County Elected Officials Seek Path Forward Economically with the Town’s Decision Makers – NOT Behind Citizens Backs

The Warren County Board of Supervisors’ handling of an extensive regular meeting agenda, including eight public hearings and a 22-item Consent Agenda from which six items were removed for further discussion, indicated the County’s priorities moving forward.

Those priorities were most apparent in the removed Consent Agenda items, as well as in the meeting-ending “New Business” discussion of an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the Town of Front Royal on the joint costs of Tourism Services.

Those discussions indicated a desire to get on the same page with the town government on how to best move forward in economic growth to compete with surrounding regional communities.

The County Board of Supervisors faced a variety of issues at its September 15th meeting, highlighted by joint efforts with the Town on economic development and Tourism promotions moving forward. Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini

And it was made clear that despite some citizen expressions of distrust of meeting topics like ones included in Tuesday’s agenda, the county supervisors are NOT scheduling them to slip anything by this community’s citizens, most prominently regarding the approval or denial of DATA Center applications to be located here.

Joint County/Town initiatives

The economic development items removed from the Consent Agenda for pre-vote discussion, along with their motions and votes following those discussions, are listed below:

J.7. Economic Development Business Friendly Incentives – Administrative Approval of Site Plans — Unanimous 5-0 vote of approval on a Motion by Hugh Henry, second by Tony Carter;

J.8. Economic Development Business Friendly Incentives – Resolution for Approval to Request Water & Sewer Service from the Town of Front Royal — Unanimous 5-0 approval on a motion by Carter, second by Henry;

J.9. Economic Development Business Friendly Incentives – Approval of Incentive Policy — Unanimous vote of approval on motion by Henry, second by John Stanmeyer;

J.10. Economic Development Business Friendly Incentives – Fast-Track Permitting Policy for Target Industries — Unanimous approval on a motion by Henry, second Carter;

J.11. Economic Development Business Friendly Incentives – Updates to the Industrial Zoning Code for Alignment with the Goals and Objectives of the Comprehensive Plan — On a motion by Carter, second Henry, the item was amended and adopted by a 5-0 vote.

A sixth item — J.20. “Purchase Order for Linden Fire Station Drainage/Apron Project” was also removed for discussion for the unrelated reasons of unresolved cost estimates and contractor bidding processes moving foward. After discussion of the matter, including a staff overview by Finance Director Alisa Scott with support from Interim County Superindent Jane Meadows, it was decided to table a decision in order to put the project out to bid. That motion by Henry, second from Stanmeyer, was approved 5-0. Henry’s motion was amended slightly by Stanmeyer to include this meeting’s discussion of the matter.

Joint Tourism initiative

The “New Business” item — K.1. “MOU with Town of Front Royal for Tourism Services” — was also discussed extensively near the 6 p.m. meeting’s end at 9:19 p.m. Interim Superintendent Meadows introduced the topic, which received legal background from County Attorney Jason Ham.

Interim County Administrator Jane Meadows and County Attorney Jason Ham responded to questions and presented background information on a number of issues on the agenda Tuesday night.

“This MOU is the one I have circulated to, I think, the full board. There has been some discussion as to what dollar amount was assigned to it. So, I’m going to let the five of you decide what formula and what dollar amount because I think everybody is at a different point,” Meadows began.

“I know that we have discussed this would be a year trial. So, I’m not sure I’m comfortable with an automatic re-up because I think we need to discuss how the year went,” Board Chairman Cheryl Cullers observed, adding, “There’s a lot of vagueness in here. There are no objectives and goals, a plan really of what the tourism effort is going to be.”

After additional group discussion and staff input, the County’s proposed contribution was determined to be $212,000. In his opening remarks, Vice-Chairman Tony Carter noted that amount had initially been determined based on 60 percent of the total annual joint tourism budget. Other higher numbers were also cited as subsequently being brought forward, which Carter indicated could have been made from a number including more than just a percentage of the combined Tourism Budget. Carter said those numbers should be cast aside. And his colleagues eventually agreed.

The supervisors worked hard at Tuesday’s meeting.

On a motion by Fork District Supervisor Henry, seconded by Happy Creek Supervisor Carter, the board unanimously approved sending the Town a draft Memorandum Of Understanding citing $212,000 as the County’s initial annual contribution to the joint Tourism Services initiative.

Following that vote, the supervisors’ meeting of September 15, 2026, convened at 6 p.m. was adjourned at 9:19 p.m.

For additional actions, discussion, and public input, including the eight Public Hearings, see the LINKED County video. Near the meeting’s outset, the board received an update on regional news from former County official and current District State representative Delores Oates.

State Delegate Delores Oates, a familiar political face here, presented a report on regional economic and environmental issues and how this community could be affected by, or compete with, surrounding economic and development initiatives. Below, Public Works Director Mike Berry—we promise it’s not Planning Director Wahl—handled several staff reports on the County’s airport development issues, including facility expansion and rentals.

Those Public Hearings covered the items below. All items, except F.2, passed by unanimous 5-0 votes. The tabling of F.2. was also by a unanimous vote.

1. Public Hearings

F.1. CUP2026-06-01 – Short-Term Tourist Rental – 339 River Oak Drive – A request for a conditional use permit for a short-term tourist rental. The property is located at 339 River Oak Drive and is identified on Tax Map 35B, Section 3, as Lot H. The property is zoned Agricultural (A) and is located in the South River Magisterial District. – Kelly Wahl, Planning Director

F.2. CUP2026-07-01 – Short Term Tourist Rental – 285 Dry Run Court – A request for a conditional use permit for a short-term tourist rental. The property is located at 285 Dry Run Court and is identified on Tax Map 15C, Section 1, Block 6, as Lot 32. The property is zoned Residential-One (R-1) and is located in the Shenandoah Magisterial District. – Kelly Wahl, Planning Director — Tabled until the matter could be publicly re-advertised to accommodate legal parameters regarding pre-Public Hearing public advertising.

F.3. CUP2026-07-02 – Private-Use Camping – 0 Rivermont Acres Road – A request for a conditional use permit for private-use camping. The property is located at 0 Rivermont Acres Road and is identified on Tax Map 19F1, Section 1, as Lot 16C. The property is zoned Residential-One (R-1) and is located in the Fiddlers Green Subdivision in the Fork Magisterial District. – Kelly Wahl, Planning Director

F.4. CUP2026-07-03 – Short Term Tourist Rental – 1716 Ridgeway Road – A request for a conditional use permit for a short-term tourist rental. The property is located at 1716 Ridgeway Road and is identified on Tax Map 18 as Lot 71. The property is zoned Agricultural (A) and is located in the Fork Magisterial District. – Kelly Wahl, Planning Director

F.5. Lease of County-Owned Property located at 229 Stokes Airport Road to Skydive Front Royal – Mike Berry, Public Works Director

F.6. VDOT Right of Way Purchase – Jane Meadows, Deputy County Administrator

F.7. Budget Amendment exceeding 1% of total expenditures – Box Hangars – Mike Berry, Public Works

F.8. Budget Amendment exceeding 1% of total expenditures – Runway Rehabilitation – Mike Berry, Public Works Director