Dal-Nita Hills Waterline Project Project Advances to Board of Supervisors
A proposed Western Virginia Water Authority (WVWA) waterline improvement project serving the Dal-Nita Hills area will advance to the Botetourt County Board of Supervisors following action by the Planning Commission on August 10.
The Planning Commission considered a request for a Commission Permit, also known as a 2232 Review, for approximately 3,800 to 4,000 feet of new waterline along Etzler Drive (State Route 672) and Victoria Road (State Route 1050).
The proposed project is intended to improve reliability and water pressure within the existing water system and provide public water service to residents of the Dal-Nita Hills subdivision.
Planning Commission Vote
The Planning Commission voted 2-2 on a motion to recommend approval of the Commission Permit:
| Planning Commission Member | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Beth Leffel, Chair | Fincastle | YES |
| Steve Hartman, Member | Amsterdam | YES |
| Mark Tyson, Member | Buchanan | NO |
| Tim Lucas, Vice-Chair | Valley | NO |
| Blue Ridge District | Vacant | — |
Because the motion did not receive a majority, the Commission did not approve the request through the vote.
However, the Planning Commission's consideration occurred after the 60-day timeframe established under Virginia Code § 15.2-2232 and Section 25-576 of the Botetourt County Code. Under those provisions, failure of a planning commission to act within the required timeframe, unless extended by the governing body, results in the application being deemed approved.
As a result, the Commission Permit will advance to the Board of Supervisors for consideration.
The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to consider the Commission Permit at its August 25, 2026, meeting.
Purpose of the Waterline Project
WVWA is proposing approximately 3,800 to 4,000 linear feet of waterline extending from its water treatment plant at Greenfield Recreation Park, along Etzler Road and across Victoria Road.
The proposed improvements include:
- Approximately 3,250 feet of 12-inch waterline
- Approximately 750 feet of 8-inch waterline
- Pressure-reducing valves
- Four fire hydrants
- Connections to the existing water distribution system
- VDOT-standard pavement restoration following any road-cut work
According to information provided to the Planning Commission, the project has two primary purposes: to loop existing waterlines to provide more consistent water pressure and service and to allow residents of the Dal-Nita Hills subdivision to transition from an aging well system to the Authority's public water network.
County staff also reported that the existing water pressure in the subdivision does not currently support fire hydrants.
Questions About the Google Data Center
The proposed waterline has generated questions from some residents and Planning Commission members about whether the infrastructure could eventually serve the planned Google data center campus at the Botetourt Center at Greenfield.
The waterline project currently before the County is not part of the Google data center project.
During Monday's Planning Commission meeting, Director of Community Development Nicole Pendleton read a letter from WVWA Executive Director Michael McEvoy stating that the proposed project would not be used to serve the Google data center campus.
Planning Commission members also discussed the possibility that the waterline could potentially become part of a future extension of the public water system. Vice-Chair Tim Lucas noted that approval of the section currently under consideration would not itself approve a future extension to the Google campus.
Any future extension or separate infrastructure proposal would be subject to whatever approvals are required at that time.
Concerns Raised During Public Hearing
Three members of the public spoke during the Planning Commission's public hearing, with comments focused primarily on questions about the water authority's plans and the relationship between the proposed infrastructure and future water needs associated with the Google data center.
County staff reported that WVWA had confirmed the proposed pipe sizes were based on the Authority's design standards.
Commission Chair Dr. Beth Leffel said she had received calls from Dal-Nita Hills residents expressing a need for the proposed infrastructure improvements.
The issue of water quality was also discussed. County staff reported that McEvoy's letter referenced positive PFAS results associated with the existing well system serving the area.
What Is a 2232 Review?
The Commission Permit is a land-use review and is not a construction permit.
Virginia Code § 15.2-2232 requires certain public facilities, including water and sewer infrastructure, to undergo review by the Planning Commission to determine whether the general or approximate location, character and extent of the proposed facility are substantially in accord with the County's adopted Comprehensive Plan.
The Planning Commission's review is therefore focused on the project's general location and character rather than serving as approval of a particular future use of the waterline.
The proposed project is located within existing public rights-of-way and is identified on the County's tax maps as Section 88-20H and 88-20WTR.
Next Step: Board of Supervisors
The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to consider the Commission Permit during its August 25, 2026 meeting.
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