CAPE CHARLES, Va. — The Cape Charles Board of Zoning Appeals will convene on Monday, May 6, to consider an appeal filed by property owners Greg and Emily Gentry concerning a zoning determination issued earlier this year regarding their residence at 542 Jefferson Avenue.
The appeal challenges a February 4, 2025, decision from the town’s Zoning Administrator, which determined that the accessory building on the Gentrys’ property qualifies as a legal, non-conforming Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), but that short-term rentals are not permitted in the ADU. The ruling also stated that the lot does not meet the criteria for having two principal structures.
John Hozey, Cape Charles Town Manager, is expected to participate in the discussion during the Board’s meeting.
The Gentrys are seeking to overturn the determination, which limits their ability to use the ADU for short-term rental purposes — a popular option for many property owners in the beachside town. The outcome of the appeal could have broader implications for other residents with similar accessory structures.
The meeting is open to the public and will be held at Town Hall.
About the Author
While I don’t claim to know every zoning detail in Cape Charles, I do know of the Gentrys – and they represent exactly the kind of property owners and small business operators this town should be supporting. They’re not a faceless investment firm or Wall Street-backed company buying up Cape Charles for profit. They’re real people with integrity, invested in the community and contributing to its character and economy in meaningful ways.
If the town had been consistently conservative in upholding zoning rules, I could understand a cautious stance here. But for the past several years, we’ve seen Cape Charles throw out its own rules to accommodate big outside interests, changing zoning to benefit large-scale investors – often at the expense of residents.
So when I saw this case, it felt inconsistent with the town’s recent approach – and frankly, it made my forehead scrunch. I’m not sure what came of the appeal, but I still wanted to comment, because this one didn’t sit right.
“we’ve seen Cape Charles throw out its own rules to accommodate big outside interests, changing zoning to benefit large-scale investors – often at the expense of residents.”
I’d love to better understand what you are talking about. Please list a few examples of the town changing the rules and what it has cost the residents.
Thanks.
Ron
‘WatchfulWebb’? GTFOH!