Board of Supervisors - workshop

Good afternoon and welcome to our Pittsburgh County Board of Supervisors work session. Today is Tuesday, August 18th, 2026. It is now 3 p.m. Board meeting room 39 Bank Street South East, Chatham, Virginia 24531. Madam Clerk, call the roll, please.

Yes, sir. Mr. Bowman.

Here.

Mr. Brown.

Here.

Mr. Dalton. Here. Mr. Dudley. Mr. Whittle?

Here.

Mr. Ingram? Here. Mr. Tucker?

Here. Thank you. All right. Are there any additions to the agenda? Any items to be added? No items to be added. All right. I will entertain a motion to approve the agenda.

Make that motion, Mr. Chairman. I'll second it.

Thank you, Mr. Whittle. I think he got in there. All right. Any discussion on that motion?

Thank you, Mr. Whittle.

Hearing none, cast your votes electronically, please.

Mr Bowman.

Yes.

Mr Dalton.

Yes.

That's okay.

All right. Thank you. Your motion passes unanimously for the citizens convenience. All work session and committee meetings are now being recorded and can be viewed on the county's facebook and the same youtube location as the board of supervisors business meetings. Please remember that the board's work session is designed for internal board and county staff communication, discussion, and work. It is not a question and answer session with the audience. Accordingly, during the work session, no questions or comments from the audience will be entertained. Respectfully, any outbursts or disorderly conduct from the audience will not be tolerated. It may result in the offending person's removal from the work session. As a reminder, all county citizens and other appropriate parties as designated by the board's bylaws are permitted to make comments under the hearing of the citizens section of tonight's business meeting. All right, that moves us down to agenda item 5A, Fire and Rescue Association update. Mr. Fowler, good afternoon and welcome, sir.

Good afternoon. Just want to give you an update. In the month of July, Fire and Rescue ran 644 EMS calls for service in the county, 304 fire calls in the county. The Fire and Rescue Association has been working diligently on a training program for the county, for the fire and rescue agencies. We met with Division Director of Division VI for the Department of Fire Programs on July the 28th, Mr. Matt Kraft, and we talked to him about the funding that the state would provide to the county for training of fire and rescue members. He gave us some ideas and some way that that's being done across the county, and we're working diligently to put that in place. We also have put a training committee in place to meet with all of the agencies across the county to try to put together training classes and programs that'll be spread all across the county and all of them will have input to be able to request such classes and help us put the instructors together to teach those. So that'll be forthcoming as we move forward and hopefully we'll put a really good program together for the coming year. to get that all across the county. The other thing I wanted to give you a heads up, I know Mr. Tucker you had mentioned it and several other board members, we're gonna do our graduation for the students that have completed classes in the past year. We're working with the school and we're probably gonna do that in the early part of October. So that'll be forthcoming and I'll bring that to you in a timely manner. Anything else?

No, I'm good. Any questions for Mr. Fowler? All right. First off, I want to just thank you, Mr. Fowler, for the hard work you and all of the firefighters do, whether they're paid or whether they are volunteer. And, you know, this is kind of like the initial update. We look forward to getting an update from you on a monthly basis. Thank you for being here. all right um that moves us down to agenda item 6a which is the discussion regarding temporary residential use of recreational vehicles miss smith good evening and welcome hi so last month the board of supervisors requested that staff come with some proposal for expanding

temporary residential use of recreational vehicle. Currently in the zoning ordinance, that is only permitted if a primary dwelling has been damaged or destroyed by events beyond the control of the property owner. And although it is not a common situation, there are times when the reconstruction of a home that is just a general renovation, especially given the age of properties within Pennsylvania County, that it would be necessary for the homeowner to move out in order to have those repairs and renovations completed. So in your packet today, I have some proposed language. What I would be proposing is that we strike the existing 35-87B and replace it with what's proposed. It adds the ability for the primary dwelling that's undergoing renovation or reconstruction to count as a reason for allowing temporary residential use of an RV. And then it further explains that there would have to be an active building permit on the property. The RV would have to be on the same property as the primary dwelling, either in the driveway or in a location that complies with setback requirements. It has to be operable and have a current state inspection and valid registration, unless it's a marked rental unit. It has to have onboard electric plumbing and waste facilities. It would have to connect to permitted electrical water and wastewater systems. And that would include, if it was a septic, they'd have to have the issuance of a safe and adequate and proper septic approval. It does allow for 180 days. for the zoning permit for that use, and it would allow for a one-time extension of up to 180 days at the discretion of the building official and the zoning administrator based on documented good faith efforts. So in other words, if the property owner is getting the work done and they're doing it in a timely manner but they just need a little more time they could ask for that but if 180 days have gone by and they haven't done anything and they're just looking for a way to stay in the rv a little longer that wouldn't work and then it does also clarify that a temporary rv resident or a temporary rv could not be used in this situation for new construction because typically with new construction you're not going to have the septic and the electric and the water available. It also wouldn't allow it if the primary dwelling remains habitable during renovations and then has a section about if there's a violation of this regulation. So I'm happy to answer any questions.

