Supes Will Consider Dam Repair, RV Park Expansion Tuesday

Friday, November 05, 2010

At their Tuesday evening meeting, James City County supervisors will hold several public hearings, including one on the repair of Cranston’s Mill Pond dam and expansion of American Heritage RV Park, which was kicked back to the planning commission at a previous meeting.

Cranston’s Mill Pond is about 50 acres and was created by damming Yarmouth Creek about 75 years ago. The pond and some surrounding land have been used by the owners as a private hunting and fishing club. In September 2006, Tropical Storm Ernesto caused the dam to breach, and the owner is applying to fix the dam by adding a 100-foot concrete spillway and an emergency spillway. Other vegetation in the area would be removed in accordance with state regulations.

The applicant is now under contract to buy the pond area and the dam. The dam’s previous nonconforming status expired, and in order for the use to be legally re-established the applicant needs to get a special use permit approved.

The pond will be used for recreational purposes or as a nutrient management bank. County staff says in a memo on the application that habitat inside the pond will be affected once the dam is fixed, but only up to the proposed water elevation of about 8 feet. Staff believes the dam repair could increase wildlife habitat, and they agree with the idea of restoring the pond’s water level.

The applicant still needs to get permits from the Army Corps of Engineers in order to mitigate its impact to existing wetlands.

Supervisors will also discuss the expansion of the American Heritage RV Park from 95 campsites to 327 sites once again.

They deferred the case in October and sent it back to the planning commission for review because there were a few changes to the application, including a change in the Virginia Department of Transportation’s assessment of nearby roads. VDOT now recommends expanding Maxton Lane, which the applicant has agreed to do.

Supervisors were also concerned about the new Economic Opportunity designation that now covers the property and surrounding area, and supervisors wanted to be sure the expansion wouldn’t interfere with future master planning of the EO area.

The applicant supports the idea of an EO zone and has added new language to the application that future master planning and development of the property aren’t precluded by the expansion. The planning commission approved the new application with its few additions on November 3.

Other business

Supervisors will hold a public hearing on a special use permit for Diamond Healthcare on Mooretown Road to allow a 17-bed expansion at the psychiatric care facility. This would bring the number of beds to 57. The planning commission unanimously approved the SUP.

Supervisors will also discuss getting new 911 communications equipment jointly with York County to replace an old system. The 10-year lease-purchase agreement will cost $1.8 million dollars.

See additional agenda items on the county website. The meeting will be held Tuesday at 7 p.m. in building F of the county government complex on Mounts Bay Road.