JCC Notebook: Special Meeting Next Week, Supes Approve Settler's Market Plan, and More

By Desiree Parker Saturday, December 17, 2011

There’s lots of news this week in the county: a special meeting next week of staggered terms, board decisions on Settler’s Market and Forest Heights, some citizen and staff recognitions and holiday closings for Christmas.

Special Meeting

The Board will hold a special meeting Tuesday evening to discuss ending staggered terms for board members. Read more about the issue here.

The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. in Building F of the county government complex on Mounts Bay Road.

Settler’s Market

The Board of Supervisors approved the application to amend the master plan and amendments for Settler’s Market at New Town at their Tuesday meeting.

Owners Federal Capital Partners will reduce the number of residential units from a maximum of 279 down to 120, and will remove additional planned mixed use buildings.

While supervisors lamented the loss of the mixed use aspect of the development, they approved the application unanimously and noted they liked the plan.

Forest Heights Improvement Project

The Board approved the next step to continue the improvement of Forest Heights by authorizing the sale of county-owned land in the neighborhood.

The county bought 11 parcels of land; three of those will be sold back, to homeowners who had to move due to the reconfiguring of the area, four lots will be sold to Habitat for Humanity and the rest will be sold later. The cost for the lots will be between $35,000 and $42,500.

Phase two of the revitalization project will begin soon, once staff gets approval from the board in February to apply for additional block grant funding.

County Honors Staff Members, Citizen

Two County staff members and a County citizen have received the 2011 Chairman’s Award from James City County Board of Supervisors Chairman, Mary Jones.

Emergency Management Director, Kate Hale, and Public Fire Educator, Margaret Tucker, were recognized for their service and support to the Citizen Emergency Response Team (CERT) program. Harry Walters was recognized for his vision to honor the contributions and sacrifices of the nation's veterans. The awards were presented at the Dec. 13 regular Board of Supervisors meeting.

 

The County’s CERT program, established under the Federal Emergency Management Agency, was adopted in 2003 within the Fire Department’s Division of Emergency Management. The program has trained 342 citizens, certified nine organized neighborhood citizen response teams, and provided leadership and instruction for regional CERT programs.

Through community outreach, education and collaboration, Hale and Tucker created well informed and properly trained citizen teams that are a vital component of the County’s emergency response program.

 

Harry Walters worked to find a location and raised money for a Veterans Tribute Tower, which is now located in New Town. He led a group that organized a successful Veterans Day Parade, the first of its kind in James City County. Walters also planned a number of other events during Veterans Day weekend, including activities with school children, a dedication ceremony and entertainment. Walters plans to continue his efforts in the community.

 

Holiday Closings

County offices, libraries and courts will be closed Dec 23 through 26. The James City/Williamsburg Community Center and the James River Community Center will be closed Dec. 24 and 25.

County convenience centers will close at noon on Dec. 24 and will be closed Christmas Day. The Garbage Transfer Station will be closed Dec. 24 and 25.

County Retirees Honored

Eight James City County retirees were recognized on Dec. 14 for their years of dedicated service.Pictured from left to right are Robert H. Smith, Patrick S. McLain, Guy R. Carroll, Patricia R. Sharp, Joseph J. Basilone, Jr., Mary W. Hubbard, Richard A. Drumwright and Don Breland.