Williamsburg Notebook: Gallery Crawl Set for Sept. 29, New Ordinance Changes Approved

By Amber Lester Kennedy Friday, September 16, 2011

Williamsburg’s Arts Month is in full swing, with events planned around town leading up to An Occasion for the Arts. The city’s first gallery crawl, set for Sept. 29, will take participants around town on chartered buses to see art and enjoy fine wines. In September, City Council has approved ordinance changes for the usage of pneumatic guns, taxicab signage and bad check fees. Read on for more details.

Williamsburg’s First Gallery Crawl Set for Sept. 29

The City of Williamsburg Economic Development Authority is sponsoring the first Gallery Crawl on Sept. 29.

For $40, participants will board chartered buses that will visit art galleries and three bed and breakfasts, where patrons can interact with artists and view their pieces in a home setting. The ticket also includes a keepsake wine glass that serves as an invitation from one art stop to the next. Wine will be selected by Blue Talon’s Adam Steely.

Wine glasses can be ordered via PayPal here. Select one of the three “Will Call” locations listed on that site to pick up tickets between 5:30 and 8 p.m.

To pay by check, mail a check payable to the Williamsburg EDA to Williamsburg EDA, 401 Lafayette St., Williamsburg, VA 23185. Include your name and your preferred “will call” location.

Recent Ordinances Adopted by City Council

City Council has adopted three new ordinances and one resolution this month.

City Council repealed its prohibition of the discharge of air rifles, BB guns and gravel shooters within the city because the General Assembly enacted a bill prohibiting localities from prohibiting the use of pneumatic guns.

Localities are allowed to place limitations on the use of pneumatic guns, so the city decided to specify that pneumatic guns, BB guns and gravel shooters can be used at shooting ranges or on private property with permission of the owner, provided that projectiles do not cross the boundaries of the property. In addition, minors under the age of 16 must be supervised by a parent, guardian or adult approved by the guardian and minors over 16 must have written consent from parents or guardians.

A violation of the adapted code constitutes a class 3 misdemeanor.

The City Council also adopted an ordinance adjusting requirements for taxicab signage. Now, taxicabs must have either “taxicab,” “taxi” or “cab” painted on the outside of one door on each side.

The letters must be between four and six inches. In addition, the vehicle must have a roof sign at least three inches tall bearing similar wording.

The third ordinance adoption increases the maximum fee charged for bad checks from $35 to $50. Any person who utters, publishes and passes any check, draft or order for payment to the city that fails to clear will be subject to a fee of $50.

Finally, the council resolved to adopt the Hampton Roads Regional Water Supply Plan and approved plans for submittal to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality at its Sept. 8 meeting.

Planning Commission to Meet Wednesday

The Williamsburg Planning Commission will meet for a work session from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday in the third floor conference room of the Municipal Building.