Comments on: COMMENTARY: Promote Economic Development — Not Rezoning

By: Donna Bozza

Donna Bozza — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 20:10:14 +0000

Colin, I appreciate your point. I’m not saying the current zoning is perfect. Tweaking it rather than gutting was the way to go. But the current zoning does enable smart growth around our towns where there already is infrastructure — it doesn’t push suburban sprawl and the costs associated with it. This proposed zoning puts heavy density 60-ft. lots(?) on top of the water in a fragile environment — an environment by the way which currently provides us economic benefits with a 50 million dollar clamming industry and a growing tourism industry.

What is most distressing is it allows for NO public input on rezoning. No special use permits means property owners have no say on what could adversely affect their property values. Most of us have one investment in our lives and that is our homes. We have the right to protect that investment. Also know that Special Permits allow us to “barter” with developers to take potential adverse effects out of the equation or at least mitigate them. Just giving Big Brother Government all the power to decide what our homeland looks like now and in 20 years is not something I can advocate. Hope to see you soon. Take care.

By: Colin Cowling

Colin Cowling — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 18:26:45 +0000

Donna, when you have the time and you are headed toward Annapolis take MD 213 north from US 50 to Chestertown and take a look at cluster developement done right. Our big lot subdivisions have been taking hundreds of acres of farm land out of production to get very few homes. We can and need to do better.

By: Wayne Creed

Wayne Creed — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 18:09:52 +0000

OSCC has no control over lower taxes or water bills. We are an organization dedicated to strengthening the economic and cultural vitality of its diverse community through the renewal of the Historic School and campus. We view the old school as the heart of our diverse community, with hopes that it will someday be a gathering place for education, recreation, cultural, and community activities that would enhance the quality of life for Cape Charles residents, residents of the Eastern Shore, and visitors. As far as taxes and water bills go, the only thing we can do is pay them.

By: Kathy Bonadeo

Kathy Bonadeo — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 12:40:33 +0000

How does the OSCC group propose to lower taxes and water bills?

By: Kearn Schemm

Kearn Schemm — Sun, 13 Apr 2014 20:36:48 +0000

I agree with and support Gay, Bender, Mitchell and Wendell. Vote the old crew out: save taxes and water bills!

By: David Gay

David Gay — Sun, 13 Apr 2014 16:38:27 +0000

Northampton County and the Town of Cape Charles have NO plan to lower taxes. In fact they will only increase with the current folks in power. If you have had enough of never-ending tax increases you can vote them out of office. I am running for Cape Charles Town Council and my goal is to lower taxes and fees, make government more efficient. Vote Gay in May.

By: Donna Bozza

Donna Bozza — Fri, 11 Apr 2014 17:09:00 +0000

Can’t agree with you on this one Colin. Increasing density by 400 – 4000% will not help us but instead will increase services needed which means higher taxes to meet the needs.
Just like residents in towns where the density is high those folks need to have services. All our towns struggle to generate the revenue to provide those services and 9 times out of 10 need to raise taxes as service costs continue to climb. What is different about putting all this intense residential on farmland– its not a town but all us county residents who will pay for this.

I respect your right to your opinion as I know you do for me. However, the county doesn’t afford us that same right. In 26 years on the Shore I have never seen a zoning process that has so totally shut down public input. Its a disgrace.

By: Colin Cowling

Colin Cowling — Fri, 11 Apr 2014 13:31:23 +0000

We already have a “business plan.” Its the most sucessful one ever devised by man. It’s called the Free Enterprize System. Doing a better job of practicing it is what the proposed zoning changes are all about.

By: RH Meyers

RH Meyers — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 01:51:56 +0000

So far there has been no evidence of any work on an economic development plan by the person who was hired to do this for over $134,000 a year of our taxes. Probably the reason such paid for plan has not been forthcoming is that the person filling the job of Director of Economic Development has a background of commercial real estate development! That should provide a clue as to the focus on the proposed zoning.

By: Tom Morris

Tom Morris — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 20:50:04 +0000

Take a trip to Southern Delaware to see how robust their development is, but be careful what you wish for. It is based, in large part, on relocating retirees and tourism, fueled by low taxes (without sales tax) and halfway rational regulatory burdens! Until Virginia’s regressive taxes such as the personal property tax are eliminated, retirees will choose Delaware over VA, by a wide margin. In spite of climate and topographical similarities and disregarding the much heavier population density of DE, Virginia is going to lose out in the race to attract well-healed retirees.

As with most prosperous areas, good paying jobs are a big part of a winning formula. Until we embrace this notion and factor it into a comprehensive economic development plan, we will suffer continued population declines and stagnant income growth.