Williamsburg Notebook: Planning Commission Talks Room Rentals, Chemical Collection Sat.

By Amber Lester Kennedy Friday, August 12, 2011

The Williamsburg Planning Commission will reconsider its recommendation for amending the city’s regulations for room rentals in owner-occupied homes next week. Tomorrow, the city is collecting household chemicals at Lafayette High. Read below for more details.

Planning Commission Hosts Public Forums Aug. 17

The Williamsburg Planning Commission will again revisit the issue of room rental regulations in owner-occupied homes.

Although the commission approved a recommendation at its July 20 meeting, the commission is taking another look at the issue and will host a public hearing to review another option Aug. 17.

Since April, the Planning Commission has considered whether or not to amend zoning regulations for the rental of bedrooms to roomers in owner-occupied single-family homes. The three alternatives now being considered are: 1) no change; 2) allow the rental of one bedroom to one roomer by right and the rental of bedroom(s) to two roomers with administrative approval; and 3) allow the rental of bedroom(s) to two roomers with administrative approval by the Zoning Administrator and to three or four roomers with Board of Zoning Appeals approval.

At the July 20 meeting, the commission agreed to recommend City Council approve option two, but City Council asked the commission to hold a second public hearing to evaluate the third option.

The Planning Commission will also host a public hearing to discuss a request of Carlton Holdings, LLC for a special use permit to construct a commercial building and 29 condos at 301 Second Street and 320 Penniman Road. The properties are zoned for a corridor commercial district.

The meeting will begin at 3:30 p.m. Aug. 17 at the Stryker Building.

Household Chemical Collection on Saturday

Williamsburg residents can dispose of old paints, household chemicals and cleaning products safely this Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at Lafayette High School.

Acceptable materials for disposal include:

• Household maintenance products, including latex and oil-based paints

• Automotive products

• Lawn & garden products

• Household cleaning products

• Household batteries

• Fluorescent and CFL light bulbs

• Miscellaneous products: photo finishing supplies, chemistry sets and charcoal fluid

Items not accepted include business or medical waste; compressed gas cylinders; explosives; ammunition or gun powder; shock sensitive materials; radioactive products or household trash. Televisions are also not accepted, but can be recycled at Best Buy stores. They can, however, recycle computers.

The next collection date is Oct. 8.

EDA Grant Winner's Business Grows

Lori Jakubow became the first recipient of the Williamsburg Economic Development Authority’s E-commerce grant last year. The grant allowed her to create a website for her business.

In her first year, Jakubow has grown her business as a Virginia Small, Women and Minority (SWAM) Business. She is now selling her fiber art in the Museum Shop of the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia, located in Virginia Beach. She is also teaching art classes in the area.