By Taylor Boyd
The Henry County Board of Supervisors scheduled a public hearing for July 28 to receive public comment on proposed zoning ordinance amendments.
The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in the Summerlin Room of the Henry County Administration Building.
Director of Planning, Zoning & Inspections Lee Clark, A.I.C.P said the Planning Commission held a work session with staff on February 11 to discuss potential amendments to the existing zoning ordinance.
“Following the work session, which by the way, lasted several hours, staff developed proposed amendments and held a public hearing on April 15, 2026 to receive public input. There were no comments from the public,” he said.
Following the public hearing, Clark said the Commission voted unanimously to recommend the board to adopt the amendments as presented.
Clark said some recommendations include clarifying the definition of group homes in the county and raising the allowed size of accessory structures on residential and commercial properties.
“We added container homes to our ordinance and allowed them in the agriculture A1 zoning classifications. We’ve also clarified where saw mills can take place, both private and commercial,” he said.
Clark said another recommendation focuses on defining limited retail stands and addressing where they can be located.
“We’re allowing certain uses to take place by right on commercially zoning property such as health clubs, arcades, and apartments, and added RV parks that will be allowed by special use permit, all of that now in commercial zones,” he said.
To try and encourage housing, Clark said the Commission also decided that apartment units should be on commercially-zoned property when they were previously only allowed on residentially-zoned properties.
“We’re combining some industrial uses such as quarries and crushed stone operations and added the flexibility to consider landfills and incinerators by special use permit only. We’re lowering our allowed solar farm acreage to what has already been approved by the board of zoning appeals,” he said.
Clark said the Commission is also recommending a data center and a battery energy storage systems ordinance to create some minimum guidelines “should these uses ever be proposed in Henry County.”
“The items being addressed in that are water supply impact studies, screening, noise, and setbacks,” Clark said.
County Administrator Dale Wagoner said the commission and staff spent a lot of time working on the recommendations.
“We also collaborated some of the recommendations with new laws that’s passed at the state level in the last few years, particularly as it relates to data centers and other products to make sure we’re matching and lining up to the state. We feel like it’s a good addition to our zoning ordinance to make sure we’re using land appropriately and we’re doing that in a way that encourages housing as well,” Wagoner said.
Chairman Jim Adams, of the Blackberry District, said most of the recommendations focused on protection, not authorization.
In other matters, the board:
*Approved a temporary waiver of building permit fees for new residential construction and major residential renovations as part of the county’s ongoing efforts to expand housing opportunities and encourage investment in local neighborhoods.
The ordinance waives building permit fees for all new residential construction and for renovations or alterations to existing residential structures when the total project cost equals or exceeds $100,000.
The waiver took effect July 1 and will remain in place through July 1, 2028.
“Henry County’s economy continues to gain momentum, but one of the biggest challenges we face is ensuring we have enough housing to support that growth,” said Wagoner. “As we continue attracting new employers and creating new jobs, we must also create an environment that encourages residential construction and reinvestment in existing homes. This fee waiver sends a clear message that Henry County is committed to supporting housing development and making it easier for property owners and builders to invest in our community.”
Like many communities, Henry County faces an aging housing inventory and a limited supply of new homes. Housing availability has been identified as a critical factor in supporting workforce growth, attracting new residents, and maintaining long-term economic competitiveness.
The county has recently announced several major economic development projects, including Nathan Trotter’s planned $65 million investment creating 118 jobs and FKC America’s planned $18.9 million investment creating 60 jobs.
Continuing that economic success will require a corresponding increase in housing opportunities to accommodate future workers and their families.
“We have worked hard to position Henry County as a place where businesses can succeed, and now we must continue that same effort when it comes to housing,” Adams said. “Whether someone is building a new home or making a substantial investment in an existing property, we want them to know Henry County values that investment and welcomes it.”
The permit fee waiver is intended to encourage both new residential development and the rehabilitation of existing housing stock, helping strengthen neighborhoods while expanding housing options for current and future residents.
The board is expected to continue exploring additional strategies and partnerships aimed at increasing housing availability and supporting residential development throughout the county.
*Approved the items of consent.
*Heard an update on the delinquent tax collection efforts.
*Heard an update from the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation.
*Approved an additional appropriation of $24,166 received through the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program to purchase equipment to improve the capabilities of the Criminal Investigation Division for the Sheriff’s Office.
*Approved an additional appropriation of $45,000 received through the School Resource Officer (SR0) grant program for the Sheriff’s Office to continue funding an SRO at the Career Academy for the upcoming school year.
*Approved an additional appropriation of $18,574 received through the U.S. Department of Justice to replace bulletproof vests for the Sheriff’s Office.
*Awarded a contract to J.L. Culpepper & Company, Inc., to supply food for the Adult Detention Center. Although this contract does not stipulate a total expenditure amount due to fluctuations in the number of inmates, the FY 2027 budget has allocated $730,000 for this purpose.
*Awarded a contract to LabCorp Holdings, Inc., to provide laboratory services for inmates at the Adult Detention Center. Although this contract does not stipulate a total expenditure amount due to fluctuations in the number of inmates, the FY 2027 budget has allocated $90,000 for this purpose.
*Approved a contract extension with Prillaman Landscape Dimensions, Inc., for turf mowing, management, and maintenance at the Patriot Centre Industrial Park and Commonwealth Crossing Business Centre. The contract will be extended through December 31, 2026. *Approved an additional appropriation of $67,000 from the Board’s contingency funds to purchase a vehicle for the newly established Community Standards Officer.
*Adopted a resolution supporting a request to the Commonwealth Transportation Board to recognize Kings Mountain Road as “Henry County Veterans Highway” in honor and support of our veterans.
*Scheduled a public hearing for July 28, 2026, at 6 p.m., to receive public comment on proposed zoning ordinance amendments.
*Recognized Bobby Martin with the Community Connected Citizen Award.
*Conducted a public hearing and adopted an ordinance exempting livestock from taxation as a form of business personal property.
*Conducted a public hearing and adopted an ordinance regulating the outdoor storage of tires. *Conducted a public hearing and approved a request to rezone approximately 5.676-acres of the Blackberry District from Suburban Residential (S-R) to Commercial (B-1). The applicant intends to construct RV/boat storage units.
*Conducted a public hearing and approved a request to rezone approximately 1.726-acres of the Ridgeway District from Suburban Residential (S-R) and Agricultural (A-1) to Commercial (B-1). The applicant wishes to market the property for commercial use.
*Approved an appropriation of $500 from the Iriswood District Impact Fund to support a basketball camp for the youth.
*Approved an appropriation of $8,000 from the Ridgeway District Impact Fund to support the Town of Ridgeway’s July 4th celebration.
*Appointed Crystal Dixon to the Henry-Martinsville Social Services Board for an unexpired term set to expire on May 31, 2027.
Chris Lawless, of the Collinsville District, attended the meeting virtually.
