Planning Commission

Planning Commission Agenda Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 6:00 PM Economic Development Center, Council Meeting Room 803 South Main Street, Culpeper Page 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. CALL OF ROLL 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 4.1 Minutes from October 30, 2025 3-4 10-30-2025 PC WS minutes.pdf 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS Comments and correspondence from citizens, visitors and delegations in the audience. This is an opportunity for citizens to comment on any matter not scheduled for a public hearing. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 6.1 Comprehensive Plan Update 5-6 Vision Statement Three Draft Options.pdf 7. NEW BUSINESS 8. OTHER BUSINESS 9. FOLLOW-UP ITEMS 10. PLANNING DIRECTOR UPDATES Page 1 of 6 11. COMMISSION MEMBERS DISCUSSION 12. ADJOURNMENT Page 2 of 6  Minutes Town of Culpeper Planning Commission Work Session October 30, 2025 803 S. Main St., Economic Development Center, Culpeper, VA 22701 Call to Order Mr. Clements called the meeting to order at 9:00 am Call of Roll Members Present: John Cerio James Clements Ian Fitzsimmons John Flanagan Janie Schmidt Staff Present: Andrew Hopewell, Director of Planning and Community Development Connie Dalton, Town Planner Kelli Carmichael, Planning and Zoning Assistant Approval of Agenda Motion: By Mr. Cerio, to approve the agenda as presented Seconded: By Ms. Schmidt Vote: Approved 5-0 Approval of Minutes Motion: By Ms. Schmidt, to approve the minutes as presented Seconded: By Mr. Flanagan Vote: Approved 5-0 Comments and Correspondence from Citizens, Visitors and Delegations in the Audience on Items Not Scheduled for Public Hearing. None. Mr. Fitzsimmons requested a short recess to allow for him to obtain his presentation that he prepared for the Commission. Recess commenced at 9:03 a.m. The meeting resumed at 9:16 a.m. Unfinished Business None. Discussion Items Comprehensive Plan Update: Mr. Fitzsimmons presented his research that he compiled of Comp Plans from other localities within the State. Discussion ensued regarding his findings. Planning Commission Work Session 1 Minutes – October 30, 2025 Page 3 of 6 The Commissioners shared their points on core components of the vision for the Comp Plan. Discussion ensued on various aspects of the Comp Plan. Mr. Clements requested that the Commissioners come to the next work session with an idea of who the voices are that they need to hear from and how to get the word out to them. Motion: By Ms. Schmidt, to cancel the regularly scheduled November and December work sessions and combine them for a December 4th work session Seconded: By Mr. Fitzsimmons Vote: Approved 5-0 Other Business Mr. Hopewell requested that the Commissioners wishing to attend the State Planning conference for 2026 reach out to him. Mr. Clements inquired about the agenda for November’s regular meeting. Mr. Hopewell noted the Comp Plan update is the only item currently scheduled for the November regular meeting. Follow Up Items None. Planning Director Discussion Mr. Hopewell updated the Commission that the necessary steps are being taken to implement the UDO and that there has already been an administrative modification request received. Planning Commissioner Discussion None. Adjournment - The meeting adjourned at 11:06 am _______________________ ______________________________ Date Chairman Planning Commission Work Session 2 Minutes – October 30, 2025 Page 4 of 6  Vision Statement Option - #1 The Town of Culpeper envisions a vibrant and resilient future—one that prepares for tomorrow while preserving the heritage, character, and natural beauty that define our gateway to the Blue Ridge. We are committed to cultivating a high quality of life for all citizens through proactive investment in infrastructure, public facilities, and transportation systems that enhance connectivity, safety, and accessibility for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles alike. The Town will accommodate housing needs for all stages of life, preserving and enhancing existing residential areas while encouraging quality infill development that reflects our unique character. Through the promotion of walkable, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods and business districts, we will create places where residents and visitors can live, work, play, and retire in comfort and community. Our thriving and sustainable economy will be strengthened by supporting tourism—the lifeblood of our area—while encouraging employment centers, smart commercial development, and a diversity of economic sectors that promote opportunity for all. We will foster a spirit of innovation, equity, and health, ensuring that every resident and business can grow securely and prosper together. Rooted in stewardship of our historic legacy and natural environment, this vision embraces culture, commerce, and community as the foundation for balanced, equitable, and economically viable growth. Guided by our vision, supported by strong infrastructure, and implemented through thoughtful planning, we will ensure that the Town of Culpeper remains a thriving, inclusive, and enduring community for generations to come—where voices, both young and old, are heard, opportunities abound, and the spirit of our past inspires the promise of our future. Vision Statement - Option #2 Rooted in our rich past and inspired by the promise of tomorrow, the Town of Culpeper embraces a vibrant future filled with opportunity, connection, and care. We are a community where culture, commerce, and creativity thrive together — a place for generations to live, work, and play amid the beauty of our Blue Ridge gateway. Through thoughtful growth and stewardship, we preserve our character while investing in the people, places, and pathways that unite us. Walkable streets, welcoming neighborhoods, and thriving local businesses reflect our shared commitment to health, equity, and economic vitality. Here, history and progress move hand in hand — building a sustainable, inclusive, and enduring community where every generation can belong, prosper, and celebrate the spirit that makes Culpeper our home. Vision Statement - Option #3 The Town of Culpeper is the heart of the greater Piedmont. We embrace this role within the larger region by celebrating our culturally rich community that cultivates and attracts businesses, visitors, and residents alike. We recognize the importance of the many facets of community to ensure a vibrant, safe, healthy, and fiscally strong town for residents, businesses, and visitors alike. Through thoughtful growth and stewardship, we preserve our character while investing in the people, places, and pathways that unite us. Page 5 of 6 This unique and independent town character serves as the springboard to establishing aspirational goals for “Culpeper 2050 - Committed to Community”. Walkable streets, welcoming neighborhoods, and thriving local businesses reflect our shared commitment to health, equity, and vitality. The connection between goals is inherent when the linkages are identified to ensure the implicit connection with mobility, environment, place making, and health concerns are addressed holistically to support creating a vital community where choice is an option. Here, history and progress move hand in hand — building a sustainable, inclusive, and enduring community where every generation can belong, prosper, and celebrate the spirit that makes our Town home. We will celebrate, connect, commit, collaborate, conserve, and create while we honor our past and empower our future. Questions for Discussion What do you value most about living in Culpeper? What are the strengths of Culpeper? How do these strengths translate to opportunities? What are the obstacles that you see to reaching aspirational goals for Culpeper? What are the weaknesses of Culpeper? How might the strengths compensate for these weaknesses? 11-12-2025 Page 6 of 6