Board repeals lake advisory committee; creates new process for buoy and liquor-related applications

Supervisors voted to repeal the county ordinance that created the Lake Advisory Committee and to adopt a new ordinance establishing how buoy-placement and similar applications will be handled going forward. Under the new procedure described by staff, applications will be submitted to the county’s planning and zoning department. Planning staff will refer applications to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) for study and evaluation; after receiving DWR’s information, the application will return to the board, which can act or refer the matter to the planning commission. Staff said a public hearing before the board would be required before final action on applications. Staff emphasized the ordinance places the full cost burden on applicants: applicants must pay application fees and the cost of installing buoys; if DWR objects to buoy placement and the buoys must be moved, the applicant must pay relocation costs as well. The ordinance also establishes a revocation mechanism that a board member or a citizen group could initiate; revocation would follow essentially the same review process as original applications. Board members moved and approved the ordinance to dissolve the committee and adopt the new process by voice vote. Staff said the change responds to the fact the advisory committee had not met in five years and that the county needs a defined administrative path for these matters going forward.