In a small city like Waynesboro, it’s not uncommon for the difference makers to volunteer for multiple non-profit organizations or city committees.
Forging a new path as a realtor, Jeff Fife is most known for serving as executive director of the Waynesboro Y for two decades. While he stepped aside from his day job there last year, he still volunteers with the Y and numerous other organizations including the Waynesboro Rotary Club, Riverfest, the Salvation Army and the Regional Youth Commission.
In recent years, Fife and his wife, Fiona, have also purchased and renovated several properties in Waynesboro before offering the homes and duplexes for rent.
Fife has stepped up to serve his hometown in yet another way; he was appointed by City Council to the Waynesboro Planning Commission on Aug. 26. Fife was appointed by a 4-0 vote to a four-year term ending Aug. 31, 2028. City Council member Bruce Allen was absent for the vote.
Fife will join Planning Commission members Will Flory, Nigel Stewart, Anthony Gibson, Kenny Lee, Philip Klann and Jeremy Sloat.
Waynesboro Planning Commission members receive $50 per regular meeting attended or generally $150 per quarter. They are not compensated for any work sessions or time outside of regular meetings.
Conflict of interest?
Following Fife’s appointment, a Waynesboro resident reached out to AFP questioning if his new role as a realtor might be a conflict of interest to working on the city commission.
The city provided a list to AFP of planning commissioners dating back over two decades, and while we didn’t recognize any realtors on the list, there were several people who were landlords with rental properties during their tenure. The list also included numerous business owners and civic leaders. Past Commission members included Chris Darden, Constance Paradiso, Harry Colman, Jeanie McCutcheon, Elzena Anderson, Lorie Smith, Terry Short, Harold Stepp, Bob Harris, Webber Payne and Preston Hicks, to name a few.
Fife said he sees his role on the Planning Commission not as a conflict but as an opportunity to contribute to the thoughtful development of the city.
“I have a passion for Waynesboro, having lived here all my life and been involved in numerous volunteer and civic endeavors,” Fife said. “With my role in real estate, I see first-hand the growth and challenges our community faces, and I want to be a part of shaping its future.”
Fife, like anyone else who is appointed to the Planning Commission, is asked (though not required by state code) to complete a financial disclosure form before starting his term. Members are requested to update these disclosures annually.
His disclosure of real estate holdings includes his personal residence on Chatham Road as well as lots of land or rental units on Linden, Sherwood and Arch avenues in the city. Fife also listed dealings in real estate and a business association through his job with Westhills Realtors LTD, where he is a licensed realtor.
Waynesboro City Manager Mike Hamp conferred with the city’s legal counsel about potential conflicts of interest and disclosures at AFP’s request.
The counsel said in an email to AFP that the Virginia Conflict of Interest Act, or COIA (Va. Code § 2.2-3109), prohibits Planning Commission members from having a personal interest in a contract with the city or a city agency (like the Economic Development Authority or School Board).
A potential conflict (Va. Code § 2.2-3112) would arise if a member of the Planning Commission or an immediate family member had a personal interest in property or a business that may realize a benefit or detriment in excess of $5,000 (Va. Code § 2.2-3101) as a result of the transaction.
For example, if a resident had their property listed with Westhills LTD and filed an application to rezone their property in order to effectuate the sale, and Fife earned more than $5,000 a year from his employment with Westhills, he should provide an oral or written disclosure detailing the interest and recuse himself from participating in and voting on the application. He also should not participate in any discussions related to the transaction with anyone.
“For the most part,” the counsel said, “conflicts under COIA are self-policed. It is up to the individual member to be familiar with COIA, recognize any potential conflicts, seek legal advice if there are questions and provide the required disclosures and recusals relating to the particular transaction or contract.”
“If a situation occurs that comes before commission that I’m involved in, whenever a situation arises where there could be a conflict, I will recuse myself from any decisions related to specific properties or projects I am personally involved with,” Fife said. “As I’ve demonstrated in my other civic endeavors, the integrity of the process and the community’s best interests are my top priorities.”
The city’s legal counsel also pointed to state code governing all realtors related to their profession, and it does not govern or prohibit realtors from being members of a city board or commission.
Virginia is a Dillon Rule state, meaning local governments have limited authority and can only pass ordinances or deviate from state code in areas where the General Assembly has granted clear authority.
According to the code (Va. Code § 15.2-2212), Planning Commission members must be qualified “by knowledge and experience to make decisions or questions of community growth and development.”
Given their work experience, the counsel said, many localities opt to have realtors serve on their planning commissions.
“I believe it [my role of a realtor] provides valuable perspective,” Fife said. “My focus is on the broader development of the community ensuring that growth is responsible and beneficial for all residents.”
While Fife is still navigating his transition from non-profit leader to realtor, his focus remains on the betterment of his hometown.
“My passion for helping people and serving Waynesboro is still at the heart of everything I do,” Fife said.
The Waynesboro Planning Commission will meet for its next regular meeting on Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. at the Charles T. Yancey Municipal Building.
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Crystal Graham
