PurposeThe primary objective of the Southside Planning District Commission is to promote the orderly and efficient development of the economic, physical and social fabric of this rural region by assisting local governmental units in developing policies, programs and projects which directly impact the region's economic, physical and social needs.
Environment and Historic PreservationPlanning and management activities which impact or effect the environment or areas of historic significance are evaluated to insure conformance to the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act and those provisions which relate to the protection of historic and cultural properties.
Administrative OrganizationThe Southside Planning District Commission is an organization established to serve as the official regional planning and development agency acting as the forum to promote intergovernmental cooperation and coordination on mutual problems of regional significance.
Southside Planning District CommissionThe Charter of the Southside Planning District Commission was adopted on September 15, 1969, and Planning District 13 became the seventh organized Planning District of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The geographical extent of Planning District 13 is, and has always been, comprised of the Counties of Brunswick, Halifax, and Mecklenburg. A Planning District Commission is a public body, created by the Virginia General Assembly, to promote the orderly and efficient development of the physical, social and economic elements by planning, encouraging and assisting governmental subdivisions to plan for the future. It has no legislative or taxing power but provides an opportunity for citizens to participate in decisions to solve common problems and needs. In all of their activities, the main theme of Planning District Commissions is intergovernmental cooperation. Their primary mission is to serve the local government and the citizens of the Planning District. The PDC provides essential technical assistance to local governments, coordinates state and federal efforts to assist communities, reviews and coordinates local development proposals, and helps to achieve a realistic development strategy and utilizes it in shaping a long-range development plan for the District. The primary objectives are to reduce the waste, overlap and inefficiencies that frequently result from unplanned and uncoordinated governmental and private activities. The first meeting of the Southside Planning District Commission was held November 6, 1969, at the Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative in Chase City, Virginia, with members attending from the Counties of Brunswick, Halifax and Mecklenburg, the City of South Boston and the Town of South Hill. Also, at this time, the Planning District was designated as an Economic Development District by the Economic Development Administration.
MembershipThe City of South Boston reverted from city status to town status effective July 1, 1995, thus officially becoming a part of Halifax County. The Commissioners are the decision-making body that determines the overall District strategy, plan, policy and program; coordinates the work of the advisory committees; and represents the District in dealing with state and federal agencies. This Commission consists of 28 members with 54% elected officials. The remaining 46% represents various interest groups in the District such as agriculture, education, health and industry. Members are chosen in such a manner that all counties are equally represented and no one interest group controls the Commission. Brunswick County has five (5) Commissioners: three (3) elected officials, one (1) from the county planning commission, and one (1) citizen-at-large. Halifax County has eight (8) Commissioners: four (4) elected officials, one (1) from the county planning commission and three (3) citizens-at-large. Mecklenburg County also has eight (8) Commissioners: four (4) elected officials, one (1) from the county planning commission and three (3) citizens-at-large. The Town of South Boston has four (4) representatives; two (2) elected officials, one (1) from the town planning commission and one (1) citizen-at-large. The Town of South Hill has three (3) representatives: two (2) elected officials and one (1) citizen-at-large. There are eight minority members; Halifax County—3, Mecklenburg County—2, Brunswick County—2, South Boston—0, and South Hill—1.
Goals of the Southside Planning District Commission:
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