Bath County, Virginia COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2014 – 2019 Adopted December 9, 2014 Bath County, Virginia COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 2014-2019 Adopted December 9, 2014 Board of Supervisors Planning Commission Bruce McWilliams, Chair Williamsville District John Cowden Henry “Kevin” Fry, Vice-Chair Valley Springs District Jason Miller Claire A. Collins Cedar Creek District Trudy Woodzell Phillip “Bart” Perdue Warm Springs District John B. Loeffler Clifford A. Gilchrest Millboro District Michael Grist, Chair County Administrator Ashton N. Harrison County Planner Sherry Ryder Bath County Comprehensive Plan TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF MAPS .................................................................................................................. ii LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................. iii CHAPTER 1: Introduction .............................................................................................. 1-1 Vision and Values ............................................................................................................ 1-4 Visioning Workshops ....................................................................................................... 1-9 History ............................................................................................................................ 1-13 Perspectives on Agriculture .......................................................................................... 1-18 CHAPTER 2: Demographics ........................................................................................... 2-1 CHAPTER 3: Housing .................................................................................................... 3-1 CHAPTER 4: Economy ................................................................................................... 4-1 CHAPTER 5: Government & Finance ............................................................................. 5-1 CHAPTER 6: Natural Environment ................................................................................ 6-1 CHAPTER 7: Transportation .......................................................................................... 7-1 CHAPTER 8: Public Utilities ........................................................................................... 8-1 CHAPTER 9: Education .................................................................................................. 9-1 CHAPTER 10: Community Facilities & Services ............................................................ 10-1 CHAPTER 11: Land Use ............................................................................................... 11-1 APPENDICES Appendix A: Project List: 2011 Rural Long Range Transportation Plan ......................... A-1 Appendix B: Implementation of Smart Growth Principles ............................................. B-1 ii Bath County Comprehensive Plan LIST OF MAPS CHAPTER 1: Introduction Map 1.1 – Historic Landmarks ...................................................................................... 1-17 CHAPTER 2: Demographics Map 2.1 – 2010 Census Block Population Density ........................................................... 2-4 Map 2.2 – Magisterial Districts ....................................................................................... 2-5 CHAPTER 6: Natural Environment Map 6.1 – Elevation ........................................................................................................ 6-3 Map 6.2 – Generalized Slope Classification .................................................................... 6-4 Map 6.3 – Generalized Geologic Formation ................................................................... 6-5 Map 6.4 – Generalized Soil Association ........................................................................... 6-6 Map 6.5 – Caves & Sinkholes .......................................................................................... 6-7 Map 6.6 – Hydrologic Watersheds (HUC 10) .................................................................. 6-8 Map 6.7 – 100 Year Floodplain ....................................................................................... 6-9 CHAPTER 7: Transportation Map 7.1 – Existing Road Network .................................................................................... 7-3 Map 7.2 – 2009 VDOT Level of Service and Average Annual Daily Traffic Counts .......... 7-5 Map 7.3 – 2035 VDOT Level of Service and Average Annual Daily Traffic Counts ........ 7-14 Map 7.4 – Priority Transportation Projects .................................................................. 7-20 CHAPTER 8: Public Utilities Map 8.1 – Water System ................................................................................................. 8-2 Map 8.2 – Major Springs and Wells ................................................................................ 8-3 Map 8.3 – Sewer System .................................................................................................. 8-5 Map 8.4 – Electricity Providers ....................................................................................... 8-8 CHAPTER 10: Community Facilities & Services Map 10.1 – Fire and Rescue Coverage .......................................................................... 10-4 CHAPTER 11: Land Use Map 11.1 – Land Use Constraints ................................................................................. 11-6 Map 11.2 – Septic Tank Suitability ................................................................................ 11-7 Map 11.3 – Agricultural Suitability ............................................................................... 11-8 Map 11.4 – Potential Growth Areas ........................................................................... 11-10 Map 11.5 – Conservation & Easements ...................................................................... 11-17 iii Bath County Comprehensive Plan LIST OF FIGURES CHAPTER 2: Demographics Figure 2.1 – Population Change 1900-2010 & 2020-2040 .............................................. 2-1 Figure 2.2 – Population Change 1990-2010 Historical & 2020-2040 Projections .......... 2-2 Figure 2.3 –Population Density – Neighboring Counties ................................................ 2-3 Figure 2.4 – Age and Gender Distribution ...................................................................... 2-6 Figure 2.5 – Income Below Poverty Level ....................................................................... 2-8 Figure 2.6 – All Person Below Poverty Level ................................................................... 2-8 Figure 2.7 – Median Household Income ......................................................................... 2-8 CHAPTER 7: Transportation Figure 7.1 – Bath County Population, 2012 v. 2040 ....................................................... 7-8 Figure 7.2 – Bath County Road Network ...................................................................... 7-11 Figure 7.3 – VDOT FY 2015-2020 Six Year Improvement Program Projects ................. 7-21 CHAPTER 9: Education Figure 9.1 – Student Enrollment, 2012 -2013 School Year ............................................. 9-3 iv Bath County Comprehensive Plan Introduction CHAPTER 1 Introduction Legal Status and Purpose of the Plan The General Assembly has determined that every municipality in the Commonwealth shall prepare a comprehensive plan and review it every five years. The requirements for and the procedure by which a Virginia municipality shall prepare such a plan are contained in Title 15.2 of the Code of Virginia: The comprehensive plan shall be made with the purpose of guiding and accomplishing a coordinated, adjusted and harmonious development of the territory which will, in accordance with the present and probable future needs and resources best promote the health, safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity and general welfare of the inhabitants. The Code relates that the plan should be general in nature, and serve both as a guide to development as well as a survey of the locality’s various assets and challenges. It should forecast and prepare the community for future changes, such as changes in population size, employment base, environmental quality, and the demand for public services and utilities. It should also identify local citizens’ concerns, needs, and aspirations and use them to establish clear goals for the future. In addition, the plan should outline strategies or recommendations that can be used to accomplish such goals. Official Capacity of the Plan This 2014 Bath County Comprehensive Plan is an update to the County’s existing comprehensive plan, which was adopted in 2007. Upon adoption by the Board of Supervisors, this new Plan replaces and supersedes the 2007 document. The Plan is not a law or ordinance. It is a guide for decision making and establishes policy guidelines for when, where, and how to provide public utilities, change zoning designations, and facilitate, coordinate, and regulate development. Establishing the general location and timing of utility extensions is the only policy in the Plan that is implemented upon adoption of the Plan. Other policies are not implemented directly by the Plan, but should be implemented via future changes to the County’s development regulations. Such policies would include changes to the provisions of the subdivision and zoning ordinances, and plans for capital improvements. Page 1-1 Bath County Comprehensive Plan