Planning Commission Enters Park Bathroom Controversy
CAPE CHARLES WAVE
January 9, 2013
Cape Charles Planning Commission will discuss layout and site plans for the proposed Central Park bathrooms 6 p.m. today (Wednesday) at Town Hall. Public comments will be heard.
Town Planner Tom Bonadeo acknowledged to the Wave that the Planning Commission normally does not review plans for “by-right” structures. A bathroom is a by-right structure in the park.
The town’s Historic District Review Board approved the bathroom design last month, and construction was underway when a resident objected to the design and siting of the building.
Construction was halted pending an appeal to be heard by Town Council Thursday, January 10.
The appeal cites Historic District guidelines requiring new construction to “relate to the design character of the historic buildings in the area.”
The bathroom was designed to be similar in size, shape and materials to the c. 1980s park sewer pump station.
Bonadeo has urged the Planning Commission to recommend that the group known as Citizens for Central Park be permitted to construct the bathrooms as sited and designed.
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OTHER PLANNING COMMISSION BUSINESS: The Commission continues to review housing density in the Harbor District.
Asked if there are any plans to develop Harbor District property — specifically the former Tavi property — Bonadeo said he had heard “lots of ideas,” but that he was not aware of any development plans for that property, now owned by Landmark Holdings, an Israeli company.
The only current development in the Harbor District is South Port Yacht Center, where wetlands mitigation and construction at the former town waste water treatment plant have begun.
The Planning Commission will also continue to review the town sign ordinance.
The complete information packet for the meeting may be read at http://www.capecharles.org/documents/20130109PCAgendaPacket.pdf.
My first thought is, such a small town, why is a bathroom needed at the park?
The Cape Charles Central Park has gone through a huge transformation in the past 3-4 years and become the public park that it was originally designed to be when the Town was founded. As a result, it is attracting an increasing number of events and functions, as well as more active use of the children’s playground. More families are coming to spend the day in the Park, and the only public bathrooms currently available are Porto-Potties. The new bathroom facilities will provide a safer and healthier response to public needs.
I just hope all these events and functions don’t bother the new Condo owners adjacent to the park, and demand they not be held there anymore.
Kind of yet another reason that a Municipal Complex/Community center WAS a good idea for the School building.
I wonder how many people will end up feeling that a community center in the historic school really is still a good idea, now that so much has come to light about the handling of this whole situation? The good news is that it is not over yet. Old School Cape Charles still has two court cases pending. There is still hope!