Williamsburg Notebook: City Council to Discuss Quarterpath Financing Monday

By Amber Lester Kennedy Friday, November 04, 2011

City Council’s agenda for Monday’s work session is packed, with discussions on whether to issue bonds to finance infrastructure at the Quarterpath at Williamsburg development. On Saturday, High Street will welcome new business Paint on Pottery and the Neighborhood Council will meet to discuss the Surry Power Plant and a proposal to fence in trash cans that are visible from the street. Read on for more details.

City Council Meets for Work Session, Regular Meeting Next Week

City Council will discuss Monday a proposal to issue a tax-exempt municipal bond to finance infrastructure improvements at the planned Quarterpath at Williamsburg development.

Riverside and its development partner Willowwood Partnership LLC are ready to build the spine road of Quarterpath at Williamsburg, Battery Boulevard, with stormwater, water, wastewater, landscaping and recreational infrastructure. To pay for the projects, the Quarterpath Community Development Authority proposes borrowing up to $15 million by issuing a tax-exempt municipal bond with a term of up to 30 years. City Council has final approval of the plan.

The debt will be repaid by the property owner (or owners) through annual assessments paid with property taxes, according to a memorandum to Council from City Manager Jack Tuttle. Tuttle recommended Council adopt an ordinance that would establish a special assessment for the Quarterpath Community Development District and authorize a special assessment agreement.

At the same work session, Council will review potential legislative issues for the 2012 General Assembly, receive an update on the city’s work with ArtSpace and hear the preliminary student count for the first 30 days of school. The work session begins at 4 p.m. Monday in the Stryker Building.

At its Thursday meeting, council will hold two public hearings – one for zoning ordinance housekeeping amendments and one to solicit opinion on applicants to the WJCC School Board. The meeting begins at 2 p.m. in the Stryker Building.

RSVP Today for EDA’s November Lunch

The Economic Development Authority’s Business Roundtable Lunch this month will host guest speaker Mayor Clyde Haulman, who will talk about the Historic Triangle Collaborative Regional Vision Report.

Today is the deadline to RSVP for the lunch, which will be from noon to 1 p.m. on Nov. 8 at the Quarterpath Recreation Center. Qdoba will provide a taco bar buffet, including chips and queso, cookies and beverage options for $12.

The Historic Triangle Collaborative Regional Vision Report was developed by the Historic Triangle Collaborative in an effort to determine how leaders believe the communities could work together toward a shared vision. Read the report here.

Seating is limited. RSVP to businessroundtable@williamsburgva.gov. Anyone who RSVP’s, but doesn’t attend, will still be responsible for the cost of the meal.

Neighborhood Council to Discuss Surry Power Station

The Neighborhood Council of Williamsburg will meet from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the Quarterpath Recreation Center.

The guest speaker will be Craig Olsen, manager of nuclear engineering for the Surry Nuclear Power Station. He’ll explain how the facility operates and the station’s safeguards.

Deputy Planning Director Carolyn Murphy will explain a proposal coming before City Council that requires enclosures around garage cans that are visible from city streets. Council requested Neighborhood Council input before putting the proposal to a vote.

For more information about Neighborhood Council, contact Jim Joseph at 565-1549.

Pottery Business Hosts Grand Opening Saturday

Paint on Pottery will celebrate its grand opening at High Street from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

The event will include a complimentary studio session, a street fair with local artists and a bouncy castle and a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m.

Paint on Pottery is located at 1430 Richmond Road.