Deputy County Administrator George Bains works with the "development" side of our organization: Planning, Zoning, Engineering, Environmental, Building Inspections, Utilities... all of the departments that work to safely bring in new additions to our county.

In the first podcast episode of 2025, we look at some of the new businesses and processes that are expected to "cut the ribbon" this year. Gloucester Point is opening a Dunkin', and there are several applications for development near the Walmart shopping center.

If you'd like to see the Development Plan Status charts from our Planning team, check out the Planning Commission agendas on: https://pub-gloucesterva.escribemeetings.com/?Year=2025.

Today we’ll be introducing you to a new Parks, Recreation & Tourism employee, and talking about all of the fun holiday offerings that are just around the corner in Gloucester County. To say that these Parks and Rec folks have been busy is an understatement. Here are some of the holiday events you might want to participate in:

The Festival of Trees: Friday, Dec. 6 from 5-8 p.m.
Christmas Parade: Saturday, Dec. 7 from 3-5 p.m.
Courthouse Circle Tree Lighting: Saturday, Dec. 7 (immediately following parade)
Waiting for Washington: Sunday, Dec. 8 from 2-5 p.m.
Pictures in the Park: Saturday, Dec. 14
Holiday Glo-Up lights contest: Enter by Monday, Dec. 16

The Beehive is a quarterly community newsletter, free to all county residents, containing information about county news and resources, volunteer information, community events, and classes and activities for youth and adults.

Recently, Gloucester County's hard work in revamping this publication into a full-color magazine (while lowering the cost to taxpayers) earned a highly competitive Virginia Association of Counties Achievement Award.

The magazine is primarily put together by our Community Engagement & Public Information Department. In this episode, Director Quinton Sheppard sat down with Media Specialist Savannah Haugdahl for a deep dive into the publication's purpose, history, and recent transformation.

This month, our Chief Animal Control Officer, Steve Baranek, talks to us about the services Gloucester Animal Control offers. He also offers some tips on keeping your pets safe as cold weather season approaches.

Finally, he shares details on the upcoming Rabies Clinic for cats and dogs that is scheduled for Oct. 12 from 1-3 p.m. in the Gloucester High School parking area.

For more information, visit https://gloucesterva.gov/animal-control.

To view available animals for adoption from the County's shelter, visit: https://www.petfinder.com/search/dogs-for-adoption/?shelter_id%5B0%5D=VA28&sort%5B0%5D=recently_added

What's better than enjoying the holiday decorations along Main Street? Enjoying interactive decorations with a purpose!

The Gloucester Resource Council will be bringing together nonprofits, service organizations and businesses that serve people in Gloucester (and the surrounding areas) to decorate trees and wreaths based on their unique missions. There will be a seek-and-find competition, photo opportunities, live music, carolers, interactive QR codes and more! It's free and fun for the whole family.

The kickoff to GRC's first Festival of Trees will be on Dec. 6 from 5-8 p.m. in the Courthouse Circle and along Main Street. Even if you can't make it to the opening ceremony, you can check out the trees in local shop windows until January.

To learn more about the festival or get involved, check out the Gloucester Resource Council on Facebook or email grcfestivaloftrees@gmail.com.

This month, Dr. Anthony Vladu, Superintendent of Gloucester County Public Schools, joins us to discuss some hot topics going into the 2024-2025 school year.

Division leadership has been working hard over the summer on a strategic plan for the school system that emphasizes safety and security. He also talks about how the division will handle the Governor's executive order regarding cell phones in schools.

Finally, he mentions kicking off a series of listening tours. These sessions are designed for open conversation and an overview of our strategic plan. He welcomes all community members to attend and share their insights.

**Session Schedule:**

- **Abingdon:** August 12, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., Cafeteria

- **Botetourt:** August 14, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m., Cafeteria

- **Petsworth:** August 15, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m., Cafeteria

- **TCWEC:** August 15, 7:30 – 9:00 a.m., Cafeteria

Many of you received a letter in the mail last week from our Planning & Zoning Department regarding a Zoning Ordinance update that will go before the Gloucester Planning Commission next Thursday, July 11. No rezoning of property is proposed with the Zoning Ordinance update; your current zoning district will not change under the proposed ordinance.

The proposed update, in general, will allow more flexibility for property owners in all districts (agriculture, residential, and commercial) to use their land. To find out what your property is zoned visit https://gloucestergis.timmons.com/#/mwl. Once you know your zone you can visit https://gloucesterva.gov/planning-zoning/zoning-ordinance-update to learn more about the process and review the draft regulations for your district. The district regulations are located in article 5 of the Zoning Ordinance.

The Planning Commission will welcome public comment on July 11! We encourage those interested to view the Planning Commission’s July 11th meeting to learn more about the changes. You can view the Planning Commissions public hearing online at https://pub-gloucesterva.escribemeetings.com/.

In the era when many people find reading materials and conduct research online, public libraries have taken up the mission of remaining a community "place."

For our Main Library, the draw isn't just the 90,000 print volumes in our collection. The building has to support students coming to quietly study, adults coming to learn new technologies, families conducting genealogical research, community groups holding meetings, and children working on reading cognition.

From January through May, contractors worked diligently to transform the library on Main Street (without closing it to the public). The result is a building which is safer, more inviting, more efficient, and ultimately suited to more of our community needs.

Check out the library's services here: https://gloucesterva.gov/library