PLANNING COMMISSION
Residential Density Limits Considered for Harbor District

By DORIE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave

August 9, 2012

Cape Charles Town Planner Tom Bonadeo has recommended adding density limits to the Harbor District zoning ordinance.

At the August 7 Town Planning Commission meeting, Bonadeo said a density limit could pre-empt proposals for overcrowded residential development in the Harbor District.

Bonadeo added, however, that he was unaware of any plans for residential development in the Harbor District at this time.

The Town Council adopted Harbor Area Design Standards in September 2010 as an addendum to the Comprehensive Plan.

In 2006, the Town paid for the “Harbor Area Conceptual Plan and Design Guidelines” study.

REZONING REQUEST ON RANDOLPH AVENUE

In other Planning Commission business, a proposed change to the Commercial District (C-1) zoning ordinance was raised by IES Holdings, LLC, owner of commercial property at 718 Randolph Avenue. The firm is requesting permission to build two residential apartments behind the existing property. The commissioners agreed to inspect the property before making any recommendation to Town Council.

GOLF CART CROSSINGS

Bonadeo reported that one golf cart crossing has been completed, and two more are underway. The crossings are for golf carts entering and exiting Bay Creek on Old Cape Charles Road and connecting to the Town’s path.

SIDEWALK REPAIR

Bonadeo provided an update on sidewalk repair. VDOT (Virginia Department of Transportation) has allocated close to $1 million for Town sidewalk repairs “very soon – the ink is almost dry on the contract.” However, VDOT will not place new sidewalk where it does not already exist. If funds are available, the Town could lay new sidewalk as well, Bonadeo said.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Town Councilman Frank Wendell asked the Planning Commission to consider if there are any studies indicating the effect on property values when an apartment house is built in a largely single family residential neighborhood. He noted a reference in the last Planning Commission meeting to a study finding that open space normally increases property values.

Wendell also noted that the Planning Commission had recommended that the basketball court at Central Park be relocated as a condition of allowing an apartment building to be located in the area adjoining the park.  (The existing basketball court is set to become a parking lot for an apartment building.) Wendell asked who would pay for relocating the court, and noted that nothing in the Town’s contract with the developer required the developer to pay for it, nor was there any performance bond or buy-back option as had been recommended by the Town attorney.