JCC Notebook: Supes Meeting and an Award for Busch Gardens

By Desiree Parker Saturday, November 05, 2011

This week’s news in the county includes an upcoming Board of Supervisors meeting, an award given to Busch Gardens for its charitable work, and a reminder about the end of Daylight Savings Time. Board of Supervisors Meet

The Board will meet next week to discuss rescinding a recent vote to approve zoning ordinance changes and their 2012 legislative agenda.

The Board recently approved several amendments to the Commercial Districts zoning ordinances to help make the process easier to navigate for businesses. However, there were some discrepancies in the various versions reviewed by the board, the Planning Commission and the Policy Committee. Supervisor Jim Kennedy said Planning Commission Chairman Jack Fraley identified some discrepancies and Kennedy requested that the board discuss rescinding the amendments.

One discrepancy in question relates to where fast-food restaurants will be permitted in commercial districts. “In particular, I would like the Planning Commission and staff to consider whether fast food restaurants should be permitted, specially permitted or not a permitted use in each district,” Kennedy wrote in an email to staff.

The board will consider rescinding the recent approval Tuesday and consider whether to send the ordinances back to the planning commission to review the ordinances again and iron out the issues. They were supposed to discuss this at a previous meeting but the Board deferred discussion until all members were present.

The board will also talk about the upcoming 2012 legislative agenda, which includes some ways to address frustrations the board had this year relating to various cases.

Some agenda items include increasing state-allowable fines for Chesapeake Bay violations and also for property owners who have especially unkempt and trash-filled yards.

The county is also hoping to get support to force the Virginia Department of Transportation to have agreements with local governments before moving ahead with projects, and to get VDOT to sign agreements with localities to maintain medians.

Read the full meeting agenda and related documents online. The board will meet at 7 p.m. in Building F of the county government complex on Mounts Bay Road.

Busch Gardens Gets County Award

The James City County Board of Supervisors and Economic Development Authority recognized Busch Gardens Williamsburg as this year’s recipient of the Captain John Smith Award for their exemplary contributions in the James City County business community.

In presenting the award, Berkeley District Supervisor and Board of Supervisors Chairman, Mary Jones said, “For more than 35 years, Busch Gardens Williamsburg has thrilled local residents and assisted a thriving tourism base for James City County and the Historic Triangle. Busch Gardens Williamsburg is the 2011 recipient of the Captain John Smith Award for its continued investment in the County and charitable efforts in the local region.”

Dan Dipiazzo, Vice President of Marketing for Busch Gardens Williamsburg, thanked James City County and said, “The County is a great place to do business and we are happy to be here.” He encouraged everyone to come to the park and to see the new expansion in the spring.

For 21 consecutive years, Busch Garden’s James City County location has been voted the World’s Most Beautiful Amusement Park by the National Amusement Park Historical Association.

Busch Gardens is involved in many charitable organizations within the local region, including the United Way of Greater Williamsburg, and participates in a variety of community events such as Clean the Bay Day and Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup. The park also supports the SeaWorld and Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, a nonprofit organization, supports wildlife research, habitat protection, animal rescue and conservation education.

Most recently, Busch Gardens/Water Country USA was awarded the Champions of Disability Employment designation for 2011 by the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services. Busch Gardens/Water Country USA is only one of six companies to receive this designation.

The Celebration of Business is an appreciation event for major industrial, technical and business service companies in James City County. The event was held on Nov. 3.

Fall Back: Change Your Clock, and Check Your Battery

The county wants to remind residents that November 6 is the day to set clocks back an hour as Daylight Savings Time ends. This is a good time to check your smoke alarms, too.

Smoke alarm batteries must be tested on a regular basis and, in most cases, should be replaced at least once each year (except for lithium batteries). Don’t forget this important piece of home maintenance.

Comments  

 

0 #1 Not a Fiends Fan 2011-11-05 10:10

Why is Busch Gardens being rewarded after staging that lewd, not family-friendly Fiends in the Festhaus show?

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