landowners Protected Over 1,400 Acres in Orange in 2012
PEC Press Release -- Jan 15, 2013
Over 1,420 acres in Orange County were protected by conservation easements in 2012 -- adding to a total of over 32,600 acres, or almost 15% of the total land in the County.
The following articles appeared in PEC's Membership Newsletter -- The Piedmont View
Protecting the Piedmont: Conservation Easements Preserve Over 357,000 Acres
Going Native
On the Ground Conservation - Spring 2013
Find Events Near You
There are always a ton of great conservation-themed events happening throughout the Piedmont. Whatever your interests -- local food, nature, history, getting outdoors or learning something new -- there is sure to be an interesting event on the horizon!
Orange -- More Local Issues
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May 03, 2013
Orange County Planning Commission Hearing Summary, May 2nd
Last night, the Orange County Planning Commission voted unanimously to table the Comprehensive Plan in order to address some of the comments they had received from the public. Over thirty people spoke with the vast majority calling for a plan that recognized the agricultural nature and beauty of the County. Concerns raised included, the lack of public input, methodology used to create the future land use map, designation of Route 20 and 15 as Potential Economic Development, an agricultural designation (A-2) geared for residential development, and a vision statement that allows for development to trump agriculture. Read More -
May 01, 2013
Hearing this Thursday: Orange Unveils Sprawling Vision
As I mentioned last month, the Planning Commission has released a draft plan for the future of Orange County that takes a startling turn from the plan previously approved by residents of Orange. It includes a map that lays out what the county would look like in 2035 -- including major development along Route 20 and increased residential and commercial development on agriculturally zoned land, among other things. Making matters worse, they scheduled the public information session (where people are supposed to learn about the proposal) on the same night as the public hearing (where people are supposed to weigh in on the proposal). This text was taken from an email alert we sent out on April 30th, 2013. Read More -
Mar 29, 2013
Orange County Unveils Sprawling Vision
Just last week, the County Planning Commission put out a pretty shocking map. The maps and accompanying lays out what Orange would look like in 2025 -- including major development along Route 20 and increased residential and commercial development in agriculturally zoned land, among other things. This text is from an email alert sent out on March 29th, 2013. Read More -
Feb 14, 2013
Signature Station Rezoning
Taxpayers asked to subsidize developer profits for speculative rezoning - 230 townhomes and 220,000ft2 of commercial retail - In 2006, Signature Series LLC proposed to rezone 75.8 acres from Agricultural (A) to multifamily residential (R-4) and general commercial (C-2), allowing for 230 townhomes and some 240,000 ft2 of commercial retail. The proffers associated with that proposal were $7,000 less than what our proffer policy calls for. Proffers are offered by a developer to a county to offset the costs for infrastructure (schools, fire, police, etc.). Now, some 6-1/2 years after being denied that request, they are proposing roughly the same speculative rezoning request. Only this time, they are asking the citizens to pony up and subsidize their potential profits at even a greater rate. Read More -
Oct 02, 2012
County Discusses Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan Overhaul
The Orange County Circuit Court ruled that the County does not have the authority to enact a subdivision ordinance with time-phased divisions of land. This invalidates the current ordinance and allows for the immediate division of all agricultural lands into 2 acre lots unless the Board takes action immediately to establish protections of the rural area. Please speak at the Oct. 4th public comment period on proposed changes and send your concerns to the Planning Commission and your representative on the Board of Supervisors. Read More -
Sep 13, 2012
A Tactical Training Facility in Orange?
A proposal is before the Planning Commission for a tactical training facility along with new zoning language that will allow such uses in agricultural and industrial zoning districts. The Commission is holding a public hearing on Sept. 20 at 7:15pm to discuss the change to the zoning language. In the name of economic development, this complex amendment is being fast-tracked through the process to pave the path for the Global Dynamics Security application. Fortunately the Global Dynamics Security applicant has asked for an extension to the Oct. 18th Planning Commission meeting. The specific application will not be considered at the Sept. 20th meeting.Update: Residents showed up in droves protesting the zoning text amendment on September 20th. After residents had expressed their concern about the proposed change, the Planning Commission voted to recommend denial. On September 25th the Board of Supervisors voted to deny the zoning amendment. At this time, we believe there will be no further consideration of the Global Security Applicaiton or related changes to the ordinance. Read More -
Feb 10, 2012
Subdivision Ordinance Changes Being Considered
On June 7th the Orange County Planning Commission voted unanimously to retain the time-phased component of the subdivision ordinance until an alternative is in place. We will keep you informed as this issue progresses. Read More
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Elected Officials - Orange
Orange County Office
130 West Main Street
PO Box 266
Orange, VA 22960
PEC Staff
Dan Holmes
Land Use Field Officer
Peter Hujik
Land Conservation Officer
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