If you believe the holiday season isn’t complete without snow, then head over to PEACH BEACH Shave Ice Shack to get a taste. During the final Festive Friday in Cape Charles, they will be cranking out fine powdery snow from their shave ice machine and passing it out. A station will be set up to make and decorate miniature snowmen, and there will likely be some snowballs flying as well. Hot, fresh crepes and cold, tasty shave ice will both be available. December 21st from 5:00pm to 9:00pm.
Council to vote on amendments to Accessory Dwelling Code
On Thursday December 20th, the Cape Charles Town Council will be voting on a proposed text amendment to the Town Code that sets the utility rates for accessory dwelling units.
The proposal will exempt non-rent paying occupants from paying an additional monthly utility bill. Rent paying occupants will be billed at fifty percent of the minimal monthly residential bill.
Accessory dwelling units in Cape Charles are only by conditional use permit, not by right, so Council has control over location and number of units approved in town.
Language allowing for accessory dwelling units as a conditional use in
certain residential zoning districts was approved by Town Council at the October 18, 2018, regular monthly meeting, following a public hearing held that same date on the proposed language.
At that meeting Council deferred action on setting water and sewer rates.
Additional work was zoning districts staff and Councilman Grossman to
determine appropriate income-based and monthly rental cost criteria as a determination for setting the conditions of billing fees.
Proposed utility rates were discussed by the Council at the December 6, 2018, special meeting. Following that discussion, the Council reached a consensus that the rates should be lower than rates for single-family residential dwellings.
The Town Code language needs to be amended to allow for water and sewer
billing accounts of accessory dwelling units approved as conditional uses. Staff proposes the following as text amendments to existing language found in sections 70.35 and 71.42:70.35.(b)\71.42.(b):
Accessory dwelling units approved by Town Council as a conditional use shall be billed at fifty (50) percent of the residential monthly minimum bill.
Accessory dwelling units occupied by family member(s) of the principal property owner or non-rent paying occupants may be exempt from this monthly bill upon the Town receiving affidavit signed by the principal property owner attesting to such occupancy.
Letter: Grand Illumination was Wonderful
This note was sent to the Mirror by Marlene Cree.
We attended the Grand Illumination last night in Central Park and just wanted to comment on how lovely it
Actually, the rain enhanced the reflections on the lighted golf carts in the Parade which is a delightful and unique “Cape Charles Thing”.
But the Tidewater Concert Band was the star of the evening, playing all our Christmas favorites. I remember that for many years when Chris Bannon was the Master of Ceremonies that music was a hallmark of the Illumination.
Then for whatever
Meet Zach Ponds, Our new Planner
Zach Ponds is the Town Planner for Cape Charles, Virginia. He graduated with an undergraduate degree in Geography from the University of Alabama in 2012, and a masters degree in Public Administration in
2018 from Kennesaw State University (GA), where he was inducted as an honorary member of the Pi Alpha Alpha Global Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration.
Zach wrote his practicum paper for his MPA program on autonomous vehicles and how they might affect cities in the near future. Zach is passionate about creating walkable, pedestrian-oriented, multi-modal communities.
Having been born in Austin, Texas and graduated high school just outside of Nashville, Tennessee, Zach has slowly made his way east, finally settling in Cape Charles, Virginia with his wife and 18-month-old daughter.
He has worked in the planning profession for three years, with most of his professional planning experience working in the City of Chamblee, Georgia. Outside of work, Zach enjoys outdoor recreation, reading, and, of course, watching Alabama football. #RollTide.
No Confidence: Supervisors Reject flawed Comp Plan
The Northampton County Board of Supervisors voted to reject the draft Comp Plan and remanded it back to the Planning Commission.
The Board, in a show of no confidence for the Planning Commission, requested that a consultant firm with expertise in county and municipal planning be hired to assist with the update. Supervisors noted that, in rejecting the plan, important elements were missing, such as the data and studies were
Housing statistics were based on 2014 data, and public sentiment was based on 2012 input.
The Board also felt that the tone was too negative, and did not take into consideration tourism growth, agriculture and aquaculture.
The draft was also not in compliance with statutes such as requirements that account for groundwater and surface water and affordable housing.
The Board has directed the Planning Commission to begin the process again, this time leveraging extensive public input.
County Installs life-saving school safety technology
Northampton Public Schools in coordination with county law enforcement officials recently started working with the Boston-based company, In Force Technology, LLC to install their life-saving school safety technology, IN FORCE911, in all of the Northampton County public schools.
