County Looks at Zoning Changes, Fire Services + Community Events
Published 19 days ago • 8 min read
Observer Weekly
September 25, 2025
Jefferson County, WV news & events
Every week, The Observer digs into the details that matter in Jefferson County. Our content is free for everyone to read, but producing well-researched local news isn’t free.
Quick Update: Wild Hill Project Denied Extension of Permit
The Jefferson County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) met today and denied a last-minute request to approve a 24 month extension of the “conditional use permit” (CUP) for the Wild Hill industrial solar project.
As previously reported, the former developer of the Wild Hill project had withdrawn its application to connect this project to the regional electric grid in October 2024. The new request to extend the CUP and restart the project was submitted by Elawan, a different developer brought in by the landowners earlier this year after Wild Hill’s unexpected termination of its contract with them.
This switch in the applicants between Wild Hill and Elawan proved to be the stumbling block for the three BZA members who voted against the CUP extension request. Despite the vote to deny the CUP extension, the BZA members who made the motion to deny the extension also pointed out that Elawan could simply submit the project for a new CUP that would be valid for two years.
County Moves To Add Clustered Housing & Mixed Use Zoning
Townhouses under construction in Ranson
The Jefferson County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on November 4 on proposals to add three new zoning districts to the county ordinance.
The Planning Commission has been discussing these changes for the past several meetings and decided at its September 23 meeting that the draft language was ready to proceed to a public hearing. The Commission agreed to move forward with draft language that would:
Create a Rural Residential district to allow clustered housing near existing cities and towns while preserving rural areas.
Add a Residential Commercial district to encourage new residential neighborhoods that also include shops or services.
Replace the current RLIC district with an Office/Commercial Mixed Use district for projects that combine housing, offices, and retail (but not the “light industrial” uses allowed by the RLIC district).
The Observer will provide more details once the official hearing notice is published.
Still Working on Solar Zoning
The Planning Commission is still wrestling with a proposed amendment to the zoning ordinance to update how industrial solar projects are permitted.
At the September 23 meeting, the Commission indicated support for the staff’s recommendations to increase the setback/buffer requirements and also require future solar projects to submit a full site plan — essentially treating these projects as it treats major residential developments. During the discussion, the Commission asked staff to recommend requirements for public safety reviews of new solar projects, so there will be at least one more round of review with the Commission before they schedule this amendment for a public hearing.
What this means: Residents will soon have a chance to weigh in on how future development and solar projects are shaped in the county.
A message from the Skinner Law Firm
FAQ: How to Find Your Auto Declarations Page
Your insurance declarations page holds the key to your coverage—it shows exactly what protection you have and how much. Most people can find it through their insurer’s app or in their annual policy packet. It’s one of the first documents we’ll need, and getting it early can make a difference.
County Commission Looks at Future Fire Service Needs
The Jefferson County Commission has begun meeting with the county’s seven volunteer fire companies to gather input on how local fire services may need to evolve over the coming decades.
The effort kicked off Monday evening with a meeting at the new county administration building, followed by town hall–style sessions at Citizens Fire Company on September 23 and Friendship Fire Company (Harpers Ferry) on September 24.
Five more town hall meetings are scheduled, each from 6 to 8 pm:
At the first three sessions, the Commission heard from long-time volunteers—many of whom also serve as full-time firefighters in neighboring jurisdictions—about their experiences, hopes, and concerns for the county’s fire response services.
The review process was sparked by a 2024 discussion about a special levy to fund replacement of firefighting equipment. Since then, the scope has broadened to include how the county might expand its staff of paid firefighter/EMTs.
The Commission has hired Fitch & Associates to analyze current fire service needs and recommend future options. Unlike the county’s ambulance service transition in 2022–23, this time the volunteer companies are being included in discussions before consultants begin their formal analysis.
Commissioners have said they do not intend to assume ownership of existing fire station buildings, but most other aspects of fire service delivery remain on the table. So far, the meetings have been collaborative and centered on key questions, including:
How to address a shrinking pool of volunteers
How to expand capacity as the population grows
How to attract and retain career staff amid regional competition
How to plan for replacing fire apparatus owned by volunteer companies
How to maintain and service equipment efficiently
How to create a sustainable revenue stream to fund services
Residents are encouraged to attend the meetings to listen and share comments.
Fitch consultant Steven Knight said the Commission should expect a draft report later this year, after he reviews both public input and dispatch system call data.
Freedom’s Run Race Series | October 4th – Shepherdstown, WV
Experience the thrill of racing — where history meets endurance! Choose from the marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, or kids fun run... all set against a stunning backdrop. Take in breathtaking views of Harpers Ferry, Antietam National Battlefield, the C&O Canal, and more. Whether you're going for a personal best or a scenic stroll, there's a distance for everyone — from first-timers to seasoned marathoners.
Marching Bands Compete This Weekend at Martinsburg HS
Washington HS marching band
If you’re a fan of marching band music, the Martinsburg High School Band Spectacular is the place to be this Saturday evening.
The Martinsburg High School Bulldog Band and its Band Boosters have been hosting this event for 46 years. For 2025, the organizers have signed up 18 bands from around the region to strut their stuff and compete for audience votes.
