JCC Notebook: Supes to Meet, Mausoleum Meeting Postponed and More

By Desiree Parker Saturday, November 19, 2011

This week in the county, St. Bede's mausoleum application is put on hold, the Board of Supervisors will meet Tuesday, the Economic Development Authority has a new member, police launch Click It or Ticket, and the county announces closings for the upcoming holiday.

St. Bede has requested a delay on the Board's consideration of its application for a mausoleum.

St. Bede applied to amend its original master plan in order to construct six, 10,000-square-foot mausoleum buildings that will hold a total of roughly 9,000 bodies at the front of its property, adjacent to Ironbound Road and a few homes within the Meadows neighborhood. The application is under review because it was deemed a significant change from the church’s original master plan for the property. The mausoleums would be built over several decades and would be paid for through proceeds from crypt sales.

The Planning Commission approved the application. Read a previous story here.

Right now, there’s no indication when the case will go before the Board.

Supervisors Meet Tuesday

The Board will hold public hearings on a zoning change brought about by the Forest Heights neighborhood improvements and on exterior signage ordinance updates.

The Forest Heights neighborhood, a mainly low- and moderate-income neighborhood along Forest Heights Road, Neighbors Drive and Richmond Road between Prime Outlets and Wellesley Boulevard, needs some fixing up. The county received grants to proceed with the project, which includes widening and paving gravel roads, improving drainage problems, and adding a park, a sidewalk and a walking path.

The county needs to rezone some properties to allow for property line adjustments to bring lots into conformance with zoning ordinance.

The second hearing will cover the ordinance updates on exterior signage rules.

The Board will also hold a hearing on amending the Enterprise Zone ordinance to enlarge the area slightly.

Read the agenda and related documents here. The meeting will take place Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Building F of the county government complex on Mounts Bay Road.

County Selects Robin Carson to Fill EDA Slot

The Board of Supervisors appointed Robin Carson to the James City County Economic Development Authority to fill the position vacated by Douglas M. Gebhardt.

Since 2006, Carson has been the General Manager at the Kingsmill Resort and Spa in James City County. Prior to her position with Kingsmill, Carson worked for SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, formerly the Busch Entertainment Corporation, for nearly 30 years.

Carson is a member of the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance Board of Directors and is currently Chair of the Marketing Resource Task Force under the Williamsburg Area Destination Marketing Committee.

EDA Chairman Thomas Tingle said, “We believe Robin’s tourism and hospitality expertise, her marketing knowledge, and her connection to our community will be a valuable addition to the EDA.”

The James City County EDA is a seven-member volunteer Board whose members are appointed by the County Board of Supervisors and serve staggered four-year terms. The Authority's mission is to assist the County and the Office of Economic Development in expanding James City County's business and employment base.

Police Launch Click It or Ticket

James City County Police will be out in force as part of this year’s Click It or Ticket campaign, making sure residents buckle up.

“Whether you’re going across town or across the State this Thanksgiving, make sure you and everyone riding with you are wearing their seat belts,” said Master Police Officer Leslie Sten.

This year’s Click it or Ticket campaign runs through Nov. 27. Although nationally seat belt use is at 85 percent, police say far too many people are still not buckling up and are paying the ultimate price.

According to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 23,000 passenger vehicle occupants died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2009 across the nation and almost half (11,512) were not wearing seat belts.

During the Thanksgiving holiday period (Nov. 25 through Nov. 30) in 2009, 303 passenger vehicle occupants died in vehicle crashes.

“Fastening a seat belt takes only a second or two, and costs you nothing. Not wearing a seat belt, especially during this Thanksgiving period, will definitely cost you a ticket at the very least, and maybe even your life,” said Officer Sten.

Seat belt use is the single most effective way to protect people and reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes, according to NHTSA. Research has shown that when lap and shoulder belts are used properly, the risk of fatal injury to front seat passenger car occupants is reduced by 45 percent, and the risk of moderate to serious injury is reduced by 50 percent.

For more information about the Click it or Ticket campaign for highway safety during Thanksgiving, click here.

Holiday Closings

Thanksgiving is nearly here, and government offices will be on holiday schedules. Here are the county closings for the week:

Wednesday, Nov. 23:

Courts close at noon; Libraries close at 5 p.m.

Closed Thursday, Nov. 24:

James City County offices; James City/Williamsburg and James River Community Centers; Garbage Transfer Station; Convenience Centers; Recycling (make up day, Saturday, Nov. 26); Courts; Libraries

Closed Friday, Nov. 25:

James City County offices; Courts; Libraries