Comments on: PLANNING COMMISSION: Outlet Mall, Holiday Inn on Route 13?

By: Deborah Bender

Deborah Bender — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 13:26:02 +0000

Many years ago that cute little building coming into town was a gas station/convenience store. Much later it was a beautiful gift shop. But then the owner raised the rent sky high, and the woman with the gift shop closed up for good. Now the people that own it will sell it but the price is pretty high last time I heard Most of the buildings in town that are for rent are way too high. I was very lucky when I had my shop — the rent was super low and the landlords were great people.

By: Debra Rief

Debra Rief — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 11:53:17 +0000

I moved here 5 or so months ago from the midwest and these are just my thoughts: It seems odd that you turn off the main road to go downtown; I didn’t feel like it was well pointed out. And there’s not really a connection between the beach and town. Maybe if you put a big walkway (on the south maybe) from one to the other and added a few small shops on the south side of the road it would bring it together. And put more signs for the stores. Just a thought. Oh, and big signs on Route 13 about the beach. And that cute little brick building coming into town would be a great tourist start. I wanted to go to the beach but had to be told where it was and had to look for the stores.

You can go to a mall anywhere, but you don’t get the cool mom and pop stores of the beach. Just saying.

By: Beth Ann Sabo

Beth Ann Sabo — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 18:54:55 +0000

think “inclusive” not “exclusive”

By: Debbie Suddeth

Debbie Suddeth — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 17:26:51 +0000

I say the town should focus on purchasing the rundown buildings from these out of town investors that refuse to do anything with them. Then repair these buildings so local businesses can set up shop and offer additional commodities that we need. Kill two birds with one stone — beautify our town and offer additional goods and services at the same time. As nice as we think our town is, these rundown buildings are an eyesore and take a lot away from the town. These buildings need to be a priority. With new stores in beautifully restored buildings we can sell our own stinking underwear!

By: Mike Kuzma, Jr

Mike Kuzma, Jr — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 16:58:48 +0000

Mr. Williams, rental rates are impacted by availability and scarcity.
As long as CC keeps putting municipal offices along Mason avenue, the rents will not stabilize. Demand is greater than supply.
That bank building? Several I’ve seen turned into restaurants, shops etc…
The Fire house and Town Hall? More that could be developed into commercial space, thereby denecessitating the Rt. 13 development. All we’d need is a billboard announcing a complete Mason Avenue shopping district.
Of course, the most appropriate building to accept the Town Hall, Library and Fire Dept. administrative offices — Old School Cape Charles — is no longer avaialble for use.
As for the comment by Ms. Hadden, she is correct. Use it or lose it. I’d say the “land-banking” aspect of forestalling their development has come and gone, so let’s get them up and running.
As for the impact that highway development can have on an off-highway town, simply drive up to Accomac and look in the parking lots on 13. Almost all the plates are out of state, on their way through.
Cape Charles must be made a Destination, not a “neat idea” for an hour’s shopping and lunch.

Just my two cents.

By: Robin Brownley

Robin Brownley — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 16:31:39 +0000

I think Cape Charles is a wonderful town for what it is. But what about a local grocery store. Food Lion is our only choice, which should not be. No food except snack or quick meals, no ” real ” clothing other than beachwear or souvenir type. All of these these things boaters have to go out of town for plus locals have no reason to come in for.

By: Roger L. Munz

Roger L. Munz — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 15:03:50 +0000

Follow the money! First the Town builds a Cadillac wastewater plant saddling Town residents with $5,000,000 of debt that requires a $216 per year increase in our water and sewer bills, and this week we get a tax hike. Now the Public Service Authority wants to use tax money to pay to run a line out to Route 13 businesses. Are we that stupid? THE USERS SHOULD PAY, OR DON’T HOOK UP!

People of Cape Charles, wake up, get your heads out of the sand. Enough is enough! Demand that Town Council stop foolishly waisting your tax dollars. They should read the Town of Cape Charles laws and Comprehensive Plan, and if they can’t govern the Town utilizing those documents, then they should resign or wait and be replaced at the next election.

I urge Town residents to find a slate of people whose primary directive is to TRIM THE FAT in Town government, beginning with a 15-20% cut. Sadly I cannot be a candidate, for health reasons, but you can. So get involved! WE MUST STOP THIS $$ STEAMROLLER NOW OR SUFFER WITH MUCH HIGHER TOWN LIVING COSTS IN THE FUTURE.

It would seem the trend of ALL government entities is to expand and grow, at the taxpayers’ expense. We who live in Cape Charles must reverse this trend, NOW.

By: Gary Williams

Gary Williams — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 14:13:53 +0000

I relocated to Cape Charles (Bay Creek) in January and absolutely love the area. Cape Charles, in my opinion, is a diamond in the rough. I am planning on opening a Custom Engraving & Glass Etching business in town later this summer. However, one of my biggest concerns is not having enough customers to support my business. I agree with Mr. Panek that more commercial development is needed on Route 13. Businesses need customers in order to thrive. Yes, some businesses may be hurt by this but many more will reap the economic benefits of increased business. If all we only want to maintain the status quo of being a sleepy little village, then prevent new business growth. However, if we want to increase business growth, both in town and on Route 13, we need to encourage commercial development. This will increase tax revenue for the Town and the County without having to raise individual taxes and will allow Cape Charles to make the improvements indicated in the Town’s Master Plan. We need a plan that will attract commercial growth to our area and give people more reasons to visit Cape Charles and the surrounding communities. It’s time for economic growth.

By: Stefanie Hadden

Stefanie Hadden — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 14:10:39 +0000

Cape Charles should insist on utilizing empty, architecturally important and charming buildings instead of letting those who own them let them rot. Witness the fabulous Storybook style cottage out near Stone Road — been for sale forever, owners getting away with windows being busted out, etc. Soon it will crumble, while the property owners wait and wait for their price. A shame! Same for the abandoned fish packing building across the street — now THAT would make a fabulous antique mall with a tiny artisanal bakery/coffee shop. . . . The wild success of Brown Dog Ice Cream proves that there is a market for high end goods in Cape Charles. I have inquired numerous times about rents to open a small shop but cannot afford even the smallest space. The gaping maw that is Meatland needs to be dealt with! Enough coddling of whoever owns that land. (I understand they also own the OTHER gaping maw right on Mason!) It is a scar upon our town, smacks you in the face first thing as you drive in. There are zillions of tiny, isolated towns that are packed with great cafes, fabulous shops, artists and craftspeople creating wonderful handmade goods, and Cape Charles just can’t figure out how to attract and keep those innovative kinds of places. Just because a business has been here a long time doesn’t mean that it doesn’t need to roll with the times, update and innovate. Generic development out on 13 (to a point) will not threaten a robust community of businesses as long as those businesses have something unique and special to offer.

By: Deborah Bender

Deborah Bender — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:35:33 +0000

Having lived in Onancock at the point that Four Corner Plaza expanded in size I can tell you first hand what will happen if we encourage business on the highway. It will KILL CAPE CHARLES BUSINESSES!

Sure we need more businesses in town, but it is very hard for a small business to survive in the winter. It is sad to say but a lot of locals do not shop local. Most of the people that live here go across the bay because everything is sold at a much lower price.

When I opened my store I bought everything locally that I could; however, most people go after better prices. I could afford to shop local, but most people want to open a business with the least amount of overhead.

No Mr. Panek — we do not need to go to the highway with the “pipe”!

Keep Cape Charles the sleepy little town that the tourists come here looking for. Encouraging highway businesses will surely hurt our town in the long run.