Frequently Asked Questions

The Comprehensive Plan is a long‑term guide for growth and development, establishing a vision of what the Town of Bedford could look like in twenty years. The plan addresses a variety of topics, including land use, housing, economic development, and transportation. It identifies objectives and strategies that can be implemented to realize the community’s vision.

The Code of Virginia requires that every locality periodically review or update its long-range comprehensive plans. The Town of Bedford adopted its current Comprehensive Plan in 2017. It is anticipated that this full updated comprehensive plan will be adopted by the Town Council in late 2025. Land use and demographic changes that have occurred since 2017 will be considered as part of the update process.

The Comprehensive Plan is a formal policy document, which is referenced by elected officials, appointed officials, and different departments as decisions are made regarding the Town’s future. The Planning Commission and Town Council consider the plan’s recommendations when evaluating different policies and proposals, including rezoning requests, conditional use permits, and budgeting.

Adoption of the Comprehensive Plan will not change the zoning of any property. While the Comprehensive Plan is an advisory policy document, the zoning ordinance and zoning map are regulatory documents that indicate how property can be used today. For example, if an area is designated for commercial use in the Comprehensive Plan but is currently zoned for residential use, it can only be used for residential purposes (unless/until a rezoning is approved). Recommendations made in the Comprehensive Plan guide decisions regarding requested zoning changes. These recommendations will be considered by the Planning Commission and Town Council as future land use cases (rezonings, conditional use permits, etc.) are publicly reviewed.

The Future Land Use Plan is a component of the Comprehensive Plan. It is a map that designates areas where new development may be appropriate over the next twenty years. It also identifies what types of uses (residential, commercial, etc.) and residential densities may be appropriate in certain areas. A recommended land use designation is applied to every part of the Town, and that designation is considered as the Planning Commission and Town Council evaluate different land use requests (rezonings, conditional use permits, etc.). The land use designations are not intended to be site specific but are to be used as a guide for zoning deliberations. The Future Land Use Plan does not change a parcel’s zoning classification, nor does it impact the continuation of existing (legal) land uses or other uses permitted by existing zoning.

Members of the public will have significant opportunities to provide feedback regarding different components of the comprehensive plan throughout the entire plan review process. Check this website regularly, particularly the Get Involved page to learn about upcoming surveys and in-person participation opportunities.