INFORCE911 is a desktop and mobile application which significantly reduces police response time to a critical event at a school and addresses the communication barrier which exists during active shooting situations.
The software application empowers school staff with the means to launch an alert in 12-seconds or less from their desktop or mobile device, rather than minutes, with the current 911 system. The alert will be sent directly to the dispatch center, police cruisers and cell phones of officers with specific information, including the room of origin.
Additionally, it opens a two-way chat dialogue, in real-time, allowing staff to communicate details of the threat to first responders. Moreover, first responders are provided access to Floor Plans, IP-based camera feeds and other emergencies detailed information to help them plan the best course of action.
“This initiative was Sheriff Doughty’s idea. There was no incident that prompted the decision. This program enables teachers and staff to directly report any serious threats to our schools. In addition, it will reduce response time for law enforcement officers. When they arrive at the scene floor plans and any changes in the situation are available for them to see on their screen. Finally, it has been installed at all of our schools, not just the high school,” Superintendent Eddie Lawrence told the Mirror.
While attending the 2016 Spring Virginia Sheriff’s Conference, Sheriff Doughty received information about the InForce 911 Software.
“I was able to reach out to the provided references of localities using the software and received nothing but positive feedback. Shortly thereafter, I approached all of the Northampton County schools public and private about supporting the idea of implementing the program. While they all were very supportive, Northampton County Public Schools decided to move forward with the project. Currently, we are working with some of our private schools to move forward with the implementation. Initially, we did encounter some delays with the implementation of the software. However, over the past 12 months, we have been working with the InForce Technology Team, our local Law Enforcement Partners, School Staff, and County and School IT Departments to implement the software. Since late summer, we have conducted three testing sessions with school staff. I am pleased to report that the testing went well and the InForce 911 Software is actively running in all Northampton County Public Schools. We plan to have regular testing sessions with the staff throughout the remainder of the school year,” Sheriff Doughty told the Mirror.
Additionally, with the assistance of the Eastern Shore Drug Task Force, Portsmouth Sheriff’s Office, and Exmore Police Department, law enforcement has completed active intruder training sessions with four Northampton County Schools. There additional sessions scheduled for February 20.
Deputy Clerk Tracy Outten completes CMC program
Deputy Clerk Tracy Outten has completed the requirements of the Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) Program through the International Institute of Municipal Clerks.
The CMC designation is a declaration that Outten is proficient in her position and has demonstrated a mastery of administrative skills critical to local government.
Snow Queen and King at Lemontree Dec. 21st
The Snow Queen and King from 6-8 PM.
Bring the kids by Lemon Tree for a Festive Friday treat. See what the Snow Queen has brought all the way from Bearland. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served. Join in for a festive holiday sing along with Dr. Sheppard at the piano.
301 Mason Ave., Cape Charles, VA 23310 * 757-331-4327 * team@lemontree.gallery * @lemontreecapecharles
High Times: cannabis dispensary will be opening across the Bay
Hampton Roads’ first medical cannabis dispensary will be opening in Portsmouth, city officials announced Wednesday, ending speculation over where a facility would land since the licensees were first identified earlier this fall.
New York-based Columbia Care will open the facility in the spring 2019, a City of Portsmouth news release said. The company declined to say where it would be located.
The dispensary will initially have around 24 employees, including chemists, scientists, horticulturalists and dispensers, the city said. At the facility, CBD and THC-A oil, capsules and creams will be produced and dispensed for state-registered patients.
Columbia Care is one of five companies that have been granted licenses by the Virginia Board of Pharmacy to operate medical dispensaries. By law, the medical cannabis products can only be distributed from these facilities.
Columbia Care is one of three out-of-state companies that were awarded licenses, joining Maryland-based Green Leaf Medical and Illinois-based Pharmacann, which has since been sold. The other two — Dalitso and Dharma Pharmaceuticals — are based in Virginia.
Ponies added to Boost the Chincoteague herd’s population
CHINCOTEAGUE, Va. (AP) – Three Chincoteague ponies have returned to their ancestral Virginia island to help boost the herd’s population.
Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company spokeswoman Denise Bowden wrote in a Facebook post that this year has been one of the most difficult in terms of herd loss. The fire company manages the wild herd.
The Daily Times of Salisbury reports that two ponies succumbed to a fungus-like disease known as “swamp cancer,” two others died after becoming stuck in mud, one broke her neck in a “freak accident” and one foal died not long after its birth.
This month’s additions to the herd are all mares. Oreo, Star and Treasure are genetically Chincoteague ponies, but the Chincoteague Pony Pedigree Database says Star was born in Texas.
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