The Mathews Planning Commission on Tuesday agreed to sign a letter saying it needs the Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission’s help coming up with planning options for recurrent flooding and sea level rise in the county.

The MPPDC has received a grant from Virginia Coastal Zone Management for such a project, said a letter of engagement dated Oct. 19. The grant is funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission, with no funding required from the county.

According to the letter, Mathews will serve as a pilot location for the project, which will look at incentives local governments can use to encourage people to elevate their homes or relocate by “commoditizing protected lands in high hazard areas.”

Under the agreement, the MPPDC will review the county’s comprehensive plan and zoning ordinances and “identify possible barriers to implementation of new tools and methods.” Resea...