All right. Any questions? Mr. Dudley, I think. Go ahead.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. You know, as we are working on economic development and a lot of jobs coming and construction, is there something that we have in place that would be very similar to this? Because, you know, we've got a lot coming on and housing is one thing that we are lacking right now. Is there something in there that we're adjusting? with this county to help the folks that are coming in to build.

This does not allow for that. And I do think they're two separate issues. I do also agree with you, though, that it is a very important issue. And it is one that we definitely need to be having conversations about because we have not only, hopefully, an influx of people coming to the community because of the jobs that are going to be created, but also the people who are going to be creating those structures and those homes. And so we definitely have a lack there. This is merely to provide alternative housing option for people who are renovating their own homes.

OK. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, ma'am. Mr. Bowman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Ms. White, I like the draft to begin with. It's very good. But it only pertains to just those folks that have a dwelling they're going to either build or they're going in and refurbish or things like that. It doesn't have anything to do with, for instance, the campgrounds.

Correct.

Correct. Right. So this is a standalone just for this particular topic. Correct. And like Mr. Dudley said, you know, with that, that's something that we'll have to discuss in the future. Yes. Correct. I like this. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, sir. Mr. Whitley.

Mr. Mayor, if you said earlier we talked and you said that it will be a cap on one year, no going over that or anything, but you've got one year to get your house renovated if that's what it takes you, right?

Correct, so 180 days initially and then a one-time additional 180 days if it's necessary and documented that there's efforts been made to get the construction done.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else?

Mr. Chair, just Kelly, thank you for that. And I appreciate the phone call the other day, but after the second 180, Could there be a possibility during some kind of extenuating circumstances to maybe grant them a little bit more time, just in case?

So the way this is written, it would not allow for that. But I think as we've discussed, this is an ordinance amendment that I think has been very well thought out. We don't know exactly how that need might be in the future. So it's not to say that we couldn't bring it back to the Board of Supervisors for a further conversation if that does become a more common situation.

I just would feel better if there was some kind of little small provision in there that says, based on extenuating circumstances far beyond the control of the president, that you and or Mr. Arnold and Ms. Shorter could make that call just to help them. Something to think about. Thank you.

Can I add something, Mr. Chairman? Yes, sir.

Going off of what Mr. Ingram is saying, I'm not sure if this was talked about originally, but I really like this. This is great, and this has happened twice recently in my district, one of which is a remodel that's going on, and they've got the perfect hookup for their camper. And I'm an RV owner myself, so I really like this because I may use this myself one day if we remodel it. And another instance was a gentleman had a house fire, but he had a temporary power pole put in, and it could still tap into a septic tank. And he happens to be a Class A contractor, so he's actually rebuilding his own home as he goes through a disaster. But why couldn't this be mitigated through the building permit? I mean, the same way through community development office, but as long as they've got an active permit and they're meeting the guidelines and the deadlines of the active permit, You know, what difference would it make? You know what I'm saying? Because every permit has an expiration date, correct?

It does, but I believe that a permit could technically be for up to three years. So you could have a situation where somebody, is doing their best but isn't, you know, able to complete the work in a timely fashion. And then, you know, zoning is always that balance between property owner rights and helping the property owner and maintaining the public health, safety, and welfare, you know, and do the neighbors want to... No, I get it. We've got to have a set rule and a guideline to go by, but... And there's no reason why the 180 days with one extension can't be a starting point.

That's correct. I agree with you.

Thank you. Mr. Evans, you want to chime in? Like you had something to say there.

