AUCTION RESULTS: Occhifinto Opts for Oyster
Aqua Restaurant and Marina owner Robert Occhifinto makes another winning bid. (Wave photo)
By GEORGE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave
August 20, 2013
Northampton County’s newest land baron Robert Occhifinto bought three out of five County properties offered at a bankruptcy auction yesterday at Aqua Restaurant. The properties are in or on the road to Oyster, about seven miles northeast of Cape Charles. Occhifinto dabbled in bidding for other properties, but never seriously.
Two Bay Creek houses, including one built by developer Dickie Foster, were the big-block items. Foster’s former house, known as Heron Pointe, crossed the auction block at an even $1 million. Its tax assessment is closer to $3 million.
All the auction properties belong to the Madonia family, whose tomato growing business on the Eastern Shore and Florida is in receivership.
Another Madonia house in Bay Creek, “Magnolia Plantation,” did almost as well, despite its tax assessment being over a million dollars less than the Heron Pointe property. Magnolia Plantation sold for $950,000.
Perhaps the premier home in Bay Creek, built by Dickie Foster and later sold to Batista Madonia, Jr., #2 Heron Court sold for little more than one third its tax value. (Wave photo)
Two properties in Chincoteague and one in Painter were also part of the auction. A Chincoteague house sold for $257,000, and a .14-acre waterfront lot brought $47,000. The Painter house was the lowest bid of the day at $41,000.
[Read more…]
Action at the Auction: 3 Minutes of Bay Creek Bidding
CAPE CHARLES WAVE
August 20, 2013
Watch this 3-minute video of auction action yesterday as buyers bid on Heron Pointe, the former home of Bay Creek developer Dickie Foster. (Click bottom right of image for full screen view.)
Saturday’s Craft Beer & Music Festival Is a Shore First
By DONNA BOZZA
August 20, 2013
ESO Arts Center will turn its Belle Haven lawn into a beer garden on Saturday, August 24, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. for a Shore first — the Eastern Shore’s Own Craft Beer & Music Festival.
The oldest arts center on the Eastern Shore is pinning its hope for a successful fundraiser on the ever growing popularity of craft beers. U.S. sales of microbrews hit $12 million in 2012 and are now celebrated with craft beer festivals across the country.
Craft beers are artisan beers, typically brewed in relatively small, independently-owned commercial breweries that employ traditional brewing methods where the emphasize is on flavor and quality, instead of mass production.
There will be over 30 different local and regional microbrews available to sample. Admission includes one sampler wristband which gives each attendee ten 4 ounce pours. Along with a prime variety of craft beers the festival will offer fresh local seafood and lip smacking BBQ as well as other food offerings. [Read more…]
OPEN LETTER:
Old School Cape Charles to Historic District Review Board
August 20, 2013
(EDITOR’S NOTE: The Cape Charles Historic District Review Board meets at 4:30 p.m. today (Tuesday) at Town Hall to further consider an application by developer J. David McCormack to convert the Old School, basketball court, and playground parking lot at Central Park into an apartment building and private parking lot. Town Planner Robert Testerman has recommended that the Historic Board approve the developer’s application, even though it has not been approved by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, and yet-to-be-met conditions have been stipulated by the National Park Service. On the eve of the meeting of the Historic Review Board, the community group Old School Cape Charles has submitted an open letter documenting why the Board should wait until the developer meets conditions required by the relevant state and federal bodies.)
TO THE HISTORIC DISTRICT REVIEW BOARD:
Old School Cape Charles is committed to the common good of our town. One of our town’s most valuable assets is Central Park, which until recently included the Old School, the basketball court, and the playground parking lot.
In order for an historic property to receive tax credits it must adhere to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, (Click to read) including the following:
A property will be used as it was historically or be given a new use that requires minimal change to its distinctive materials, features, spaces, and spatial relationships.
Converting our historic Old School, playground parking, and basketball court into an apartment house and private parking lot is a far cry from creating minimal change to the building and its use.
The historic character of a property will be retained and preserved. The removal of distinctive materials or alteration of features, spaces, and spatial relationships that characterize a property will be avoided.
The developer wants to call the side of the building the front, even though there will be no front door. Not only will the historic character of the building be lost, but the developer hopes to attract vacationers to rent the apartments. Town Council’s giveaway of a park resource thereby becomes competition to vacation and other rental property owners. [Read more…]
Cape Charles Christian School Open House Thursday 8/29
As we begin to think about shaking the sand out of our flip flops or perhaps finishing up that last summer project, the faculty and board of directors at the Cape Charles Christian School are gearing up for another year of innovative, experiential learning for their students. [Read more…]
Town, County Meet Tonight on Route 13 Sewage Plans
By DORIE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave
August 19, 2013
Plans are proceeding to pump sewage from commercial properties on and near Route 13 to the Cape Charles treatment plant, with a joint meeting of Town and County planning commissions set for 7 p.m. tonight at the Northampton County social services building near the Courthouse.
A public hearing is also set for Monday, September 23, to give feedback to Northampton County Board of Supervisors on the idea.
Without waiting for a public hearing, the Board of Supervisors has funded 25 percent of the anticipated cost for sewer infrastructure in this year’s tax rate. The remaining 75 percent would be generated by a Special Tax District for the commercial properties affected.
County Supervisors also signed a contract July 22 with the firm Hurt & Proffitt for engineering services to the Public Service Authority developing the plan.
Town of Cape Charles staff will prepare an analysis to determine the portion of wastewater treatment costs to be allocated to the Special Tax District.
PSA Chairman Bob Panek estimates an added tax of 52 cents per $100 property value for commercial lots in the Special Tax District, which will nearly double their County taxes. They would also pay a monthly sewer bill, with the amount yet to be determined. [Read more…]
Live Auction Today at Aqua for Bay Creek Homes
CAPE CHARLES WAVE
August 19, 2013
The long-awaited date has arrived for the sale of properties owned by the bankrupt Madonia family. Houses and land will be auctioned 3 p.m. today (August 19) at Aqua Restaurant, while 31 farm properties will be auctioned 1 p.m. tomorrow at the Exmore Moose Lodge.
Properties on the block include #2 Heron Pointe in Bay Creek South, formerly owned by Bay Creek developer Dickie Foster, who sold it to Batista and Evelyn Madonia.
Once considered the prime property in Bay Creek, the long-vacant house now suffers from overgrown shrubbery. It was recently assessed by Northampton County at $2,786,300. [Read more…]
Sunday Concert in Park Is Harbor Arts Festival Last Hurrah
Jae Sinnett Trio in Central Park is the final performance in Cape Charles’ amazing two-week Harbor for the Arts Festival.
Sunday, August 18, at 6 p.m. – Jae Sinnett Trio in Central Park (Free). Jae Sinnett’s trio includes pianist Allen Farnham and bassist Terry Burrell. Bring a beach chair and a picnic. Wine and Margaritas available.
