Virginia Law

In developing its findings of fact and recommendations with respect to a proposed petition for partial immunity, the commission shall consider the information, data, and factors listed in this section. Any county filing notice with the commission that it proposes to seek immunity for a portion of its territory shall submit with the notice data and other evidence responsive to each element listed in this section that it deems relevant to the proposed petition for partial immunity.

1. A written metes and bounds description of the area for which immunity is sought having, as a minimum, sufficient certainty to enable a layman to identify the proposed immunity areas. The description may make reference to readily identifiable monuments such as public roads, rivers, streams, railroad rights of way, and similar discernible physical features.

2. A map or maps showing: (i) the boundaries of the area proposed for immunity and their geographic relationship to existing political boundaries; (ii) identifiable unincorporated communities; (iii) major streets, highways, schools, and other major public facilities; (iv) significant geographic features, including mountains and bodies of water; (v) existing uses of the land, including residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural; and (vi) information deemed relevant as to the possible future use of the property within the area for which immunity is sought.

3. A land-use table showing both the acreage and percentage of land currently devoted to the various categories of land use in the county, the affected city, and the area proposed for immunity.

4. The estimated current and projected population and population density of the areas for which immunity is sought.

5. The urban services, including but not limited to those listed below, provided in the area for which immunity is sought and the type and level of services in relation to those furnished by the city from which immunity is sought:

a. Sewage treatment;

b. Water;

c. Solid waste collection and disposal;

d. Public planning;

e. Subdivision regulation and zoning;

f. Crime prevention and detection;

g. Fire prevention and protection;

h. Public recreational facilities;

i. Library facilities;

j. Curbs, gutters, sidewalks;

k. Storm drains;

l. Street lighting;

m. Snow removal;

n. Street maintenance;

o. Schools;

p. Housing; and

q. Public transportation.

6. Efforts made by the county to comply with applicable state policies with respect to environmental protection, public planning, education, public transportation, housing, and other state service policies promulgated by the General Assembly.

7. The community of interest that: (i) may exist between the area for which immunity is sought and the remainder of the county; (ii) the community of interest which may exist between that area and the city from which immunity is sought; and (iii) the relative strength of the community of interests.

8. Any instance in which either the county or the affected city has arbitrarily refused to cooperate in the joint provision of services.

9. Whether the proposed grant of immunity would substantially foreclose a city of 100,000 population or less from expanding its boundaries by annexation.

10. The commission's staff shall endeavor to assist localities contemplating or involved in partial immunity proceedings by identifying the additional data elements considered by the commission to be relevant in the disposition of partial immunity issues.