Culpeper County Planning Commission adopts 2026 schedule and goals; staff to brief on energy-storage zoning and CIP review

The Culpeper County Planning Commission unanimously adopted its 2026 meeting schedule and endorsed draft planning commission goals during an organizational meeting that also included staff briefings on upcoming work sessions and the county budget calendar.

At the start of the meeting, Chair (name not specified) moved to receive the minutes from the Nov. 12, 2025 meeting; the Chair said the minutes had been received and read and would be placed on record. The commission then approved the proposed 2026 meeting schedule — the second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m., with the November meeting planned for Thursday, Nov. 11 because of Veterans Day — after staff presented the schedule. "What's proposed is your current meeting schedule, which is the second Wednesday of the month at 7PM," said Ms. Harris, who staffed the commission.

Ms. Harris also presented the draft 2026 planning commission goals, which she said mirror prior annual reports; the commission moved and approved placing the draft goals into next month's annual report for further review. "If you, are alright with these, we can go ahead and place them in your draft annual report for you to review next month," Ms. Harris said.

Beyond routine organizational business, staff briefed commissioners on a series of upcoming items. Ms. Harris asked members to complete the annual real estate disclosure form and announced that a new county attorney will start in February and may attend the February planning commission meeting to listen and become familiar with the commission’s work. She also outlined a planned work session on an energy-storage zoning text amendment. Staff recommended the commission become familiar with the proposal but defer formal action until after the Virginia General Assembly concludes, to account for any legislative changes that could affect local enabling authority. "What we're probably going to recommend is that you become familiar with it but not take any action on it until after this general assembly concludes," Ms. Harris said.

Commissioners discussed process and transparency improvements. One commissioner urged adding television (or other broadcast) coverage for some work sessions to make them more accessible to the public. "Go ahead and add the the TV to some of our work sessions… for transparency," the commissioner said. The Chair responded that work sessions have been used previously — including during the COVID period at Eastern View High School — and said staff and legal counsel would help clarify appropriate timing and safeguards for such sessions.

Staff also said the Board of Supervisors will hold a March 6 meeting with the county administrator to review budget proposals and that supervisors would like a recommendation from the planning commission on the capital improvement program (CIP). Commissioners discussed whether to review all CIP items in a single evening or to schedule a separate meeting, noting a preference to start special meetings no later than 6:00 p.m. to accommodate members' schedules.

Before adjourning, the Chair praised staff members by name for their contributions to GIS and other duties. The commission then voted to adjourn by voice vote.

Votes at a glance

- Receive minutes from Nov. 12, 2025 — Motion moved and seconded; Chair recorded the minutes for the record and indicated no formal vote was necessary (recorded; no roll call).

- Approve 2026 meeting schedule — Motion moved (Commissioner) and seconded; passed by voice vote ('aye').

- Approve draft planning commission goals for 2026 — Motion moved (Chair) and seconded (Commissioner); passed by voice vote ('aye').

- Adjourn meeting — Motion to adjourn moved (Ms. Harris), seconded; passed by voice vote ('aye').

What happens next

Staff said materials for the energy-storage zoning work session will be provided to commissioners in advance where possible, the county attorney is expected to begin in February and may attend the commission's February meeting, and the Board of Supervisors' March 6 budget meeting will be an occasion for the commission to offer recommendations on the CIP.