Public Hearings- Planning Commission

The Franklin County Planning Commission reviews applications for Special Use Permits, Zoning Map Amendments, and Comprehensive Plan Conformance. These applications are reviewed by Planning & Community Development staff, advertised, and then heard by the Planning Commission. Below is a brief overview of what happens through the entire process.

Application

  • Pre-Application Meeting. Planning staff meet with potential applicants to review the request, identify specific information that needs to be submitted and discuss procedures and time frames.
  • Applicants must submit their completed application by 4:30 PM on the deadline date listed on the current hearing schedule. Deadlines, along with their corresponding meeting dates can be found on the 2023 Planning Commission Public Hearing Schedule.

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  • Planning & Community Development staff shall post signs on or near the property designating there is a property going before public hearing. After the public hearings are completed, staff shall remove these signs. Please DO NOT remove, move, or replace the signs. If there is an issue with the sign, or if it becomes missing or damaged, please call 540-483-3028. 
  • In accordance with established state and local regulations, public hearings must be legally advertised in a newspaper of general circulation. Franklin County Planning & Community Development advertises public hearings in the Franklin News Post on Wednesdays.
  • Applicants are responsible for the cost of the legal ad, and will be invoiced by Planning & Community Development staff.
  • Planning staff also mails out letters to adjoining property owners of the property listed on the application.
  • The public may view submitted applications under the Planning Commission webpage.

Pre-Hearing

  • Planning & Community Development staff review the application and proposed property. Staff then writes a report detailing the background of the request, analysis, conformity with the comprehensive plan. At the end of the report, staff makes a recommendation to the Planning Commission. The recommendation is NOT a ruling or decision. 
  • The Planning Commission clerk puts all application materials, reports, supporting documents, and citizen comments into one document. The document is distributed to the Planning Commission for review. This packet is available to the public under the Planning Commission's agenda webpage.
  • Planning Commission members visit each site proposed in the applications they received.

Public Hearing

  • Public hearings begin at 6:00 PM on the date listed on the 2023 Planning Commission Public Hearing Schedule, and take place in the Board of Supervisors meeting room, unless otherwise noted. 
  • The Chair of the Planning Commission will introduce the item on the agenda in the order listed.
  • Planning & Community Development staff will present their report to the Planning Commission, and answer any questions.
  • The applicant or authorized party will address the Planning Commission, and answer any questions.
  • The Chair of the Planning Commission will then open the floor to any citizen who wished to comment on the current application. Please be aware that your time may be limited to three (3) minutes. 
  • The Chair of the Planning Commission may or may not ask the applicant if they would like to address any concerns/questions brought up by the public.
  • The Planning Commission will then enter deliberation. During this period motions may be made to approve, deny or table the application. A roll call vote will follow each motion. 
  • Once the Planning Commission has recommended either to approve or deny the application, the case will then be heard by the Board of Supervisors for a final ruling. This usually occurs the following month.
  • The Chair will then introduce the next item on the agenda.

After Public Hearings

  • After each all items on the agenda have been completed, there will be a time for the public to address the Planning Commission.
  • The public may address the Planning Commission on any planning or zoning related topic not addressed previously.
  • Please keep in mind, your comments may be limited to three (3) minutes.

If you have any questions, or wish to submit comments regarding an application set to be heard, please contact the Planning Commission Clerk, Megan Fenner, by email: megan.fenner@franklincountyva.gov of by phone at 540-483-3028.