The Page County Board of Supervisors ‘ July 6, 2026 work session included the following agenda items and actions:
CALL TO ORDER
Supervisors Jeremy Baldwin (District 1), Allen Louderback (District 2), Ryan Cubbage (District 3), Susan Kile (District 4) and Chairman Bucky Thomas (At-Large) were present. Supervisor Jeff Vaughan (District 5) was not in attendance.
UPDATE ON SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK
Deputy Superintendent for Shenandoah National Park, Kristin Gibbs, presented several updates about the park.
She reported that the number of visitors to SNP is about the same as the past few years, based on visitation numbers between January and May.
She noted that the National Park Service recently selected ExplorUS as Shenandoah National Park’s concessioner through a 15-year contract that’s set to begin on Jan. 1, 2027.
Gibbs added that the new concessioner is looking for office space and potentially staff housing in SNP’s gateway communities, including Page County.
She reported that the U.S. Wildland Fire Service is working with park staff and that SNP recently created the permanent position of a structural fire specialist.
ACTION ON SPECIAL USE PERMIT — RANDY WHITESIDES/DAWN PENCE Banquet/Event Facility
Supervisors considered a special use permit request by Randy Whitesides and Dawn Pence to operate a banquet/event facility on Riverbend Road in Stanley on a 2.5-acre parcel zoned as agriculture.
A public hearing was held at the board’s regular meeting on June 15 and drew four speakers.
The property includes an existing dwelling and barn and numerous accessory sheds, according to the application.
The applicants are proposing to convert the existing barn to an event facility, convert an existing milk barn to a dressing room, convert an existing pig pen to an outdoor serving area and establish designated parking.
Supervisors unanimously approved the SUP request as presented.
INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL USE PERMIT — FLOURISH REAL ESTATE / JOHN COPPER / GLENDA HOLMES Banquet / Event Facility
Supervisors reviewed a request by Flourish Real Estate/Jon Copper/Glenda Sue Housden Holmes to operate a banquet/event facility on Tanners Ridge Road in Stanley on a 1-acre parcel zoned as woodland-conservation.
The parcel incudes two existing single-family, detached dwellings and a former stone church and is owned by Flourish Real Estate LLC.
The permit application also includes a parcel containing 1.501 acres zoned as woodland-conservation.
The applicant is proposing to renovate and construct an addition to a 50-person occupancy chapel to conduct smaller-scale events such as elopements (between three and 15 guests) and micro-weddings (between 25 and 40 guests).
Supervisors voted unanimously to hold a public hearing on the request at the board’s regular meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 17, at the Government Center in Luray.
UPDATE TO STORMWATER FEES
Supervisors reviewed updated fee schedules for stormwater permits, as well as for the modification and maintenance of stormwater projects, by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and voted unanimously to conduct a public hearing on the proposed amendments during the board’s meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 17, at the Government Center in Luray.
ADOPTION OF THE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN
Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution to adopt a revised Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and to authorize Page County Interim Director of Emergency Services Woody Brown to make revisions as needed to the plan.
While the EOP is revised continually as needed, it is required that the entire EOP be reviewed and revised every four years.
DISCUSSION OF INCENTIVES FOR FIRE/RESCUE VOLUNTEERS
Supervisors discussed options to implement a new incentive for local volunteer firefighters and rescue squad members by establishing an emergency services volunteer motor vehicle tax rebate, as allowed by State Code.
If approved, the county would grant rebates to qualifying volunteers for personal property taxes paid for vehicles owned or leased by volunteer fire department and rescue squad members.
Supervisors voted unanimously to hold a public hearing on the proposed incentive during the board’s meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 17, at the Government Center in Luray.
CLOSED SESSION
Supervisors entered a closed session for personnel matters, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711 (A)(1) of the Code of Virginia.
EXIT CLOSED SESSION / CERTIFICATION OF CLOSED SESSION
Supervisors exited and unanimously certified the closed session.
ADJOURN
View minutes from previous meetings, and agendas for upcoming meetings at the Page County, Virginia Agenda Center.