A. Any district created pursuant to this chapter may be abolished by resolutions passed by the governing body and the town council of any participating town, upon the joint petition of the commission and the owners of at least 51 percent of the land area located within the district. Joint petitions shall:
1. State whether the purposes for which the district was formed have been substantially achieved;
2. State whether all obligations incurred by the district have been fully paid;
3. Describe the benefits that can be expected from the abolition of the district; and
4. Request the governing body to abolish the district.
B. Upon receipt of such a petition, the governing body and the town council of any participating town, in considering the abolition of the district, shall use the standards and procedures described in § 33.2-2101 mutatis mutandis, except that all interested persons who either reside on or who own real property within the boundaries of the district shall have the right to appear and show cause why the district should not be abolished.
C. If the governing body and the town council of any participating town find that (i) the abolition of the district is in accordance with the locality's comprehensive plan for the development of the area; (ii) the abolition of the district is in the best interests of the residents and owners of the property within the district; (iii) the abolition of the district is in furtherance of the public health, safety, and welfare; and (iv) all debts of the district have been paid and the purposes of the district either have been, or should not be, fulfilled or finds that the governing body with the approval of the voters of the county has agreed to assume the debts of the district, then the governing body and the town council of any participating town may pass resolutions abolishing the district and the district advisory board. Upon abolition of the district, the title to all funds and properties owned by the district at the time of such dissolution shall vest in the county.
2001, c. 611, § 33.1-445; 2014, c. 805.