JCC Notebook: New Committee Will Examine TMDL, Cooling Assistance Available and More

By Desiree Parker Saturday, July 16, 2011

In county news this week, the county establishes a committee to come up with a plan to comply with recent Environmental Protection Agency mandates, cooling assistance is available for qualifying county residents, the Planning Commission Policy Committee will meet next week and the police department is settling into their new digs.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently established a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) for nutrients and sediment allowed in the Chesapeake Bay.

Localities in Bay states need to come up with local plans to conform to the TMDL, so James City County has created a Technical Recommendation Committee (TRC).

The TRC will review the TMDL plan, generate proposed Best Management Practices or Community Conservation Information, and estimate costs to complete any plans. The committee is made up of County staff from County Administration, Development Management, General Services, James City Service Authority and representatives from the Virginia Department of Health, Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Colonial Soil and Water Conservation District.

They will develop recommendations to the Board no later than August 24 so the county can submit its plan to the state by October 1. Look on the county website for more information.

Cooling Assistance Available

Cooling assistance applications will be accepted through Aug. 15 as part of the Virginia Department of Social Services’ Energy Assistance Program.

Assistance is available to households that include a child under age six, a person with disabilities or an adult age 60 or over who meet income and eligibility requirements.

Cooling assistance can be used to assist families and individuals with financial aid to help with electric bills to operate cooling equipment; payment of security deposits for electricity to operate cooling equipment; repair of a central air conditioning system or heat pump; purchase of a whole-house fan, including ceiling or attic fans; and purchase and installation of one window unit air conditioner for households without a working unit.

The maximum gross monthly income (before taxes) for one person is $1,180 and $2,422 for a household of four.

To learn more look online or call James City County Social Services at 259-3100. Applications must be received by Monday, Aug. 15.

Planning Commission Policy Committee

The Planning Commission Policy Committee will meet on Monday.

They will discuss the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance update, specifically the residential cluster overlay district and green building.

The meeting will be held at 4:30 p.m. in Building A of the James City County Government Center on Mounts Bay Road. Members of the public, organizations, businesses and other interested parties are invited to attend and opportunities for comment will be available. Comments can be submitted online.

Meeting materials will be available on the county website the week before the scheduled meeting.

For more information, please contact the Planning Division at 253-6685 or planning@james-city.va.us.

Police Department Has Moved

The James City County Police Department has moved to the new Law Enforcement Center at 4600 Opportunity Way, located across from Thomas Nelson Community College.

The telephone number remains the same, 253-1800.

The County’s Fire Department will assume use of the previous facility on John Tyler Highway.