By Werner Krebser

By Werner Krebser

In the next few months, the Rappahannock County Planning Commission will hold public hearings to solicit public input before considering amendments to the county comprehensive plan.

In order to give the citizens an idea what this plan means, the following is a short outline of the 1998 Comprehensive Plan and how this document shapes the future of the county. Comprehensive Plan

Rappahannock County has basically three instruments that serve the county as a guide in its land use policy.

1. The Comprehensive Plan

2. The Zoning Ordinance

3. The Subdivision Ordinance

These three instruments serve as a “blueprint” for administration and governance by the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals and County Administrator.

Of the three, the Comprehensive Plan is the most important. It acts as the foundation upon which the zoning and subdivision ordinances are built. Many court decisions have sided with county governing bodies if the Comprehensive Plan’s goals and objectives have been reflected in the zoning and subdivision ordinances.

The document sets forth the characteristics of Rappahannock County in general terms, its aspirations and goals for the future.

The present Comprehensive Plan was adopted by the Board of Supervisors on July 6, 1998. By law the plan has to be updated every five years. The present plan has eight chapters with many maps, tables and graphs, and is available at the county library.

Chapter One

It addresses the effects of the surrounding jurisdictions on our land use policies. Thanks to the farsighted and progressive policies of the past and present Board of Supervisors the county has maintained a consistent tradition which makes Rappahannock so unique.

Chapter Two

Past history, our regional location, the geology and topog