EXTRA
Supervisors Hear Intense Opposition to Rezoning

Some of the 150 zoning opponents who rallied at the old courthouse prior to a meeting of the Northampton County Board of Supervisors. (Wave photo)

Some of the 150 zoning opponents who rallied at the old courthouse prior to a Northampton County Board of Supervisors meeting December 9. (Wave photo)

By DORIE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave

December 11, 2014

Some 150 Northampton County residents rallied December 9 against plans for a sweeping rezoning that opponents say could change the Eastern Shore way of life. The crowd than attended a Board of Supervisors meeting where it was standing room only in the usually nearly vacant meeting room.

In the face of intense opposition to the zoning proposals developed by county staff, the Supervisors voted to take up to six more months to decide what to do. During public comment time, almost all of the 19 speakers asked the Supervisors to just withdraw the proposal instead of extending the deadline. But only Supervisor Granville Hogg voted against the deadline extension.

Public speakers called for the Supervisors to request input from county residents as well as research studies on what proposed changes might mean to the economy.

Virginia Shorekeeper Jay Ford, one of the rally organizers, said that more than 500 people had signed a memo calling on Supervisors to completely withdraw the rezoning applications. The zoning applications were filed in the name of all county residents, but in fact were drawn up by county staff without consultation with the public.

Cape Charles Mayor George Proto was among speakers calling for the Supervisors to withdraw the zoning proposals. Proto said he was speaking for himself and not for the Town of Cape Charles. The proposed changes are inconsistent with the county’s Comprehensive Plan and the desires of a large portion of the county’s citizens, Proto charged, calling for public input and verifiable data to address issues of concern.

Cape Charles Business Association President Andrew Follmer said that his Board of Directors, representing 60 members comprised mainly of small businesses, had voted unanimously to request the Supervisors to completely withdraw the zoning code applications. “We further request a new process be launched to update the county zoning code in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan and based on relevant data,” Follmer said.

Exmore Mayor Douglas Greer also voiced his opposition. “You don’t have a good reputation when it comes to getting the Shore where it needs to be,” he told the Supervisors. “You have a good chance to turn this county around. . . . You need to listen to the people of the Eastern Shore. . . . Open your minds and don’t ignore the people here. Think before you act. That’s all I ask,” he said. [Read more…]

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VIDEO: WAVY-10 Covers Rally Against Rezoning

December 10, 2014

Last night’s anti-rezoning rally outside the old Eastville courthouse is getting major news coverage. WAVY-10 was there and broadcast the feature below (click arrow to view) at 11 p.m. last night and again today. Shore Radio also has a report (CLICK to read). Ron West from the Eastern Shore Post was there, as well as  Eastern Shore News photographer Jay Diem — not to mention the Cape Charles Wave, which emerged from semi-hibernation to cover the event.