The COVID 19 pandemic and social distancing required may have turned our world upside down, but it has not completely stopped. Here at PEC, we are working remotely and continue to try and provide you with connection to your community during these trying times. This includes connecting you to the important decisions being made at the state and local level.
With regard to Fauquier, you may have noticed that although planning commission meetings have been canceled, the Board of Supervisors is continuing to meet regarding the County budget. This is because the budget must be passed to ensure continuity of government (services are provided, employees are paid, etc.) during the crisis.
The Virginia Freedom of Information Act (VFOIA) requires that public meetings be open to the public. Recently a flood of questions from localities led the Virginia Attorney General to opine that the Virginia Code does not allow localities to hold meetings solely by electronic communication. The only exception to that rule is to allow for them to make decisions that, “must be made immediately and where failure to do so could result in irrevocable public harm.”
As a result, we believe most land use decisions will be postponed for the time-being. It is also likely that County and Town committees such as the Transportation, Architecture Review Board (ARB), Parks and Recreation, Airport, etc. will all be cancelled.
Below is information to help you follow and participate in local government decision-making remotely and a list of community resources that may be helpful during this time:
Fauquier County
Board of Supervisors Meetings
March 26, 4pm-6pm
Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Proposed Budget Work Session followed by the Adoption and Appropriation of the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget, Adoption of the Calendar Year 2020 Tax Rates, Adoption of the FY 2021-2025 CIP, and Approval of the Fiscal Year 2022 Plan
- To Live Stream Meeting – https://vimeo.com/event/25618
- To View Archived Meetings – http://fauquier-va.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=1
- To View Budget/Tax Rates/CIP/Fiscal Year Plan – https://www.fauquiercounty.gov/government/departments-h-z/management-and-budget
- To submit comments email [email protected]
April 9, 11 am and 6:30pm
Worksession and Public Hearing Scheduled
https://www.fauquiercounty.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/30355/2290?backlist=%2fgovernment%2fboards-committees%2fboard-of-supervisors
- To Review Meeting Agenda – http://agenda.fauquiercounty.gov/
- To Live Stream Meeting – https://vimeo.com/event/25618
- To View Archived Meetings – http://fauquier-va.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=1
- To submit comments email [email protected]
Planning Commission Meetings
March 19, 2020
Cancelled: Worksession and Public Hearing:
https://www.fauquiercounty.gov/home/showdocument?id=27665
April 16, 2020
Worksession and Public Hearing is scheduled
- To Review Meeting Agenda – http://agenda.fauquiercounty.gov/
- To Live Stream Meeting – https://vimeo.com/event/25618
- To View Archived Meetings – http://fauquier-va.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=1
- To submit comments email Planning Commission Secretary – [email protected]
April 2, 2020 at 2pm
Cancelled: Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting
- To Review Meeting Agenda – See classified section of local newspaper
- These meetings are not recorded
Town of Warrenton
April 9, 2020, 7pm
Town Council Worksession
- To View Agendas and Video Recordings –
http://www.warrentonva.gov/government/town_council/meeting_agendas.php
April 21, 2020, 7pm
Town Planning Commission Regular Meeting
- To View Agendas and Video Recordings –
http://www.warrentonva.gov/government/town_council/meeting_agendas.php
Other Resources:
Governor’s Executive Order of Temporary Restrictions and Closures of Restaurants, Recreational, Entertainment, Gatherings, and Non-Essential Retail Businesses –
https://www.governor.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/executive-actions/EO-53-Temporary-Restrictions-Due-To-Novel-Coronavirus-(COVID-19).pdf
Food Access –
Grab and Go Meal Program –
https://www.fcps1.org/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=4&ModuleInstanceID=2027&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=16047&PageID=1Fauquier FISH –
http://fauquierfish.org/newsite/get-help
PEC’s Buy Fresh Buy Local guide – (Local farmers may have meat, eggs, and produce local stores are out of. Make sure to check their websites / call ahead for potential delivery / pick up options!)
https://www.pecva.org/library/documents/Resources-Publications/Publications/BFBL-Guides/2019-2020/BFBL_NoPiedmont_2019.pdf
Recreation –
There’s a lot closed…
https://www.fauquiercounty.gov/government/departments-h-z/parks-and-recreationBut several trails and natural parks remain open like the Riverside Preserve…
https://www.fauquiercounty.gov/government/departments-h-z/parks-and-recreation/facilities/parks
Broadband and Internet Access –
XFinity (Xfinity WiFi Public Hotspots are now open to everyone) – http://wifi.xfinity.com/Fauquier Public Library Internet to Go Program (Curbside Pickup Only) –
https://fauquierlibrary.org/services/internet-to-go/
Health –
https://www.fauquierhealth.org/coronavirus-covid-19-preparedness-information
Mental Health –
https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/stress-coping/cope-with-stress/index.html
Julie Bolthouse
Fauquier Field Representative
The Piedmont Environmental Council
540-347-2334 ext. 7042
[email protected]
Follow Julie on Twitter: @JulieBolthouse
