COMPREHENSIVE PLAN KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, VIRGINIA Adopted by the BOARD OF SUPERVISORS February 13,2006 Prepared by the KING AND QUEEN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION Technical Assistance PMA Consulting Services BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Keith Haden, Chairman Shanghai District Doris Morris, Vice-Chairman Stevensville District Sherrin Alsop Newtown District J. Lawrence Simpkins St. Stephens Church District H. Lee Busick Buena Vista District COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR Ron Hachey PLANNING COMMISSION Robert T. Ryland, Chairman Kempton Shields, Vice-Chirman Robert Alsop David Campbell Helen Carlton Donna Graham Richard Greene R. P. Hart, Jr. Larkin Hill Margie Longest PLANNING AND ZONING ADMINISTRATOR Holly Lewis PMA Consulting Services Community Planning Consultants Project Director: A. Jack Stodghill, AICP Preparation of Plan began with former Zoning Administrator, Paul Koll. TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION SECTION PAGE NO. 1.1 Purpose of the Comprehensive Plan 1 1.2 General Description of the County 1 1.3 Comprehensive Plan Update Process 1 CHAPTER 2 SUMMARY OF POLICIES 2.1 Rural Atmosphere 2 2.2 Tax Base Balance 2 2.3 Housing Diversity 2 2.4 Quality and Adequacy of Services 2 2.5 Water Quality 2 2.6 Ecological Resources 3 2.7 Historical Resources 3 CHAPTER 3 LAND USE PLAN 3.1 General 3 3.2 Agricultural, Livestock, and Forestal Activities 3 3.3 Commercial and Industrial Development 3 a. Route 33 Economic Development Corridor 4 b. Route 360 Economic Development Corridor 4 3.4 Residential Development 4 a. Non-subdivision Residential 5 b. Minor Subdivision 5 c. Major Subdivision 5 d. Family Subdivision 5 e. Cluster and Planned Unit Development 6 3.5 Rural Village Center 6 a. Newtown 6 b. Walkerton 6 c. King and Queen Courthouse 6 d. Little Plymouth 7 e. Cologne 7 3.6 Commercial Corridor Centers 7 a. St. Stephens Church 7 b. Mattaponi/Airport Road 7 c. Shacklefords/Shacklefords Fork 7 3.7 Special Overlay Zones 8 a. Airport Safety District 8 b. Utility Districts 8 c. Flood Plain Districts 8 d. Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area District 8 e. Dragon Run Conservation District 8 f. The Dragon Run Watershed Management Plan 8 CHAPTER 4 COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC SERVICES PLAN SECTION PAGE NO. 4.1 Government Administration 8 4.2 Public Safety 8 4.3 Schools 9 4.4 Parks and Recreation 9 4.5 Telecommunications 9 4.6 Public Water and Sewer Utilities 10 4.7 Solid Waste Disposal 10 CHAPTER 5 TRANSPORTATION PLAN 5.1 Roads 10 a. Primary Roads 10 b. Secondary Roads 10 5.2 Airport 10 5.3 Rail 10 5.4 Water 11 CHAPTER 6 IMPLEMENTATION INSTRUMENTS AND STRATEGIES 6.1 Land Use Regulations 11 6.2 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) 11 6.3 Availability and Visibility 11 APPENDICES Appendix A: Analysis of Physical Conditions Affecting Development Appendix B: Demography, Housing, and Economy Information Appendix C: Dragon Run Watershed Management Plan Appendix D: Maps Map 1: Land Use — Existing Development (3.1, Al) Map 2: Land Use — Rural Villages, Commercial Corridor Centers, and Economic Development Corridors (3.1, 3.3, 3.5, 3.6) Map 3: Historic Resources — Location of Historic Landmarks (2.7) Map 4: Facilities — Courthouse Complex (4.1) Map 5: Facilities — Fire and Rescue Station Locations (4.2) Map 6: Facilities — School Locations (4.3) Map 7: Facilities — Recreation and Cultural Areas (4.4) Map 8: Facilities — Access to Public Waters (4.4) Map 9: Facilities — Solid Waste Disposal Locations (4.9) Map 10: Transportation — Road System with Traffic Counts (5.1) Map 11: Physiographical/Ecological — Steep Topography (A2) Map 12: Physiographical/Ecological — Chesapeake Bay Protection Areas (A3) Map 13: Physiographical/Ecological — National Wetlands Inventory (AS) Map 14: Physiographical/Ecological — Flood Plain Areas (A6) Map 15: Physiographical/Ecological — Major Watersheds (A8) Map 16: Physiographical/Ecological — Highly Erodible Soils (A2, A9) KING AND QUEEN COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Purpose of the Comprehensive Plan: The purpose of the Comprehensive Plan is to provide a general guide for the future development of land, services, and facilities in the County. It is not a detailed plan for the development of individual parcels of land. It is to be used as a basis for development of regulatory land use ordinances, and as a guide for public decisions on specific proposals, private investment decisions, and for the development and location of needed public facilities. This plan is designed to maintain the quality of life in the County while allowing a reasonable amount of well-managed growth. It is designed to be a fair and equitable balance between individual property rights and the public good. 1.2 General Description of the County: King and Queen County is recognized for its natural beauty and rural atmosphere. It was formed in 1691 from New Kent County and originally included what is now King William and much of Caroline. The County is close to 70 miles long and averages about 10 miles wide. Approximately three fourths of the land area