The Page County Board of Supervisors ‘ Sept 21, 2026 regular meeting 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), Jeff Vaughan (District 5) and Chairman Bucky Thomas (At-Large) were present.
PRESENTATIONS, PROCLAMATIONS & AWARDS
Presentation of the Housing Study David Hill and Jonah Collins of Hill Studio led an overview of a local market and feasibility study for Page County, funded by a $40,000 grant by Virginia Housing to the Page County Economic Development and Tourism Department and conducted in cooperation with the Page County Economic Development Authority.
Hill Studio was selected to lead the study, which included stakeholder meetings; extensive market, utility and policy research; and the creation of site plan concepts based on research and utilizing land owned by the EDA on Goodrich Road in Stanley as a potential site for various housing units ranging in sales prices between $265,000 and $400,000 per unit.
Hill and Collins highlighted key takeaways from the study: a substantial need for new, attainable housing; a need for “healthy” growth and the preservation of the county’s rural character; potential for industrial/business/economic growth once more housing is available; current residents who value comfort, family, safety, natural beauty, local culture and the great outdoors; limited housing options for young, single people; and a collective desire among residents to see more pedestrian infrastructure between developments and stores and businesses.
Recommendations outlined in the study include incentivizing and encouraging long-term rental development where it is appropriate; to consider allowing more dense development in primary and secondary CSA zones; writing an additional housing study grant for other sites in the county closer to towns or in town limits; providing incentives for developers building appropriate development; and easing restrictions on manufactured housing.
Page County Director of Economic Development and Tourism Nina Fox noted that the full study will be posted on the county’s website HERE and provided to local realtors.
She reported that a new subcommittee of the EDA focused on workforce/attainable housing is using the study to guide its principles and brainstorm potential housing solutions.
CONSENT AGENDA
Supervisors unanimously approved the consent agenda as follows: financial reports for the period of Aug. 1 through Aug. 31, 2026; accounts payable checks, payroll checks, payroll direct deposits and payroll tax-related electronic fund transfers totaling $3,751,191.34 for August 2026; and the meeting minutes of Aug. 3, 2026 and Aug. 17, 2026.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Budget Amendments
Supervisors conducted a public hearing on budget amendments for the current fiscal year. The hearing drew no speakers.
Supervisors unanimously approved allocation requests totaling $691,661, including:
$7,744 from the general fund balance to the GIS department for the purchase of a plotter printer and a plotter printer service agreement.
$8,000 in local donations to the recreation department for a short-term lease for a robotic field painter.
$435 in carryover funding from a SpayVA Grant for spaying and neutering expenses.
$6,500 in restricted transient occupancy tax revenue to the economic development and tourism department to purchase promotional materials.
$99,663 in fiscal year 2026 carryover funding made up of restricted transient occupancy tax revenue for the Town of Stanley to film promotional videos and for the Town of Shenandoah to construct a pump track at Big Gem Park.
Also included in the approved allocation requests was $569,319 to the Page County Sheriff’s Office, including:
$56,000 in state funding through a DCJS SRO Grant to fund a full-time school resource officer position at Page County Middle School.
$2,500 in state funding through a TRIAD grant for a TRIAD conference and activities.
$1,000 in state funding through a HEAT Grant for a Flock Safety Camera System subscription.
$245,851 in federal funding through a DOJ COPS CIT Grant for training expenses.
$128,910 in federal funding through a DOJ De-escalation Grant for training expenses.
$107,500 in federal funding through an ICE Grant to purchase equipment.
$8,093 in federal funding through a DMV Grant for patrol wages and supplies.
$1,283 in carryover federal funding through a JAG LOLE Block Grant for mobile data terminals.
$9,849 in carryover federal funding through a BJA LE Equipment Grant for equipment and training.
$8,333 from the general fund balance, representing carryover funding for a local match to purchase equipment and fund training.
Zoning Ordinance Amendments - Short-Term Rentals
Supervisors conducted a public hearing on multiple proposed zoning ordinance amendments related to short-term vacation rentals.
The hearing drew 18 speakers.
Supervisors recapped background information related to the proposed amendments and noted feedback from community members, STR owners, planning commissioners and staff.
They noted that current STR owners would be considered “grandfathered” to any approved amendment changes.
Noting the volume of community feedback received at the public hearing and through phone calls and emails prior to the meeting, supervisors by consensus agreed to table a vote on the proposed changes until the board’s next regular meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 19, at the Government Center in Luray.
ACTION MATTERS
Acceptance of the AFID Grant — Page Valley Food & Visitor Hub & Approval of Lease Agreement — The Misfits LLC 42 East Main Street, Luray
Page County Director of Economic Development and Tourism Nina Fox presented updated information about the county’s recent award of $50,000 through the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund Infrastructure Grant for a Page Valley Food and Visitor Hub - a proposed commercial kitchen, restaurant incubator space, food truck commissary and micro visitor center at 42 East Main Street in downtown Luray, in the former Uncle Buck’s restaurant building.
She reported that, if approved, the project would be funded by the grant and restricted transient occupancy tax revenue and that a draft lease agreement reflected a term of up to five years rent-free followed by a term of up to five years at a fixed monthly cost of $1,500.
She added that an initial renovation estimate of $200,000 determined last spring would likely be higher and that the two-year grant did not require immediately spending money.
Instead, she said, if supervisors opted to proceed, staff would explore the proposed project more thoroughly, then move forward if different points proved beneficial to the community.
If supervisors opted not to proceed, she asked for specific direction from the board regarding commercial kitchens, noting that a Fresh Food Project funded by a 2021 AFID Planning Grant identified a need for a commercial kitchen in Page County and that the proposed food and visitor hub was supported by the Virginia Department of Health.
Supervisors underscored a need for additional information, noting that they’d like to see additional location options for a comparison, as well as a thorough cost-benefit analysis.
They noted that the AFID Grant typically opens to applications twice each year. Supervisors took no action to accept the AFID Grant award or approve a lease agreement.
ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Page County Administrator Amity Moler reported that early voting for the Nov. 3 general election began on Friday, Sept. 18, on the main floor of the Page County Government Center.
She reported that Page County was recently recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for earning a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence for Financial Reporting for a 10th consecutive year, based on financial reporting for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.
The certificate is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management, according to an award letter from GFOA.
Moler reported that after opening on Sept. 14 at the Government Center, the DMV Select in its inaugural week served 441 customers and collected $18,356.35.
SUPERVISORS’ TIME
Supervisors thanked those in attendance, noting the large turnout at the meeting, held at Luray High School, and underscored the importance of community engagement.
Watch a video of the September 21, 2026 meeting HERE.
The Agenda for this meeting may be viewed HERE.
See minutes from previous meetings, and agendas for upcoming meetings at https://www.pagecounty.virginia.gov/agendacenter
