JCC Notebook: Supes to Meet, Intersection Improvement Update and More

By Desiree Parker Saturday, September 10, 2011

News in the county this week includes an upcoming jam-packed meeting for the Board of Supervisors, an update on the Longhill Road and Centerville Road intersection expansion project, and an upcoming Planning Commission Policy Committee meeting.

James City County Supervisors have a packed agenda Tuesday evening, including discussions about the new Economic Opportunity zone and a joint beautification project for part of Route 60.

The new Economic Opportunity zoning districts are intended to facilitate economic development and increase the non-residential tax base and the creation of jobs. The ordinance language was very roughly based on the county’s mixed use ordinance language. So far, only the Hill Pleasant Farm area has been singled out to fall under the new EO zone.

Based on a previous board discussion of the zone, Republican supervisors find it attractive because it will bring jobs, offer a long-term development plan, limit by-right development and transfer costs for preserving rural land from the government’s pockets to those of developers. Democratic supervisors are concerned it will lead to more unchecked growth, will bring only limited revenues and doesn’t have a coherent strategic vision.

The Planning Commission approved the EO ordinance 4-2 in August, but with added language to recommend open space design techniques for some workplace areas. Staff doesn’t support his change out of concern that it may impact the marketability of the area.

The Board will also consider working with Busch Gardens on a collaborative effort to beautify the Route 60 East corridor, a project that already has support of the Triangle localities and several other corporate stakeholders.

As part of the planned beautification, Busch Gardens has proposed a plan to landscape and maintain the Grove Interchange. The plan calls for the county to contribute $20,000 from its tourism incentive fund. York County will give $5,000 and Busch Gardens will offer about $65,000.

There are many more items on Tuesday’s agenda. Look online to see the agenda. The board will meet at 7 p.m. in Building F of the county government complex on Mounts Bay Road.

Longhill and Centerville Road Improvements Over Budget

The original contract for the Longhill Road and Centerville Road intersection improvements is now more than $205,000 over budget. The original cost was almost $537,000, with work to be done by Toano Contractors, Inc.

Since the original estimate, there have been some utility conflicts, soil undercut requirements, and change in material quantities. The Virginia Department of Transportation decided after construction started that more pavement than originally intended needed to be milled, and decided to do some additional surveying. In that time, asphalt prices rose and some extra soil conditions were discovered that needed work.

Because the cost overrun exceeds 25 percent of the original amount, the Board of Supervisors will need to approve the change order. They will do so Tuesday.

EDA Business Assistance Grant

The Economic Development Authority (EDA) awarded a Business Assistance Program grant to Computer Concepts.

The $5,000 loan will convert to a grant if conditions of a five-year performance based agreement are met.

Computer Concepts has two locations including a headquarters in New Town that is fully outfitted with a state-of-the-art repair facility.

Computer Concepts is the fourth County business to receive assistance through the Business Assistance Program since its launch in 2009. The primary purpose of the program is to assist with the retention, expansion, relocation and development of smaller businesses in James City County.

The EDA funds the Business Assistance Program with administrative fees earned by the EDA through its revenue bond financing program.

For more information about the business assistance program, contact the Economic Development Authority at econdev@james-city.va.us or call 253-6607. Applications are available online.

Planning Commission Policy Committee Meeting

The Planning Commission Policy Committee has scheduled a meeting for Thursday at 1:30 p.m. to discuss the Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance update.

Topics that will be addressed include Exterior signage, Submittal requirements and administrative procedures (including policies for fiscal, environmental and traffic impact studies), an affordable housing policy, and wireless communications facilities.

The meeting will be held 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 online the week before the scheduled meeting.

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