WAYNE CREED Takes on the Historic Review Board

EDITOR’S NOTE: Last week dauntless social critic Wayne Creed attended a meeting of the Cape Charles Historic District Review Board. His report and rant appear below. 

By WAYNE CREED
Cape Charles Wave

February 2, 2015

The Historic District Review Board met January 29 to consider requested modifications to the Board’s earlier approval of plans for a new home at 404 Jefferson Avenue. Owner Gregory Manuel requested permission to add a second-story covered porch on the front of the house, a dormer on the west side, sliding glass doors to access the porch, and additional stairwell windows front and back.

Chairman Joe Fehrer called the session to order at 6 p.m.; however the applicant called to say that he was delayed due to an automobile accident. In the meantime, Mr. Fehrer observed that a large dormer had already been built, and framing for the porch and sliding glass doors had also been started. Those features had never been approved by the Board, which Fehrer said was “disappointing to me.”

Moments later the applicant rushed in, out of breath. Assistant Town Clerk Amanda Hurley, who was taking notes,  stopped the meeting to bring him a glass of water. Fehrer then asked him, “Why would you build a dormer outside the scope of the original approval?”

“I don’t mean to overstep my bounds,” responded Manuel. “[Code Official Jeb Brady] said to stop. We did stop when Jeb asked. I will not make a habit of it.”

Fehrer noted that dormers had been approved by the Board in other instances, yet he was skeptical in this case. “They must meet historic guidelines,” he emphasized. Jeb Brady quickly added that there are several examples of dormers throughout the town.

Relative to the second-story covered porch, Fehrer pressed the applicant to explain the necessity of the new design. Manuel stated that he wanted to provide water views, and that “It is a small house. We wanted to increase the space.”

This is the first house in town to incorporate sliding glass doors on the front (façade) of the house, prompting Fehrer to respond that they did not appear to fit in with the historic character of the town. “They are not appropriate for the Historic District. I’m loath to make an approval that will set a precedent,” he said.

Manuel then asked Code Official Brady, “There are examples of this?” He then offered the Board some alternatives that they might find more palatable, everything from adding muttons to changing the design to incorporate French doors. Punctuating the exchange, Manuel’s cell phone rang and rang, as it would several more times during the meeting.

Chairman Fehrer held that he preferred one door and one window rather than sliding or double French doors, because “it would keep it in more of the character of the town.” Manuel retorted, “Have you seen the other houses next to it? Have you seen them?” [See above photo.] [Read more…]

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LETTER: Basketball Not Just About Throwing a Ball

February 2, 2015

DEAR EDITOR,

A few years ago we discovered the gem that is Cape Charles and purchased a house on the north side of Peach Street.  One of the selling features for me was the proximity to the park and basketball court.  Although my basketball-playing days are drawing to a close I enjoyed ambling over to the court in the early evening to observe the games, offering tips to the younger players and engaging in playful banter with those closer to my age.

I was quite surprised when I learned the rims and backboard had been removed without notice and there was no replacement location identified for the court.  Where will the community youth be able to play basketball? I wondered.  After a few moments of reflection, I realized that the importance of the basketball court was expanded beyond simply a recreational location.  The basketball court is a place where participants can learn life-skills. [Read more…]

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Dramatic Comeback for Shore’s American Legion Post

By WAYNE CREED
Cape Charles Wave

February 2, 2015

Viewing Gordon Campbell’s aerial photographs of the barrier islands, you become aware of the chaotic and fractal geomorphic patterns that define them. As you descend closer, and ultimately land, some of this chaos gives way to patterns of complexity. The randomness of nature is somewhat mediated by the actions of the people that inhabit the peninsula that those islands protect.

When I think of those actions, nothing stands out more than the work being done by American Legion Post 56 in Cheriton. Post 56 was originally chartered back in 1922 to serve Eastern Shore veterans. With WWII and the Korean War, more veterans  joined the ranks until the late 1950s, when a fire destroyed the Cape Charles meeting hall. Left homeless, the Post struggled to maintain membership.

An odd bit of luck occurred when, in an attempt to find a new home and rebuild membership, the Post bought an old car dealership building in Cape Charles. The new building did little to alleviate the membership issues, but after selling it, the Post was able to maximize profits, add to existing assets, and put over $300,000 in the bank.

With active membership stalled at 76, Walter Dellanbach, Jim Chapman, and Joe Vaccaro assumed the task of finding Post 56 a new home. In what appeared to be another serendipitous event, the search party located an old grocery store in Cheriton. It was apparent to all that this was the perfect location. Although the store was still filled with the original contents, by donating to the local food bank, the SPCA, and directly to local residents, Vaccaro and team had it emptied out in eight days. The building also served as a training exercise for what has become Post 56’s most important work: community outreach, support and charity. [Read more…]

Revised FEMA Flood Insurance Maps Take Effect May 18

CAPE CHARLES WAVE

February 2, 2015

The long-awaited updated FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps become effective May 18, with a promise for lower flood insurance rates for Cape Charles. The process requires the town adopt an updated Flood Plain Ordinance stipulated by FEMA.

Cape Charles is eligible to participate in the Community Rating System, which provides flood insurance premium discounts to policyholders in areas that enact a more restrictive flood plain management program than otherwise required. New town requirements have been drafted, approved by the Planning Commission, and will be approved by Town Council February 3 following a required public hearing. CLICK to view the 28-page draft ordinance.

Offshore Drilling Puts Fragile Virginia Coast at Risk

CAPE CHARLES WAVE

February 2, 2015

The Obama administration has announced plans to allow oil wells to be drilled off the coast of Virginia and several other southeastern states, with Virginia’s coastline placed at particular risk. Virginia Eastern Shorekeeper Jay Ford expressed “extreme disappointment” with the decision — “Potential spills would have devastating consequences for one of the most unique habitats on our planet. Our aquaculture industry, fisheries, tourism, and culture would all be put at risk,” he said.

Veteran journalist Peter Galuszka, writing in Bacon’s Rebellion, provides the following commentary:

Almost five years after the infamous Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, President Barack Obama has again proposed opening tracts offshore of Virginia and the southeastern U.S. coast to oil and natural gas drilling.

The plan poses big risks for what may be little gain. Federal surveys show there could be 3.3 billion barrels of crude oil and 31.3 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in the potential lease area stretching from Virginia to Georgia.

Energy industry officials praised the plan while complaining it doesn’t go far enough. Environmental groups including the Sierra Club and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation condemned it. Besides the ecological risk, the move is a step away from refocusing energy on renewables that do not lead to more carbon emissions and climate change. [Read more…]