Nelson County adopts ‘Nelson 2042’ comprehensive plan with targeted amendments

The Nelson County Board of Supervisors on April 9 adopted Nelson 2042, a multi‑year update to the county’s comprehensive plan that will guide land‑use, transportation and development policy through 2042.

The plan passed by a 5–0 roll‑call vote after the board and staff agreed to a set of amendments recommended by the Planning Commission and public commenters. The board approved language changes to remove Montebello from the rural‑destination land‑use category, add a definition of “by‑right” uses, clarify glossary entries and add viewshed as a review factor for small‑scale multi‑family proposals. The board also approved adding three Route 151 projects identified in the recently released corridor study to the list of SmartScale priority projects.

Ms. Bishop of the Berkley Group, the plan consultant, told the board the update reflected two years of public outreach — including a community survey that drew more than 900 responses — stakeholder meetings and Planning Commission review. The recommended amendments addressed both policy direction (discouraging large‑scale development in Montebello) and editorial clarifications (glossary definitions and asset lists).

Supervisor Jesse N. Rutherford moved to adopt Resolution R2024‑31 with the authorized amendments; Ernie Q. Reed seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. The resolution authorizes staff to make non‑substantive edits (punctuation, cross‑references and clerical corrections) and to incorporate the specific authorized amendments into the final document.

Board members and staff said the adoption will allow follow‑on work to align zoning and subdivision ordinances with the plan. Ms. Bishop and staff will prepare a diagnostics report on ordinance changes for future Planning Commission and board consideration. The adoption replaces the county’s 2002 plan and is intended to provide clearer guidance for decisions about village‑scale development, transportation priorities and conservation.

Next steps include final production of the plan with the approved amendments and circulation of a zoning/subdivision diagnostic for the board’s consideration.