JCC Supes Have Packed Agenda; Courthouse Commons Plan, Stormwater Referendum On It

By Desiree Parker Saturday, June 19, 2010

James City County supervisors have some sensitive issues on their board plate Tuesday evening. Among them: a public hearing on Courthouse Commons that has already stirred up contention and isn’t supported by staff or the planning commission; discussions on a proposed $30 million stormwater referendum for this fall; and a decision on whether the county will continue to pick up some retirement contributions for employees.

At their meeting earlier this month, the planning commission voted to deny the application for Courthouse Commons, a proposed development across from Settler’s Market on Monticello Avenue that would be home to Fresh Market, some other retail and office space, and possibly a drive-thru drug store.

Planning Commissioner Chris Henderson recused himself from the vote due to some unspecified financial ties to the project. Henderson resigned from the commission a few days after the meeting, citing a need to focus on his business interests in a tough economy. He did not respond to a citizen’s allegations that he was one of the developers behind the project, a group whose names have not yet been revealed.

Staff didn’t support the plan due to traffic already worse than previous projections along the Monticello corridor (even without the new development as a consideration).

The four planning commissioners who voted against the plan generally agreed they would feel differently if the square footage were reduced, if the applicant agreed to contribute more funding to a planned road improvement which the county is already over $1 million short on, and if the applicant agreed to certain restrictions on permitted uses.

Since hearing the planning commission’s thoughts, the applicant has revised the plan to reduce the square footage from 83,000 to 67,000 square feet, which will help lower traffic impact and will also mean the applicant will no longer need to ask for setback reductions.

The applicant also added more parking spaces, reduced the size of one building, and changed a pedestrian area. The applicant has agreed to a list of limitation on uses, and agreed to alter traffic proffers to be based on Virginia Department of Transportation cost estimates for the improvements in the area.

Staff is sticking with its original opinion not to recommend the project, saying in a report, “given… the fact that significant additional square footage has already been approved on this corridor but not yet built and the uncertainty of whether improvements may be warranted in order to achieve acceptable levels of service in the future, staff does not recommend approving a significant traffic generator… at this time.”

Supervisors will also discuss whether they want to go forward with their plan to put a $30 million bond referendum to voters this fall to fund future, critical stormwater projects. During budget discussions, the need for millions of dollars to fund these types of projects was discussed, and at the time supervisors decided to let voters choose whether to finance the money needed.

At their work session before the meeting, supervisors will hear a presentation on the implications of taking on the debt load, various scenarios on how the funds could be distributed, and what sorts of projects the money will be used for.

If they choose to go forward, and if the bond referendum passes, the equivalent real estate tax impact would be an additional 2.25 cents. View the powerpoint presentation here.

Finally, supervisors will look at whether to continue to pick up a five percent contribution to the state retirement system. The state is allowing localities to reduce or eliminate this additional contribution, but the state is also requiring localities make the decision soon. Decisions made would affect personnel hired after July 1.

County Administrator Sandy Wanner is recommending the county continue to pay for this because it treats current employees equitably and it will help the county remain competitive when it comes to recruiting. He also said county staff numbers have been reduced already, which is saving money.

He points out that the county can change its mind at a future date. Williamsburg has already voted to continue the contribution.

Other business
Supervisors will consider a request for a limited-access break on Route 199 for a cell tower, which Wanner recommends denying because it would set a bad precedent. This is related to the cell tower request pending for the Hospice House property. Neighbors in Powhatan Secondary have opposed the tower, saying it would detract from their property values. Hospice House is trying to locate a tower on its property to benefit from the $40,000 a year it would earn from the lease.

Supervisors will review more changes to zoning ordinances, including a standardized plan review timeline, Development Review Committee process clarifications, and an enhanced conceptual plan process.

The meeting will be held June 22 at 7 p.m. in building F of the county government complex on Mounts Bay Road.