For additional information, please contact the HRPDC at (757) 420-8300

Hampton Roads Planning District Commission

The HRPDC staff works closely with staff from the member local governments, regional, state and federal agencies.  Local government and state and federal agency staff participate actively in the complex advisory committee structure which works to ensure that HRPDC programs meet the needs of the region’s localities and citizens.  The HRPDC Committees include subject area experts from each of the member local governments appointed by the Chief Administrative Officers of the localities. Several Committees also include representatives from the Towns of Smithfield and Windsor and various regional agencies, such as the Hampton Roads Sanitation District, Hampton Roads Transit, Southeastern and Peninsulas Public Service Authorities and others. 

Click here to view the HRPDC Meeting Calendar.

Click here to view Commission Meeting Minutes and Agendas. (search by Month and Year)

Public Involvement Committee

The Community Advisory Committee (CAC) is comprised of up to 30 representatives from Hampton Roads’ member jurisdictions and services as an advisory committee to the HRPDC and HRTPO Board. The CAC ensures that the voices and perspectives of the public are received by the HRPDC and HRTPO and considered in our planning process. 

CAC meetings occur six (6) times per year. These meetings are open to the public, and as such, include a public comment period wherein any member of the public can share any thoughts and perspective on regional initiatives. Agendas indicating the meeting location and time are posted to the HRPDC and HRTPO meeting calendars approximately one week prior to the meeting dates.

Click here to view the HRPDC Meeting Calendar

Click here to view the CAC Meeting Archives (search Meeting Calendar by Committee, Month and Year)

Water Resources Planning Committees

Capacity Team

The Capacity Team meetings provide a forum to discuss the requirements of the HRSD’s Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) Consent Decree, which requires extensive coordination with localities.  The Capacity Team includes representatives from the wastewater functions of the affected local governments, HRSD, HRPDC, and consultants.

Coastal Resiliency Committee

The responsibilities of the Coastal Resiliency Committee include: 1) developing recommendations related to flooding and sea level rise adaptation and mitigation, 2) advocating for state and federal government support and action on coastal resilience topics, and 3) serving as the primary regional contact for collaboration with federal agencies and academic institutions.  The Committee includes senior representatives from local government planning, public works, and community development departments, as well as the City Manager’s office.

Coastal Resiliency Working Group

The Coastal Resiliency Working Group addresses technical aspects related to recurrent flooding and sea level rise adaptation and mitigation.

Directors of Utilities Committee

The Directors of Utilities Committee addresses technical and administrative issues associated with the planning and operation of the region’s water supply and wastewater systems, as well as a broad range of other water resource management issues.  The Committee includes the Director of Utilities or a senior representative from the member jurisdictions, the Towns of Smithfield and Windsor, the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) and the HRPDC. Semiannually, the committee meets jointly with the local Directors of Health and the Virginia Department of Health to discuss issues of mutual concern associated with drinking water and other water quality issues.

Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) Technical Committee

A Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) is a cooperative planning effort conducted as a joint venture between military installations, surrounding jurisdictions, state and federal agencies, and other stakeholders to address compatibility issues around military bases. The goal of a JLUS is to reduce potential conflicts between military bases and surrounding areas while accommodating new growth and economic development while protecting the operations missions of active military bases. Several JLUS planning efforts have been completed on both the Southside and the Peninsula to identify strategies and activities that can be collaboratively advanced between the community and the military.

Regional Construction Standards Committee

The Regional Construction Standards represent a collaborative effort of the seventeen HRPDC member jurisdictions, the HRSD, and the Hampton Roads Utility and Heavy Contractors Association (HRUHCA) to develop uniform construction standards for improvements in public rights of way. The Full Committee, consisting of up to two voting representatives from each jurisdiction and one voting member from HRSD and HRUHCA, is the governing body for the Standards and approves and recommends new editions for adoption by the Commission.

Regional Environmental Committee

The Regional Environmental Committee consolidates the work of the former Hampton Roads Chesapeake Bay Committee and Regional Stormwater Management Committee. The Committee addresses technical and administrative issues associated with environmental planning, land use, water quality, stormwater, environmental education, as well as a broad range of other coastal and planning issues.   

Regional Stormwater Management Workgroup

The Regional Stormwater Management Workgroup supports the implementation of programs required by the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permits, issued by the state to twelve of the region’s localities. The Workgroup also evaluates technical, regulatory and policy initiatives in stormwater management outside the requirements of MS4 permits, such as the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) development and implementation plans.

Water Quality Technical Workgroup

The Water Quality Technical Workgroup addresses technical aspects of water quality-related issues. Topics related to best management practices, developing research, and emerging water quality concerns are discussed by technical experts and interested locality practitioners, consultants, scientists, and planners.

Regional Planning Committees

Hampton Roads Planning Directors

The HRPDC facilitates a regular meeting of local government planning directors. The goals of the meeting are to develop and improve working relationships, share best practices, and collaborate to address regulatory and technical matters related to community development. The meeting is also used as a forum to communicate with and receive input from local planners regarding the work of regional organizations and provide input to the Chief Administrative Officers (CAO) as requested. The group meets on the last Thursday of the month. Agendas indicating the meeting location and time are distributed approximately one week prior to the meeting dates.

