ACCOMAC, Va. — The Accomack County Board of Supervisors voted Wednesday to schedule a public hearing on the Town of Onancock’s request to expand its municipal boundaries by 84 acres.
The boundary line adjustment would bring mostly undeveloped land along Liberty and Hill Streets into Onancock’s town limits, potentially clearing the way for higher-density residential development. The county has scheduled a public hearing for Sept. 17 during its regular monthly board meeting.
The proposed expansion would allow Onancock to extend water and sewer services to the area, which is already zoned residential and designated for future village development. If approved, property owners in the affected area would begin paying town taxes and service fees instead of county-only assessments.
County officials said the adjustment would not result in significant revenue loss for Accomack County.
The only initial concern raised during discussions involved sewer capacity limitations. Because Onancock’s wastewater treatment plant has limited capacity, the county requested that any new development in the expanded area count toward the town’s allocation rather than the county’s. Town officials agreed to the condition, which has been written into the proposed agreement.
Unlike municipal annexation, boundary line adjustments in Virginia require approval from both the municipality and the county, public hearings, and ultimately circuit court approval. The process is generally considered less contentious than annexation because it requires mutual agreement between jurisdictions.
Virginia law provides two primary mechanisms for municipalities to expand their boundaries: annexation and boundary line adjustments. Both processes are governed by the Virginia Code and overseen by the state’s Commission on Local Government.
Annexation, the more common method historically, allows cities and towns to unilaterally petition circuit courts to acquire adjacent unincorporated territory. However, a 1987 moratorium effectively halted most annexations by cities in Virginia, though towns retain limited annexation rights.
Boundary line adjustments, by contrast, require voluntary agreements between municipalities and counties. This cooperative approach has become increasingly popular as it avoids the adversarial nature of annexation proceedings. The process typically involves negotiations over tax revenue sharing, service provision, and development rights.
The Virginia Commission on Local Government reviews all boundary change proposals to ensure they serve the public interest and meet statutory requirements. Factors considered include the municipality’s ability to provide services, fiscal impact on both jurisdictions, and effects on residents and property owners.
Virginia’s Eastern Shore, where Onancock is located, has seen several boundary adjustments in recent years as small towns seek to accommodate growth while maintaining adequate infrastructure and services. The region’s rural character and limited development opportunities make strategic boundary changes particularly important for municipal planning.
Onancock, incorporated in 1692, is one of Virginia’s oldest municipalities and serves as Accomack County’s only incorporated town. The community of approximately 1,200 residents sits along Onancock Creek and serves as a regional center for commerce and tourism on the Eastern Shore.
Just read this article written August 24, 2025. Fascinating since my mother’s property is part of this Boundary Line Adjustment and she was just notified of this 4 days ago. She has also been told by the Onancock Town Manager that there will be no apartments or townhouses built next to her property. However, your article stated it was being designed for future village development. According to the Accomack County Zoning Ordinance, the Village Development District (VDD) is defined by its intent to preserve village character by permitting a mix of residential and commercial uses. The regulations governing development in Onancock are primarily determined by the county and the town itself.
Definition of Village Development District (VDD)
The VDD is intended to create and maintain traditional, village-style developments. Key characteristics include:
* A mixture of compact residential and commercial uses.
*A variety of lot sizes and building types. ……
This differs from what was told to us by the Town Manager. I feel they are being misleading in the reason for this Boundary Line Adjustment. They failed to provide the owners involved a reason this was being done. The owner’s affected have a right to truthful answers and also need time to hire appropriate attorneys.
Eastville expanded their territory a few years ago. About a 2 mile $tretch of Route 13, just enough to justify a dubious radar or laser “Claim” by the police profiteers, dubious town officials and happy townfolk.
County Deputies take care of the rest of town criminal problems.
Onancock’s reasoning is not sleezy at all but,
Eastville…..smells like a ripe fahrt.