The Future of Subdivisions in Colonial Beach

Should Colonial Beach Citizens Lose Their Right to Speak Publicly on Local Subdivision Development Decisions Without Review From the Town Council or the Planning Commission and Give Sole Authority to Town Staff?

Colonial Beach is at a crossroads — and your voice may be on the line. Town leaders are being asked if they want to hand over one of the community’s most important responsibilities: deciding what new large subdivisions get built in our town.

What’s happening?

A new state law, Virginia Code §§15.2‑2259 and 15.2‑2260, aims to speed up housing development across Virginia by cutting “red tape.” In practice, that means removing Planning Commissions — and the public — from the subdivision approval process.

But there’s a catch.  Towns with fewer than 5,000, like we are, can keep local control — if the Town Council votes to keep the Planning Commission’s authority in place.

Yet, town staff are now recommending that the Planning Commission voluntarily give up its authority to review and approve subdivisions and give them sole authority.

Why it matters

If this change goes through:

• Large subdivisions could be approved without any public input or Planning Commission review.

• Town staff would have the final say on which projects move forward.

• New developments could trigger big costs — more demand on schools, fire and police services, water, sewer, and roads.

• With less Community oversight, the door opens wider for insider influence.

What’s at stake?

Once this authority is ceded, it’s gone for good. The people of Colonial Beach will lose their voice in shaping how — and how fast — our community grows.

Do we want to wake up one day surrounded by large-scale developments we never had a say in?

What you can do?

• Attend the Planning Commission Public Hearing:  

Thursday November 13th at 5:30 PM  

Town Center, 22 Washington Street  

Speak up for local control and responsible growth.

OR write: PlanningCommission@ColonialBeachVA.gov

Colonial Beach is at a crossroads — and your voice may be on the line. Town leaders are being asked if they want to hand over one of the community’s most important responsibilities: deciding what new large subdivisions get built in our town.

Related Article - https://fallschurchpulse.org/cc-seeks-to-retain-pc-on-site-plans/

Proposed changes by staff - see end of PC 10/9/25 agenda https://www.colonialbeachva.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10092025-210