Showdown Tuesday on County Zoning Ordinance

By DORIE SOUTHERN
Cape Charles Wave

May 12, 2014

Opponents of a plan that would drastically reduce Northampton County zoning restrictions are marshaling forces for a showdown with the Board of Supervisors tomorrow (Tuesday). A group called Citizens for Open Government on the Eastern Shore is urging County residents to attend the Supervisors meeting and speak against the proposed changes during public comment time.

The Supervisors meeting is 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, in the County Administration Building Board Room (2nd floor) in Eastville.

The Citizens Group is circulating a fact sheet on consequences of the proposed zoning ordinance, which it says would:

— Eliminate protection of the seaside marshes included in the Chesapeake Bay Protection Act;

— Eliminate Special Use Permits for a large number of land uses, bypassing public hearings and public notice to neighbors;

— Allow prisons, disposal of dredge spoils, large biomass refineries, and heavy manufacturing by right in industrial zones, including on land surrounding incorporated towns;

— Remove the Town Edge designation;

— Dramatically increase density in most zoning districts, including along waterways, apparently using the Virginia Beach waterfront condo model as a “vision”;

— Eliminate odor controls on poultry houses and reduce setbacks for manure storage;

— Eliminate affordable housing options such as single-wide mobile homes;

— Increase the number of waterfront homes allowed on the seaside;

— Allow Planned Unit Developments to be built wherever land is available; and

— Reduce setbacks for shorelines and wetlands. [Read more…]

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COMMENTARY
‘By Right’ Development Means No Right to Say NO

By DONNA BOZZA

May 12, 2014

Usually we don’t pay much attention to the fields by our homes, or down the road, or alongside our town, though most of Northampton County is filled with these pretty vistas.

Now consider this all too real scenario: Gone are the fields. Instead, you see a wastewater treatment plant, a dredge spoil disposal site, or perhaps a prison. This project will have a direct impact on your property values. Did you and your neighbors have any say in its building? How about input in how adverse affects could be lessened to protect your town?

The answer is a startling NO if the Northampton County proposed zoning passes. These, and a long list of land uses including heavy industrial and high impact development, will now be “By Right.” To be blunt, if the developers want to build it, they will have the right to do so.

Citizens, on the other hand, will have no rights, no say, no recourse to shape development that affects what for most of us is our biggest investment — our homes.

Certainly economic development is needed; few dispute that. However, taxpayers who carry most of the burden of funding the county have a right to weigh in on what their community will be like now and in the future.

The proposed zoning virtually eliminates Special Use Permits for a large number of land uses. Most reputable developers respect these permits, considered a smart planning tool by countless locales. Currently if you have concerns about a proposed project — be it migrant labor camp, airfield, or biomass refinery — you can attend a public hearing and provide feedback. The developer can offer proffers to mitigate harm to the community by limiting the size, hours of operation, enact noise and odor controls, increase buffers, etc.

With the proposed zoning, there is no public hearing or public input. It’s a done deal. Even if the BOS believes the project will do more harm than good, if it’s in the zoning their hands are legally tied. [Read more…]

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LETTER
Mayor-Elect: Town Is Heading in Right Direction

May 10, 2014

DEAR EDITOR,

Tuesday’s election drew more than 400 voters to the polls, a large turnout which spoke of its importance to the people of Cape Charles and their commitment to our town and the democratic process. I want to thank all the voters who came out and participated.

To those who voted for me, I wish to express my appreciation for your support and confidence in my ability to lead our town. To those who did not vote for me, I recognize that you have legitimate concerns, some of which are shared by those who supported me, and I’ll do my best to listen to you as to everyone.

To me, this election says that the majority of the people feel the town is headed in the right direction. At the same time there are a number of matters which need to be examined in an open and constructive matter — from our local economy and fiscal responsibility, to community needs, to our long term future. I will work for compromise to find the best solutions for the town as a whole and to develop teamwork.

Perhaps more importantly, many of those who did not support me have come forward and expressed a strong willingness to work together in a spirit of cooperation. These expressions are encouraging and speak well for the future of our town.

This town has a great deal of talent. Together I am confident that we can help Cape Charles maintain its small town charm while continuing to grow for the benefit of all the citizens.

I look forward to helping to do this.

GEORGE PROTO
Cape Charles

Letters to the Editor are welcome, and a diversity of opinions is encouraged. Send submissions to [email protected].

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WEEKEND: Not Just Another Cape Charles Sunset

sunset

WEEKEND: NOT JUST ANOTHER CAPE CHARLES SUNSET

(May 10, 2014 edition) Just when we had had our fill of sunset photos in the Wave, we received this email from Christine Williams: “Dear Sir: I don’t know if you want this or not, but my husband took this photo last evening. Pretty good for an amateur!” Pretty good indeed — good enough to break our sunset embargo. The photo credit goes to Gary Williams, and judging by the tree, this was shot on Bay Creek property close to Bayshore Concrete.

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SATURDAY 5/10: Toy Sale Fundraiser for Coalition Against Domestic Violence

The Coalition Against Domestic Violence needs funding badly. Please support the Eastville Town Yard Sale-Toy Sale Fundraiser at The Gallery at Eastville, Courthouse Road, starting 9 a.m. Saturday, May 10. [Read more…]

SATURDAY 5/10: Dan Flynn Returns to the Clam Shack

Dan Flynn will be playing at the Great Machipongo Clam Shack in Nassawadox 7 – 9 p.m. Saturday, May 10. [Read more…]

FRIDAY 5/16: Photo Essay of Modern North Vietnam at ESCC

Science and Philosophy Seminar of the Eastern Shore of Virginia presents “Photo Essay of Modern North Vietnam,” a free 90-minute seminar, 12:30 p.m. Friday, May 16, in the Eastern Shore Community College Lecture Hall, 29300 Lankford Hwy., Melfa.

[Read more…]