Planning Commission Sends Half-Finished
Zoning Recommendations to Board of Supervisors
By DORIE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave
June 9, 2014
Tuesday, June 10, is the big meeting of Northampton County Board of Supervisors on next steps to rezone the county. The Supervisors will consider zoning recommendations submitted by the Planning Commission, which state in a cover letter that there was not “adequate time” to properly review the draft zoning proposal. Planning Commissioner Mike Ward said the best the Planning Commission can do is submit its recommendations and offer to finish the job if the Supervisors give them more time.
County Administrator Katie Nunez has advised the Supervisors that Virginia law stipulates a 100-day time limit for Planning Commission consideration of a zoning application. But opponents of the rezoning, led by Exmore activist Ken Dufty, maintain that the 100-day limit was never meant to apply to zoning changes proposed by the county itself. Instead, it is meant to be a protection to resident applicants to assure timely consideration of their requests.
“This section of code, as well as the time limitation, was obviously written by the Virginia Legislature to give a private developer or resident seeking a zoning amendment the certainty that their request would not be hanging out in regulatory nowhere land for an extended length of time,” Dufty said. “It was seemingly never intended to give a governing body the right to impose a strict time limit on their own Planning Commission.” Dufty has requested a ruling from County Attorney Bruce Jones on the use of the code by the Supervisors.
All members of the Planning Commission agree that they only made it halfway through the review of the massive proposed changes. Commissioner Ward noted that just deliberating the proposed elimination of the Chesapeake Bay Protection Act on the seaside could take two years. [Read more…]
Tall Ships Festival Saturday; Day Sails Start Thursday
Strolling entertainers Carol & Malcolm serenade at last year’s Tall Ships Cape Charles Festival
By JOAN PRESCOTT
June 9, 2014
Avast me hearties!! Get your pirate gear on and head on down to Cape Charles Town Harbor June 14 and 15 for the third annual Tall Ships At Cape Charles Festival. This year’s festival will be the best yet, so come early (gates open at 9 a.m. and close at 5 p.m.). With so many fun things for the whole family folks will want to spend a day or the entire weekend.
Mix and mingle with real pirates and the costumed crews of three historic tall ships, Privateer Lynx, Schooner Serenity, and Kalmar Nyckel. Tour the decks. Take a day, sunset or pirate cruise on the Chesapeake Bay.
Hear the cannon roar when the ships return fire from a troupe of shore-based pirates, The Moody Crewe, representing the Golden Age of Piracy (1680-1730), who will hold free land-based kids’ pirate schools on Saturday and Sunday and a pirate costume parade and contest Saturday at noon.
Take a pirate sail aboard one of the tall ships. The Schooner Serenity is offering Captain Mayhem Pirate Adventure Sails three times daily on Saturday and Sunday. Kalmar Nyckel will host Pirate sails with Pirate tales, scavenger hunts, and the raising of the Jolly Roger. All three tall ships have afternoon or evening sunset cruises both days. In advance of the festival, the Kalmar Nyckel and Lynx are both offering three-hour day sails and private company or group charters Thursday and Friday, June 12 and 13. The Kalmar Nyckel will also host educational tours for school groups on Thursday from 9:30 – noon. Reservations are recommended; visit www.tallshipscapecharles.com for times and to book your cruise. [Read more…]
ESSO Buys Neuter-Scooter, Needs Donations
Sunset cruise on the Miss Jennifer earned funds for Neuter Scooter.
By SANDY MAYER
June 8, 2014
ESSO — Eastern Shore Spay Organization — was formed last November with the mission to prevent cruelty to animals and reduce the overpopulation of animals on the lower Eastern Shore through inexpensive spay/neuter services. ESSO currently provides spay/neuter services in Cape Charles for 26-30 animals every other month, but there is a very long waiting list.
In order to help more residents and animals, the organization recently purchased a Neuter Scooter van from the Virginia Beach SPCA at a price of $40,000, which now must be paid through grants and fundraisers. Nonprofit status has been applied for, which will enable ESSO to apply for grants and accept tax deductible donations. [Read more…]
Library Rededication Is Memorial Day Highlight
By NANCY DANIEL VEST
June 9, 2014
The spirit of cooperation filled the streets of Cape Charles on Memorial Day. The American Legion, the Town of Cape Charles, the Library Board, the Friends of the Cape Charles Memorial Library, and the Cape Charles Band worked together to create a beautiful service to honor those who serve their country and to remember those who have given all.
The American Legion began the day at the War Memorial with a solemn and reflective remembrance. The crowd stood in respectful silence to show appreciation for all who lost their lives fighting for freedom and those who still unselfishly serve their country. Attention then turned across the street and went from solemnity to celebration with the rededication of the Cape Charles Memorial Library.
The music of the Cape Charles Band filled the air and heightened the spirit of gratitude and patriotism. Senator Lynwood Lewis offered his respect for American soldiers and veterans and spoke of the opportunities the new library facility offers to the citizens of Lower Northampton County.
The Cape Charles Memorial Library has an interesting history. In June of 1919, 32 women gathered to take the first steps in their quest to create a library for the Town. Each woman brought a book to donate to the cause. The small collection grew slowly and was housed in private homes, a department store, and a bank before it found its first true home in the vacated Presbyterian Church building on Tazewell Avenue. On May 27, 1927, that building became the first Memorial Library in Virginia. Governor Harry F. Byrd formally dedicated the Cape Charles Memorial Library to the 21 men from Northampton County who perished in World War I. [Read more…]
Tuesday Service for Earl Spady, Route 13 Victim
June 9, 2014
A celebration of life service for Earl Wayne Spady, 56, will be held 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, at Cape Charles Baptist Church with Pastor Russell Goodrich officiating. Mr. Spady died May 30 after being hit by a truck while crossing Route 13 on foot.
A resident of Cape Charles and a native of Northampton County, he was the son of the late William Howard Spady, Sr., and the late Margaret S. Brady Spady. He is survived by a brother, William Howard Spady, Jr., and his wife, Rosemary, of Miamisburg, OH, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Danny Kaye Spady. He was a member of Cape Charles Baptist Church. [Read more…]
THURSDAY 6/12: Town Budget Public Hearing
A public hearing on the Town of Cape Charles FY 2015 proposed budget and utility rates will be 6 p.m. Thursday, June 12, at Town Hall. CLICK to view agenda and proposed budget.
Virginia Eastern Shorekeeper Creates Legal Action Fund
Virginia Eastern Shorekeeper is creating a Legal Action Fund as part of an effort to expand capabilities on the Eastern Shore. This will enable supporters to earmark donations for legal research and litigation. [Read more…]
