§ 15.2-3913. Public hearing on charter; notice and publication; adoption of charter by governing body
Upon the completion of the proposed charter the governing body shall hold a public hearing at which the citizens shall have an opportunity to be heard with respect thereto. Notice of the time and place of such hearing and the text of the charter, or an informative summary thereof, shall be published in a newspaper […]
§ 15.2-3904. Parties
In any proceedings instituted under the provisions of this chapter, any voter or property owner or person having an interest in the county may by petition become a party to the proceedings. Any locality having a common boundary or other person affected by the proceedings may appear and shall be made a party to the […]
§ 15.2-3905. Time limit for intervenors; publication of order
The special court shall by order fix a time within which a voter, property owner, person having an interest, or locality not served may become a party to proceedings instituted under this chapter, and thereafter no such petition shall be received, except for good cause shown. A copy of the order shall be published at […]
§ 15.2-3906. Pretrial conference; matters considered
The special court shall, prior to hearing any case under this chapter, direct the attorneys for the parties to appear before it, or in its discretion before a single judge, for a conference to consider: 1. Simplification of the issues; 2. Amendment of pleadings and filing of additional pleadings; 3. Stipulations as to facts, documents, […]
§ 15.2-3907. Hearing and decision by court
A. The special court shall order an election to determine if the voters of the county desire the General Assembly to grant the county a municipal charter if, after hearing the evidence, it finds that: 1. The county possesses at the time of the filing of the petition a minimum population of 20,000 persons and […]
§ 15.2-3908. Assistance of state agencies
The special court may, in its discretion, direct any appropriate state agency, in addition to the Commission on Local Government, to gather and present evidence, including statistical data and exhibits, for the court, subject to the usual rules of evidence. The court shall determine the actual expense of preparing such evidence and shall tax such […]
§ 15.2-3900. Transition authorized
Any county in this Commonwealth may become an independent city by complying with the requirements and procedures set forth in this chapter. 1979, c. 85, § 15.1-977.1; 1997, c. 587.
§ 15.2-3901. Ordinance petitioning court to declare eligibility
The governing body of any county may, by ordinance passed by a recorded majority vote of all the members thereof, petition the circuit court for the county, alleging that the county meets the criteria set out in § 15.2-3907, for an order declaring the county eligible for city status. The circuit court with which the […]
§ 15.2-3902. Moratorium on annexation suits pending transition to city
Any annexation suit filed against a county on or after the day the county’s petition for city status is filed in the circuit court shall be stayed pending the special court’s order denying eligibility for city status or the election ordered on the proposed city charter, whichever occurs. If the voters approve the city charter, […]
§ 15.2-3903. Notice of motion; service and publication; answer
At least thirty days before instituting a proceeding under the provisions of this chapter, a county shall serve notice on the attorney for the Commonwealth, or on the city or county attorney, if there is one, and on the chairman of the board of supervisors of each adjoining county and the mayor of each city […]