Commissioners Give Grove Outreach Expansion an 'Amen'

By Desiree Parker Friday, July 09, 2010

James City County planning commissioners had a pretty short and not-contentious meeting Wednesday evening as they elected a new vice-chair and approved applications for a few new businesses and a plan for the new Grove Christian Outreach Center.

Joe Poole was chosen unanimously to serve as vice-chair, a discussion commissioners could have done in closed session but instead chose to do at the dais.

During a public hearing on a special use permit, commissioners heard several heart-felt stories about the good work the Grove Christian Outreach Center does for those in need in the Grove community. The center has two parcels of land on which they plan to build a 5,628 square-foot building with a proposal for future expansion. The building would house the outreach center and the church, which is now in a building down the street that is about the size of a double-wide trailer.

One volunteer, Kathy Reynolds, said her time with the center “has brought more meaning to my life than I could ever imagine.”

Several board members and volunteers spoke about the work GCOC does in the community and how much it means to residents. Last year, one board member pointed out, the center served over 600 families and moved more than 430,000 pounds of food.

Commissioner Joe Poole shared his thoughts on the center, saying he and his family have had a chance to volunteer at the current location during bread days and that the experience has given them a new appreciation for those who are in need.

Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the special use permit, with Commissioner Jack Fraley shouting a spirited “Amen!” when it came his turn to vote.

Commissioners also approved an application for a new food processing location for Tienda Inc, the company that owns La Tienda, a local gourmet Spanish food retailer. The business has three locations in the county and has been around for 15 years, with its most recent showroom location opening up this year in the former Whitehall Restaurant space on Jamestown Road near Colony Square Shopping Center.

The new location, in the Toano  Business Center at 8105 Richmond Rd., would serve as a food processing operation used for the slicing and packaging of meats, the production of artisan sausages, and the repackaging of food from Spain.

Commissioners expressed their pleasure at a local business expanding and using an already-available space for a new business.

Another special use permit was approved by commissioners at their meeting, also with their added compliments to the applicant who will take an existing business (the Spray King Truck Wash) and turn it into a more appealing one (a fast food restaurant). The applicant hinted that he might open a barbeque restaurant, but didn’t confirm it.

Though commissioners Jack Fraley and Joe Poole were somewhat concerned about some language in the proffers that suggested possible other uses for the property, some which would be by-right and some which would require an SUP, they approved the application unanimously with the understanding that staff would work with the applicant on the proffer language.