The event will take place at Cobourn Field in the David M. Walker Stadium (701 South Queen St, Martinsburg). Gates open at 3 pm and the competition starts at 5 pm. Admission: $10/adult, $5/students & 65+, Free for 5 and under. The concession stand will be open for food and drinks. Coolers are not permitted inside the stadium.
If you have clothing in your closet you’re not using, perhaps it might be a good fit for someone else in the community.
Page Wharton of EXP Realty and Cathy Bishop of Waterstone Mortgage are hosting the Eastern Panhandle Clothing Swap on Saturday, October 4th from 10 am. to 1 pm at the Ranson Civic Center (432 West 2nd Ave, Ranson).
According to Wharton and Bishop, the event is free and gives community members an opportunity to clean out their closets, swap clothing, and find new-to-them items — all at no cost. Attendees are welcome to take part whether or not they bring clothing to contribute.
Wharton, a mom of five and wife to a local volunteer firefighter, emphasized “We know how expensive life has become, and we wanted to create a space where people can both save money and feel supported. Nobody should face all of life's problems alone- free clothing is a simple gesture but we hope it helps people.”
“This is about more than clothes,” added Bishop, a Jefferson County resident for over 18 years. “It’s about building connections, meeting new friends, and helping families feel rooted in this wonderful community.”
Movie in the Park: Wilding — Family-friendly screening of a film based on the book by Isabelle Tree at The Amp at Sam Michaels Park (235 Sam Michaels Lane, Kearneysville). Friday, Sept 26, 7 pm. Free. Info…
Play: A Show by Any Other Name — Selections from Shakespeare in an intimate black box setting presented by Roving Peregrine Theater (113 South Princess St., Shepherdstown). Friday–Sunday, Sept 26–28, times vary. $ Tickets & Info…
Manhattan SHORT Film Festival — A curated selection of award-winning short films from around the world at the Shepherdstown Opera House (131 West German St., Shepherdstown). Friday–Saturday, Sept 26 at 7:30 pm and Sunday, Sept 27 at 3:00 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Mountain Heritage Arts & Crafts Festival — Local artisans showcase handmade crafts, food, and demonstrations at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds (1707 Old Leetown Pike, Kearneysville). Friday–Sunday, Sept 26–28. $ Tickets & Info…
Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival — A festival celebrating fiber arts including weaving, spinning, and knitting demonstrations at the Clarke County Ruritan Fairgrounds (890 W Main St., Berryville, VA). Friday–Sunday, Sept 26–28. $ Tickets & Info…
Grow With Us Gardening Workshop — Participants learn practical gardening tips for home and community gardens at the Blue Ridge CTC (13650 Apple Harvest Dr., Martinsburg). Saturday, Sept 27, 9 am–noon. Free. Info…
Park Cleanup Day — Volunteers help maintain playground and other parts of Morgan’s Grove Park (3988 Kearneysville Pike, Shepherdstown). Saturday, Sept 27, 9 am–1 pm. Free. Info…
Black Heritage Walking Tour — A guided walking tour highlighting historic sites important to Harpers Ferry’s Black community starts at 1030 W Ridge St., Harpers Ferry with ice cream social to follow. Registration required. Saturday, Sept 27, 10 am–noon. $ Tickets & Info…
Pride in the Park — A community celebration promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion with activities and entertainment presented by Berkeley County Pride of WV at the War Memorial Park (500 N. Tennessee Ave., Martinsburg). Saturday, Sept 27, 4–8 pm. Free. Info…
46th Annual Band Spectacular Competition — Local high school marching bands perform in a judged competition along with other activities at David M. Walker Stadium (701 S Queen St., Martinsburg). Saturday, Sept 27, 5 pm (gates open 3 pm). $ Tickets & Info…
Beethoven: For the Birders Concert — Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra presents a program of classical music at the Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church (100 W Washington St., Shepherdstown). Saturday–Sunday, Sept 27–28, times vary. $ Tickets & Info…
Education in the Eastern Panhandle From Legislation to Lesson Plans — Local educators discuss current issues in regional public education at Spring Mills High School (499 Campus Dr., Martinsburg) organized by Stubblefield Institute. Monday, Sept 29, 6–7:30 pm. Free. Info…
Birding Walk: Hawk Migration — Participants observe and learn about migrating hawks along the Appalachian Trail in this program presented by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (799 Washington St., Harpers Ferry). Tuesday, Sept 30, 12:30–2:30 pm. Free. Registration requested. Info…
Shepherd President’s Lecture: Dare to Dream — Annual President’s Lecture at Shepherd University features a talk about vision and leadership by bestselling author John Gilstrap at the Byrd Center Auditorium (213 N King St., Shepherdstown). Tuesday, Sept 30, 6:30 pm. Free. Info…
Author Talk: Eric Campbell — Historian Eric Campbell discusses his latest book about a critical inflection point in the Civil War in this program presented by the George Tyler Moore Institute for the Study of the Civil War at the Byrd Center Auditorium (213 N King St., Shepherdstown). Wednesday, Oct 1, 7 pm. Free. Info…
Rebel With A Clause (Film & Q&A) — Screening of the new film based on the best-selling book by author Ellen Jovin followed by a virtual Q&A with the author and director at the Shepherdstown Opera House (131 W German St., Shepherdstown). Thursday, Oct 2, 7 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
