Supes To Consider Cell Tower, Relief For Farmers

Monday, September 13, 2010

James City County supervisors return from their summer hiatus Tuesday evening with a relatively light agenda that includes a public hearing on a cell tower and a request for disaster assistance for local farmers.

Supervisors will again consider a cell tower proposed on Ingram Road. The tower was previously approved by the planning commission, but because the applicant made significant changes regarding where the tower would be located and also requested a reduction in buffers, supervisors sent the application back to the planning commission for review.

Commissioners again approved the tower, which is now significantly less visible to homes and businesses around Five Forks. Staff isn’t thrilled about the requested buffer reduction from 100 to 50 feet, but the applicant explained at a previous meeting that this reduction will help protect developable land for the current land owner.

Supervisors will also consider requesting disaster relief for local corn and soybean farmers, whose crops were decimated this summer by extended drought and high temperatures. The Four Rivers Farm Service Agency, a subsidiary of the US Department of Agriculture, determined that damage to the crops meets the threshold for a disaster declaration.

The Farm Service Agency found that 50 percent of the soybean crop was lost this summer, with a value of $279,224, and 75 percent of the corn crop was lost, with a total value of $457,496.

Once a locality declares a disaster, they need to send a resolution to the governor requesting assistance from the USDA. If the USDA agrees to a disaster declaration, farmers can apply to the agency for financial assistance.

To see the full agenda, visit the county website. Supervisors meet Tuesday at 7 p.m. in building F of the county government complex on Mounts Bay Road.