PLACID BAY SANITARY DISTRICT

Placid Bay Estates

Westmoreland County, Colonial Beach, Virginia

Placid Bay Sanitary District

The Placid Bay Sanitary District was set up by an act of the Virginia Legislation and the County in 1997 for Placid Bay Estates (PBE) roads and in 2012 for the dams. Funding for gravel roads maintenance is based on a flat fee on each PBE property, and funding for the dams is a tax which is based on a percentage of each home owner’s property value.

Currently the dam funds are used to repay a loan for the rebuilding of the dams on Mattox Avenue and Short Way.  The roads fund is used to pay for maintenance of graveled roads in PBE.

Annually the Placid Bay Civic Association (PBCA) Board of Directors drafts a budget for presentation to the County for specific projects on PBE roads and dams.

The PBCA Board is advocating for a wide range of community maintenance activities and projects including, but not limited to:

  • Determining maintenance needs, developing action plans, and ensuring the efficient and quality work of contractors.
  • Inspecting and monitoring the dams.
  • Responding to requests and concerns and keeping residents and County officials informed of current operations.
  • Monitoring roads and scheduling required repairs after inclement weather events.
  • Prioritizing and developing projects for road improvements, such as widening and drainage upgrades in preparation for eventual paving projects. And, identifying potential Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Revenue Sharing projects and administering such projects when State funds are available.
  • Working with the VDOT and the Placid Bay Sanitary District for evaluation of drainage easements required for road improvements.

For any inquiries or concerns on the PBE gravel road or dams, send an email to the Placid Bay Civic Association at pbca.org@gmail.com. We will investigate and request the County to authorize the funding of the repairs based on the funding available in the Placid Bay Sanitary District account.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding as we work to improve Placid Bay Estate’s infrastructure.

HISTORY OF THE SANITARY DISTRICT

In 1975 when ownership of the roads, lakes and other properties were signed over to the Placid Bay Civic Association (PBCA), membership dues were the sole means of maintaining the common property. How to pay for road repairs and maintenance has been a long-standing issue for the community. Both mother nature and mankind have contributed to the conditions of the roads.

When the Placid Bay Sanitary District (PBSD) was implemented in 2012, a user fee was established. Your county real estate tax statement indicates the dollar amount fee for each lot. Currently the PBSD fees are $144 for road improvements, and a separate tax based on the present value of your property for the Lake Placid Dam rebuilding loan. (https://www.westmoreland-county.org/fy23-24-tax-rates/)

The Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors sits as the PBSD’s governing body and oversees the funding, operation, management, improvements and maintenance of Mattox Dam and our private roads (Gravel).

Paved roads are owned and maintained by VDOT. For help with Paved Roads Maintenance visit http://my.vdot.virginia.gov. Report Road Hazards to VDOT online or call (800) 367-7623.

Property owners are responsible for maintenance of their driveways, including the culvert piping. Installing culvert pipes and keeping them maintained and keeping ditches flowing is critical to maintaining roads.

Placid Bay Estates is a golf cart community. The speed limit posted throughout Placid Bay Estates is 25 MPH.