EDC and PZC Meet, Talk Collaboration

It doesn’t happen often, but every once in a while, two boards come together in an official capacity at a meeting. On October 14, 2025, the Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) visited the Economic Development Commission (EDC). The meetings of these two boards were, in large part, to help the EDC understand the PZC’s role and how they can work together.

The EDC’s primary role is to conduct research and make recommendations to the Town and other commissions to suggest necessary changes. For instance, the EDC previously recommended that the PZC eliminate the cap on square footage for retail stores. As PZC Chair David Palmberg clarified, his board’s role is not to attract new businesses. The PZC is tasked with ruling on applications that come before the commission, and it would be a conflict of interest for it to “play both sides of the fence.”

Palmberg explained that the role the PZC can play in attracting businesses to town is to edit the zoning regulations to encourage new growth. For instance, the PZC has been considering altering the zoning around the Stafford Motor Speedway to promote complementary businesses to spring up around it. He also noted that the regulations had been changed regarding home-based businesses, allowing for some equipment storage and employee parking. 

Additionally, Palmberg spoke about the PZC’s recent changes that allow some existing non-conforming businesses to expand. An informal discussion about a property on Cooper Lane quickly followed that regulation change. 

Rich Shuck from the PZC said he had begun preparing a memo that addresses and describes the relationship between the EDC and PZC. He said it would explain the PZC’s restrictions. 

There was a lot of discussion about the Plan of Conservation and Development and the Donald Poland Report, which used data to determine which business sectors in Stafford had room for growth and which did not. 

Ultimately, though, Jacob Long, Chair of the EDC, said, “The town of Stafford knows what the town of Stafford wants.” He called on community members for ideas. So, if you’ve got a business idea – and the will to start it – the EDC wants to hear from you.