Although City Council is the governing body of the City of Buena Vista, there are multiple boards, commissions, authorities, and committees that focus on specific issues. These volunteer entities, some of which are local and some of which are regional, perform important work advancing the Rockbridge area.

Current Board and Commission Vacancies

  • The Board of Zoning Appeals: One (1) three (3) year term & One (1) five (5) year term
    • Meet on an "as needed" basis
    • The board’s responsibilities consist of hearing and deciding appeals of zoning determinations and decisions. If an individual believes that a determination made by the Zoning Administrator, or a decision reached by the Planning Commission, is incorrect, he or she can appeal the decision to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
    • In Buena Vista, it is solely a judicial body and possesses no legislative or ministerial authority. Each member of the board serves five-year terms and is appointed by the Circuit Court.
  • Dabney S. Lancaster Community College Board: One (1) two and a half (2.5) year term
    • Term begins immediately and expires June 30, 2024
    • Meet on Mondays at 4:00 pm
    • The board is responsible for serving as a channel of communication between the State Board of Community Colleges and the government of local political subdivisions.
    • The board recommends to the State Board the master site plans for the college and its campuses, approves capital outlay plan for parking and reserve funds for parking from local government for the construction, repair, and maintenance of parking; and participates in the selection, evaluation, and removal of the college president.
    • Other responsibilities include eliciting community participation in program planning and development, establishing local citizen advisory committees for specialized programs and curricula, reviewing new curriculum proposals and program discontinuation proposals, and overseeing the development and evaluation of the college’s community service program.
    • The board reviews and approves local funds budgets, in addition to approving local regulations on student conduct.
  • The Planning Commission: One (1) four (4) year term
    • Meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each Month
    • The Planning Commission is responsible for long-range land use planning, including:
      • The Comprehensive Plan
      • Approval of zoning changes
      • Approval of development projects.
        • This includes zoning map and text amendments, conditional use permits, site plans, and variances.
    • The Planning Commission also serves as the Architectural Review Board of the Seminary Hill Historic District and reviews and approves Certificates of Appropriateness for projects within the District.

For more information or to apply, please contact Dawn Wheeler, City Manager’s Office, 2039 Sycamore Avenue, Buena Vista, VA at (540) 261-8601 or email dwheeler@bvcity.org. The application form can be found here: Boards and Commissions Application

Local and Regional Boards, Commissions, Authorities, and Committee

BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS:

Mr. Dennis Hawes – Chairman – 540-261-3382

Mr. Tom Roberts - Zoning Administrator - 540-261-8607

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY:

Mr. Brent Styler - Chairman - 571-246-2340

Ms. Kristina Ramsey – Secretary, Economic Development Coordinator - 540-261-8616

ROCKBRIDGE AREA COMMUNITY SERVICES BOARD:

Kim Shaw – Executive Director – 540-462-6600

CENTRAL SHENANDOAH PLANNING DISTRICT COMMISSION:

Ms. Bonnie S. Riedesel – Executive Director – 540-885-5174

DABNEY S. LANCASTER COMMUNITY COLLEGE:

Dr. John Rainone – President – 540-863-2800

ROCKBRIDGE DISABILITY SERVICES BOARD:

Ms. Joan Manley – Chairperson – 540-463-9891

ELECTORAL BOARD:

Mrs. Emilie Staton – 540-261 -8605

ROCKBRIDGE REGIONAL JAIL BOARD:

Ed Hosken – Chairman – 540-463-2840

ROCKBRIDGE REGIONAL LIBRARY:

Ms. Julie Goyette, Director – 540-463-4324

BUENA VISTA PUBLIC SERVICE AUTHORITY:

Mayor Bill Fitzgerald – Chairman – 540-461-0099

Ms. Dawn Wheeler - 540-261-8601

MAURY SERVICE AUTHORITY:

Capt. John E. Riester – Chairman – 540-817-0235

BUENA VISTA PLANNING COMMISSION:

Mr. Dennis Hawes – Chairman – 540-461-5263

Mr. Thomas Roberts – Zoning Administrator – 540-261-8607

SHENANDOAH VALLEY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD:

Mr. Jeff Stapel – Chairman – 540-828-2536

PUBLIC RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AUTHORITY:

Mayor Bill Fitzgerald – Chairman – 540-461-0099

ROCKBRIDGE AREA RECREATIONAL ORGANIZATION:

Joey Jones – Chairman – 540-377-5545

BUENA VISTA CITY SCHOOL BOARD:

Teresa Ellison – Chairperson – 540-261-2129

ROCKBRIDGE AREA SOCIAL SERVICES BOARD:

Dinah Clark – Service Director – 540-463-1231