Under § 15.2-2232 of the Code of Virginia, a local Planning Commission is required to review proposed public facilities and ensure that projects are substantially in accord (consistent) with the locality’s Comprehensive Plan. The Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) has been offered space at the Spotsylvania Towne Center for a library branch across from the Sheriff's Substation. The Board of Supervisors reviewed the proposal on November 9th and asked that staff seek Planning Commission review to determine whether the proposal is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.

The Public Facilities chapter of the Comprehensive Plan addresses libraries. The goal of the library system is to provide County citizens convenient access to high-quality library services. The following are location objectives:

• The selection of sites for library facilities should take into consideration geographic obstacles to transportation. All buildings should be on or near heavily traveled roads, or in or near shopping areas and be clearly visible to traffic.
• Provide new facilities to adequately and equitably serve all areas of the County. Schedule library land acquisition and/or construction to respond to both current unmet demand and new growth when it occurs.
• Provide locations for libraries that are within a 10 to 15-minute drive within the Primary Development boundary and within a 15 to 30-minute drive outside of the Primary Development Boundary.
• Sites should be located along main travel corridors with consideration of minimizing users’ drive time.  The site should be chosen to support the mission of providing library material and services to the greatest number of people.
• An alternative to construction of new facilities is to establish new libraries in leased commercial spaces such as shopping centers.  In Fredericksburg and other locations, public libraries serve as anchor stores and can draw one to two thousand patrons a day.  Branches could be located within the proposed mixed-use development areas proposed on the County’s Future Land Use Map.

The proposed branch location within a retail center in the Primary Development, along transportation routes (including FRED service) meets each of the location criteria noted above. The location also advances the goal of providing additional opportunities for computer and internet access to a broader segment of County citizens.