King William supervisors approve ordinance to restore prior front-setback rules

The King William County Board of Supervisors voted to approve Ordinance 15-25, reverting front-setback requirements to the countys earlier standard and directing staff to use VDOT road classifications (principal arterial, minor arterial, collector, local and unclassified) when determining setbacks.

Staff told the board the change will avoid measuring setbacks from inconsistent physical roadway edges and that a forthcoming comprehensive-plan update will incorporate a major thoroughfare plan to establish "ultimate" right-of-way widths so future setbacks are measured consistently. At Tuesdays meeting, staff said the prior change had not accounted for ultimate right-of-way widths and could have placed buildings inside a future right-of-way.

Board members asked for clarification whether setbacks apply from the property line or the physical edge of pavement; staff explained the right-of-way edge generally marks where a property begins but acknowledged variability on some roads. With no members of the public signed up to speak, a supervisor moved to approve the ordinance, another seconded, and the board approved the measure by roll call.

The ordinance takes effect as recorded in county procedures; staff said the comprehensive-plan update next year will include more-detailed mapping and ultimate right-of-way widths to guide future setbacks.