Commission forwards ordinance amendment to default newly added land as agricultural

The Prince George County Planning Commission voted July 23 to forward ordinance amendment OA26-0001 to the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation for approval. The amendment would revise section 90-1034 to automatically classify land newly added to the county’s zoning jurisdiction — by annexation, boundary-line adjustment, former federal/state property or otherwise — as A-1, general agricultural, until the official zoning map is amended.

Staff explained the amendment addresses situations where land becomes subject to county zoning jurisdiction and clarified that lots that do not meet minimum lot-size or frontage standards would simply be nonconforming under existing county code. The commission heard a single public comment from Alana Ann Gevrilis, who supported the change as a tool to preserve the county’s agricultural fabric.

A motion to forward OA26-0001 to the Board with a recommendation for approval passed by roll call. Staff said the amendment is designed to provide a clear default zoning classification when jurisdictional changes occur.