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JCC Retail Proposal Before Plan Comm. Without Staff OK

By Desiree Parker Wednesday, June 02, 2010

James City County planning commissioners are set to discuss a special use permit Wednesday for Courthouse Commons, a shopping center that would go up right across from bankrupt Settler’s Market on Monticello Avenue. County planning staff recommends denial of the application based on the traffic impact on the area.

The development is slated to have a bank, a drug store, a restaurant and some retail areas along with a local favorite, the Fresh Market, which plans to move to the new development if it’s built.

The developer for Courthouse Commons submitted a traffic impact study that suggested the new development would deteriorate traffic conditions in the already-busy area, even with traffic signal improvements already planned, according to staff. There may not be enough funding for those already-planned improvements, called the West Monticello Plan, according to planners.

“Staff considers traffic impacts as the primary issue for this proposal, and therefore cannot support approval of this application at this time,” according to the lengthy report on the application.

Other business
Planning commissioners will also discuss some changes to the county’s development review process Wednesday, aimed at retaining and attracting businesses to the area. Changes include new plan review timelines, Development Review Committee modifications and clarifications, and an addition of an enhanced conceptual plan process.

Details on these proposed changes can be found in the staff report attachment here. Commissioners will meet Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Building F at the County Government Complex on Mounts Bay Road.

Comments  

 
0 #13 Guest 2010-06-07 20:48
Quoting my opinion:
when you own it, you CANNOT decide what to do with it. It's not that simple. You have to pass traffic studies, environmental impact studies, building permits, county codes, on and on. That's why we have county supervision, so people like you don't buy a piece of land and do whatever pops in your head, like open a porn shop or a pole dancing club in the middle of a residential area.

Before you buy it, KNOW what you're buying into. It is speculation just like the stock market. Don't force your store front(s) down my throat by re-zoning (money in councils pocket). If you buy property that is not in a "commercial" area, DEAL with it when the PEOPLE don't want it.....
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+1 #12 Guest 2010-06-03 10:28
Or I could plant a garden. Or I could build a playground. Or I could leave it natural. Sometimes those kind of things pop in my head. If I own it, I should be able to decide without unsolicited input.
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+2 #11 Guest 2010-06-03 08:48
when you own it, you CANNOT decide what to do with it. It's not that simple. You have to pass traffic studies, environmental impact studies, building permits, county codes, on and on. That's why we have county supervision, so people like you don't buy a piece of land and do whatever pops in your head, like open a porn shop or a pole dancing club in the middle of a residential area.
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+1 #10 Guest 2010-06-02 18:20
The point is, when you own it you can decide what to do with it. If you don't own it, who are you to tell the owner anything. If you don't like the plan, buy it and save us from having to listen to your whining!
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-4 #9 Guest 2010-06-02 14:13
More developments, fewer gated communities!!!
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-1 #8 Guest 2010-06-02 13:54
who are you who are we to complain? What you're rambling on about is what every other reader is applauding, yet you, who are we, are the only one who doesn't get it. You're telling everyone to do exactly what was done by JCC, people we put in position to make these decisions. Who are we to be given what we want and then complain?
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-1 #7 Guest 2010-06-02 10:22
Who are we/you to say we don't need another shopping center? Did we/you write the business plan? Is it your money you are putting at risk? Who are you to judge? If you don't like what is planned, I'm sure the owner will be happy to negotiate to sell you the parcel. Then you can do what you want with it until someone complains about what you want to do.
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+4 #6 Guest 2010-06-02 08:48
FINALLY! Seems that traffic is the determining factor -- not existing empty space. Seems like the lack of $ in the road building budget is really the limiting factor. In that case, hooray for a tight road budget.

Perhaps the development folks could work to fill up existing empty and soon-to-be empty spaces. Repurpose existing space!!
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+6 #5 Guest 2010-06-02 08:39
It should be noted that Newtown was approved in 1998, the amount of retail was clearly stated in the plan. it was questioned by some, not many showed up against the project. Many supported it because they felt we needed more retail. There were 6 lanes of traffic and 17 traffic lights proposed in the original proposal. It should be noted that not a single Planning Commission Member or Board of Supervisor member serving today had anything to do with the approval of Newtown.
I still wonder where the complainers today were then? Could it be they didn't even live here yet? Or were they just complacent?

There is too much planned for Newtown, I opposed it then and still do today, all of it. But, it's here. It was approved through a democratic process, by a board consisting of a majority of democrats to boot! I suggest you know or learn the history of the project, and it's future growth design,
before spouting off.
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+8 #4 Guest 2010-06-02 08:11
I agree with the two commenters - we don't need it!

Maybe this is a little too "can't we all just be friends??" but I don't understand why agreements couldn't be reached to put the bank, drug store, and Fresh Market into the empty and undeveloped spots in Settler's Market and New Town. But also, what bank could possibly be going in?? We have about a million between New Town and the old Ukrop's shopping center. Also, I don't know how the drugstore thinks it will be able to compete with Target and Rite Aid just down the street and CVS and Walgreens just up Monticello at Richmond Rd. We really just don't need it!

If the JCC Planning Commissioners want to attract businesses to come and stay, let's put the focus on businesses that aren't just retail - there are too many failing attempts at that.
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