is covered by forests. The population is relatively small, less than 7,000 in the 2000 census, and continues to grow very slowly. (The population is actually less now than in the first census in 1790.) There are no towns or significant concentrations of people. The rapid growth of adjacent counties has not yet reached King and Queen, but is approaching. The two main traffic arteries, routes 360 and 33, are across the short axis of the County. There is relatively little through traffic along the long axis on routes 14/72 1, which have recently been designated a scenic by-way. Except through County government, schools, and a few County wide civic organizations, there is relatively little contact between citizens at the two ends of the County, which makes it sometimes difficult to create a County wide cohesive community. Current commercial and industrial activity is growing slowly, but is still relatively small. Most shopping is done in the towns of adjacent counties, and about 75% of County residents who are employed commute to jobs outside the County. In spite of the modest tax base, County finances have been well managed in recent years and taxes have been maintained at a low level. 1.3 Comprehensive Plan Update Process: This plan is an update of the plan adopted in 1994, which was reviewed and readopted without change in 2001. This updated plan was prepared by the King and Queen County Planning Commission and Planning Staff, with the technical assistance of Mr. Jack Stodghill of PMA, Inc. The general objective was to make the plan concise, complete, and user friendly for citizens, potential developers, and County employees. Policies and planning guidance have been put up front, with demographic data, maps, and other background information contained in appendices. Substantial citizen input was obtained through a comprehensive survey sent to all resident holders of drivers’ permits and through seven volunteer citizen committees involving about 100 volunteers. The seven citizen committees were Land Use, Economic Development, Recreation and Parks, Education, Transportation, Community and Government Services, and Housing. This updated plan draws concepts and policies from the plan being updated, from the citizen surveys and committees, and from individual commission and staff members. Survey returns and citizen committee reports have been particularly useful in getting a feel for where King and Queen residents want to see the county go in the next five to fifteen years. 1 Chapter 2. SUMMARY OF POLICIES 2.1 Rural Atmosphere: It is the general policy of the County to maintain and preserve the rural atmosphere and scenic beauty of the County while allowing moderate and carefully managed growth. The preservation of existing agricultural and forest lands by protecting them from excessive fragmentation, development, and incompatible uses is essential, as is innovative and attractive design and thoughtful placement of both residential and commercial development. Cluster housing, village development, open space requirements, attractive landscaping, vegetative buffers, conservation easements, and effective outdoor lighting and sign policy are among the tools and concepts which can make this possible. Preservation of the rural atmosphere and beauty was a major theme of both the citizen survey responses and the citizen committee reports. 2.2 Tax Base Balance: It is the policy of the County to work toward a balance between residential development and commercial/industrial development. Historically, most residential development does not produce tax revenue commensurate with the cost of required services and must be balanced by commercial/industrial development, which is usually revenue positive. This will require a special effort to provide a business friendly environment and to actively seek and encourage commercial and industrial investment and development in order to help balance the County tax base and provide employment opportunities and services for County residents. Significant effort by current or additional County staff will be required to plan for and focus on this economic development task. 2.3 Housing Diversity: It is the policy of the County to encourage development and availability of housing in a variety of styles and price ranges. Although upscale development is usually the most advantageous from the point of view of the tax base, mid range and affordable” housing are also needed to encourage home ownership by those with a more modest income. Inclusion of apartments and other rental housing in the mix is desirable, especially to encourage newly recruited teachers and other young workers to live in the County and become a part of the community. The County should develop policies, including possible adjustment of cash proffers, which will encourage development of affordable housing. Development of assisted living housing for the elderly is encouraged, but should preferably be located in areas closest to medical services. 2.4 Quality and Adequacy of Services: It is the policy of the County to provide adequate public services of the best quality that available revenue will support, especially with regard to public safety and educational opportunities.