Environmental Education Planning Committees

askHRGreen.org

This committee is a comprehensive environmental education program, composed of the existing Recycling & Beautification, Fats, Oils & Grease, Stormwater Education and Water Awareness programs.  Staffed by the HRPDC, it is overseen by an Executive Committee representing the HRPDC’s four long-standing environmental education committees.  

askHRgreen.org Fats, Oils & Grease Education Subcommittee

Subcommittee was established to develop a regionally consistent program for managing fats, oils, and grease in the wastewater system. This effort includes training and supports compliance with the Regional SSO Consent Order. Representatives from the affected local governments (wastewater operations), HRSD, and HRPDC participate on the subcommittee.

askHRgreen.org Recycling and Beautification Subcommittee

The Recycling & Beautification is charged with developing a cooperative regional education program addressing litter control, recycling, and beautification. Membership includes the local Clean Community Coordinators (or similar positions) from fourteen of the member local governments and the HRPDC. Local recycling haulers and Goodwill participate as nonvoting members.

askHRgreen.org Stormwater Education Subcommittee

The Stormwater Education Subcommittee was established by the Regional Stormwater Management Committee to develop and implement a regional stormwater education program. A primary purpose of this initiative is to support local government compliance with the Phase I and Phase II Stormwater Permits. The Subcommittee includes education, technical and public information staff from the public works and related departments and the HRPDC. The military, the Soil and Water Conservation District, the Virginia Department of Transportation, and the Department of Conservation and Recreation participate in an ex officio capacity.

askHRgreen.org Water Awareness Subcommittee

This Subcommittee was initially established to develop and implement a regional water conservation education program. Its mission has been expanded to include all aspects of drinking water quality and value. It includes education and public information staff representing the participating local government public utility departments and representatives from HRSD and HRPDC.

Hampton Roads Help To Others (H2O) – Program Board

The H2O Program is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, organized by the region’s localities, HRPDC and HRSD to assist residents who are unable to pay their water or sewer bills due to an emergency situation. The H2O Board is charged with oversight and direction of the H2O Program and it consists of the Director of Utilities or his/her designee from fifteen of the member localities, the Town of Windsor, and HRSD. 

Emergency Management Planning Committees

All meetings are closed and not open to the public. All information discussed and developed is FOUO (For Official Use Only).

Hampton Roads All Hazards Advisory Committee (AHAC)

The Hampton Roads All Hazards Advisory Committee (AHAC) is a consolidated organization assuming the missions of the Regional Emergency Management Technical Advisory Committee, the Hampton Roads Urban Area Working Group, the Hampton Roads Regional Catastrophic Planning Team, the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Medical Response System Oversight Committee (program is managed under contract with Tidewater Emergency Medical Services Council) and the Hampton Roads Interoperable Communications Advisory Committee.  The AHAC’s purpose is to

1. Provide policy direction and oversight for the development and maintenance of a coordinated and integrated regional approach to emergency management planning and response systems and identify ways for the region to work together and combine resources to address planning gaps.
2. Make annual recommendations for funding and budget requirements to the HRPDC Board and administer all funds appropriated to accomplish the work of the AHAC. 
3. Develop and maintain interoperable and operable communications capabilities and associated emergency communications activities.
4. Foster regional collaboration and communication for various preparedness stakeholder groups.
5. Foster regional communication and coordination for community education and citizen preparedness. 
6. Strengthen mass casualty response, medical surge and mass prophylaxis capabilities.
7. Develop and coordinate hazard mitigation programs among the member jurisdictions.
8. Develop and acquire Federal, State and private grant funding opportunities on behalf of the region and make recommendations as to how the region can most efficiently and effectively utilize financial assistance made available for disaster planning, mitigation and recovery. 
9. Provide technical guidance and serve as a clearinghouse for homeland security issues for the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission.
10. Develop a “whole of community” approach to planning and preparedness by including jurisdictions outside the HRPDC region and representation from critical entities such as the military, VOADs, non-governmental organizations and private service agencies and industry.
11. Conduct Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (THIRA) on behalf of the region on a periodic basis as recommended by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the National Preparedness System and the Commonwealth of Virginia Emergency Operations Plan (COVEOP).

The Hampton Roads All Hazards Advisory Committee established and directs the following working group and subcommittees:

• Cybersecurity Subcommittee promotes cybersecurity throughout Hampton Roads through collaboration amongst regional information security partners and investment in regional cyber initiatives.
• Inclusive Emergency Planning (IEP) Subcommittee addresses the challenges of protecting the lives of our most vulnerable citizens by collaborating with and leveraging our community partners to provide the most effective guidance, enhancement, and support of local and regional emergency management efforts.
• Interoperable Communications Subcommittee (aka, HR RPAC-I) plans, develops and maintains regional interoperable communications between first responders and emergency managers.
• Public Information Subcommittee addresses the challenges of providing coordinated, emergency management related public information to the residents and visitors of Hampton Roads.
• Resiliency/Mitigation Subcommittee coordinates regional resiliency and mitigation efforts in Hampton Roads.
• Urban Area Working Group (UAWG) coordinates the application and allocation of regional grant programs that address emergency management and homeland security needs in the region.

Hampton Roads Metropolitan Medical Response System (HRMMRS) 

HRMMRS Strike Team Committee:  The HRMMRS Strike Team Committee was established to recruit and review recommendations for new and replacement members; conduct periodic review of Strike Team operating procedures and revise as needed; identify training courses; facilitate participation in regional exercises; evaluate need for additional and/or replacement equipment and supplies; support the role of the Strike Team in regional agencies, organizations, exercises, and events, review; and recommend funding sources for above duties.

For More HRMMRS Information, click here.