Competing Growth Forces Address JCC's Future

By Desiree Parker Friday, August 27, 2010

James City County held its first input session Tuesday night on the upcoming zoning ordinance update, and two clear and opposing lines of thought prevailed: the groups that want to make things easier for businesses, and the folks who want to rein things in.

Many people who spoke at the meeting had direct ties to real estate or development interests, while one group, the J4Cs, spoke on behalf of residents interested in controlling unsustainable growth. Most people who offered thoughts had also been involved in the recent Comprehensive Plan process.

Many of the pro-business speakers said the county ordinances were too restrictive, complex and hard to understand, these folks argued that ordinances should be more predictable, flexible, and business-friendly.

Chairman of the county’s Economic Development Authority Tom Tingle said he thought the special use permit process was too restrictive, and needed more predictability. He cautioned the county not to unreasonably hinder business, because expanding the economic base in the area is important to the county’s future.

Tingle also said he supports the idea of promoting green building, but believes that requiring it will discourage development.

AES Consulting Engineers President Richard Costello agreed that the county’s commercial and mixed use development requirements weren’t conducive to current trends.

“Commercial properties pay for themselves,” he said, but the current application and development process is too complicated and time consuming to be appealing to business owners.

Mark Rinaldi, former chairman of the EDA, agreed about businesses needing more flexibility and certainty when dealing with county ordinances, and he supported the county’s new Comprehensive Plan idea for the higher-density Economic Opportunity zone currently planned for the Hill Pleasant Farm area in Norge. Another idea Rinaldi supported was transferring development rights from other land in the county to this EO area to increase its density while decreasing density elsewhere.

President of the Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance Dick Schreiber also said the EO designation is a good idea, and that the county should work on collaborating with neighboring jurisdictions to make sure neighboring plans are in sync.

The J4Cs, however, don’t like the new EO zone. Craig Metcalf, speaking on behalf of the group, argued there needed to be an impact assessment on such a zone first.

Metcalf also said there are too many pro- business and development ordinances, and that mixed use areas should not be allowed to increase the population more than is already expected.

As for discussion on the wireless communication ordinance, the J4Cs feel that wireless facilities should not be at the discretion of the planning commission to approve, but rather they should need a special use permit in more cases.

They also would like to see a wireless communication master plan.

Stephen Romine, on behalf of Verizon Wireless, argued on the other end of the spectrum, saying more wireless communication facilities should be approved administratively, and that there should be more flexibility in the process.

The J4Cs and the pro-business groups also seem to be on opposite sides when it comes to how the county should proceed with a cumulative impact model, which is mentioned in the comp plan.

The J4Cs have taken it upon themselves to do their own model, which is partially complete but shines a negative light on the county’s growth trends.

One of the business speakers Tuesday evening suggested any such model the county looks at should take into account the positive impact of business development in the area, including more tax revenue and the creation of jobs.