The Berkley Group is performing a comprehensive review and update of Essex County’s Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances, focused on creating a single, streamlined ordinance that complies with state-level regulations and the goals and vision of the County’s Comprehensive Plan. The update is focused on balancing desired growth and the preservation of agriculture and the environment. The project began with a diagnostic of the County’s Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance. The diagnostic assessed the content, clarity, purpose, and ease of use for each of these tools; determined compliance with the Code of Virginia and recommended corrective actions. The update will create a modernized and streamlined ordinance that combines Zoning and Subdivision regulations for ease of use by all stakeholders; introduce new regulatory elements, such as landscaping, to ensure high quality development in the County; and ensure all provisions of State Code are met. As a supplement to this project, the Berkley Group performed a utility-scale solar fiscal impact analysis and held two joint work sessions to refine solar facility use standards to meet the community’s needs.

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