If I may, Mr. Chairman, thank you. The crafting of these ordinances has to be taken to the extreme. You have to look at how this would be abused if the language is crafted certain ways. And I think that's what Ms. Smith is implying at her last statement that There is, the board has the ability to change this in the future if the application of it is not, for any reason, one way or the other, we're not seeing the application that's in the best interest of the county as a whole and the county's residents. And so this is something that we can and should be tracking over time. We've seen how it's being applied, whether it's being abused in what ways, and then making, This is a living document. We can then revise as we go to make sure there's protections in place for, you know, neighbors and abutting properties, but also allowing for the land to be used to meet the needs of its citizens. But you have to run it. You almost have to be a little bit pessimistic when you're drafting the ordinances, looking for the holes and looking for how it might be abused.

Okay. Thank you, Mr. Evans. And thank you, Ms. Smith. And I like the fact that it's a live document. And according to Mr. Evans, we certainly want to track it as we apply and use it. And then down the road, If we need to change it, you have some background information to justify why you're changing it. So that's what you're looking for, Ms. Damon. OK. All right. Good enough.

And I will go ahead and advertise this for public hearing at the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors for October.

I think we'll need a motion. for the meeting, for our business meeting, is that right?

I don't think we'll need a motion. They can go ahead and advertise that. Okay. Because the board will take action on the back end to approve it. Okay. Rock and roll. Thank you. Thank you.

I like it.

All right. Am I missing something here? It's our work session today? I'm loving life. Anything else, Mr. Evans, before we move to close?

No, sir. All right. Read us in, please. Yes, sir. Mr. Chairman, there are a number of matters designated for closed session. Well, now the fun begins. Yes, sir. First, consultation of legal counsel employed or retained by a public body regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel. Nothing in the subdivision shall be construed to permit the closure of a meeting merely because an attorney representing the public body is in attendance or is consulted on a matter. Legal authority of Virginia Code section 2.237.11a.8. Subject matter is the jail, courthouse litigation, and the project contract, River Street. And the purpose is consultation with legal counsel and legal advice and discussion regarding the same. Next, we have discussion, consideration, or interviews of prospective candidates for employment assignments. Appointments, promotion, performance, demotion, salaries, disciplining, or resignation of specific public officers, appointees, or employees of any public body, Legal Authority of Virginia Code Section 2.237.11a1, Subject Matters, County Treasurer, and Medic 5. PURPOSE, REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF THE SAME. AND LASTLY, MR. CHAIRMAN, WE HAVE DISCUSSION CONCERNING A PERSPECTIVE BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY OR THE EXPANSION OF AN EXISTING BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY WHERE NO PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN MADE OF THE BUSINESSES OR INDUSTRY'S INTEREST IN LOCATING OR EXPANDING ITS FACILITIES IN THE COMMUNITY. LEGAL AUTHORITY OF VIRGINIA CODE SECTION 2.2 371185, SUBJECT MATTER, UNANNOUNCED, PERSPECTIVE BUSINESSES AND INDUSTRIES AND THE PURPOSE IS GENERAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT UPDATES. Mr. Chairman, it now be appropriate to entertain a motion, second, discussion, and vote regarding said closed session.

Thank you, Mr. Evans. I'll entertain a motion to go into close. I'll make that motion. I think Mr. Whittle pulled the trigger. Mr. Bowman, thank you for the second. Any discussion on the motion? Hearing none, cast your votes electronically, please. Yes.

Thank you, Mr. Brown.

All right. Motion passes unanimously. We will reconvene in closed session.

I'll wait a minute.

just getting ready to look for you mr evans can you read us in please yes sir be it resolved that the pittsburgh county board of supervisors work session held on august the 18th 2026 the board hereby certifies by recorded vote to the best of each board members knowledge the only public business matters lawfully exempted from the open meeting requirements of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and identifying the motion authorizing the closed meeting were heard, discussed, or considered in the closed meeting. If any board member believes there was a departure from the requirements of the act, he shall so state prior to the vote, indicating the substance of the departure. The statement shall be recorded in the board's minutes. We will now have a roll call vote regarding said certification of closed session. Mr. Dalton. Yes. Mr. Dudley. Yes. Mr. Brown. Yes. Mr. Baumann. Yes. Mr. Whittle? Yes. Mr. Ingram? Yes.

Mr. Tucker?

Yes. Thank you, Chairman.

Thank you, sir. Motion is approved. We stand adjourned from our work session. Take a five to seven minute pause. Yes, sir.