Comments on: TOWN COUNCIL: Historic District Board Resigns After Being Overruled

By: Bruce Wayne Jones

Bruce Wayne Jones — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 14:37:13 +0000

You no longer have a historic district, the Town Council has now opened the door for others to do what Mr Gammino did, apologize for his “mistake” but still get away with what he wanted. Shame on him for what he did, but more shame on your Town Council for not backing the board that is supposed to protect your historic designation.

By: Roger L. Munz

Roger L. Munz — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 13:10:49 +0000

This is a dificult issue. Right, wrong any way you look at it. The Town Board did what it had to do, and the members of the Historic Review Board did what they had to do. My greatest concern is for the longterm effect this decision will have on the Town. Do we have a historic town or not? If we don’t hold to the historic guidelines, and allow them to be ignored, then perhaps we should give up the historic designation. This action by the Town Council has set a precedent, one that will be in other investors’ minds as they develop their properties in town, and may ultimately have a considerable influence on the Town’s future streetscape. Many of the Town residents moved to Cape Charles because of its historic nature, and we wonder what the future may now hold for our Town.

By: Ron Wrucke

Ron Wrucke — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 01:20:30 +0000

D. Bender said, “Out of control Mayor . . . out of control Council . . . out of control Managers . . . where will this all end?”

Have you read the comments re: The Wave article about the Council’s approval of the hotel, and the granting of the Certificate of Occupancy? Pretty positive comments. What is the Town supposed to do — cut off its nose to spite its face? Thanks for the fresh air of common sense! If you walk down Mason Avenue, any resident of Cape Charles should say “thanks” for an active storefront, and a special thanks for an active storefront that looks like the subject hotel.

By: Deborah Bender

Deborah Bender — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 21:44:19 +0000

I was at the first meeting when Mr. Gammino presented his case to the Historic Review board. Mr. Gammino said he felt like the building was beautiful and he didn’t want to change it. The Review Board held their ground that changes had to be made. Tom Bonadeo let Mr. Gammino know that if he couldn’t come to terms with the Review Board he could appeal it to the Town Council. I KNEW then that it was only a matter of time before the Town would overturn the Review Board’s decision.

I am glad the Review Board held to their position and that they resigned.

Problem is that the Town Council will hand pick the next people for the Review Board and it WILL be people that will do what the Council wants.

Out of control Mayor…out of control Council…out of control Managers….where will this all end ?

By: Geneva Smith

Geneva Smith — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:57:44 +0000

I must say, Mr. Lohse is correct. I’d like to add that I’m proud of the people who resigned and sad for the town.

By: Greg Lohse

Greg Lohse — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 13:56:57 +0000

As a former member of the Historic District Review Board, I would like to voice my support for those members who recently resigned after being overruled by the town council. Mr Gammino received approval for a specific design, and then chose the “it’s better to beg forgiveness than to ask permission” approach to build something else. Where were the building inspectors when this porch was being constructed? This should have been nipped in the bud and sorted out right away.

I am aware of the hotel’s economic value to the town, and do not personally find its appearance objectionable. I have also stayed there and had a lovely time. However, I object strongly to the manner in which this project ultimately gained approval. I find it an insult to the HDRB and a disgrace to the Town Council. If I were still on the HDRB my resignation would now be on the mayor’s desk.

Greg Lohse
Yorktown, VA