The Town Council will hold a public hearing, pursuant to Cape Charles Zoning Ordinance Section 2.7.1, on Thursday, September 16 to continue the Coastal Precast saga. The hearing is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in the Cape Charles Civic Center, 500 Tazewell Avenue.

The Public Hearing is to receive comments on revised/additional zoning text amendments to Section 3.14 General Business/Light Industrial H-1 (GBI H-1).

Here are the details:

1) Add language that PUD, PUD Districts or Appendices in the PUD refers to the Accawmacke Plantation Planned Unit Development (PUD) Ordinance to 3.14 (A) (6)
2) Remove the following permitted uses from Section 3.14 (B) and add them to Conditional Uses in Section 3.14 (C)

a) Manufacture, processing, fabrication, assembly and/or storage of products such as but not limited to scientific and precision instruments, renewable energy technology components, photographic equipment, communications equipment, aircraft or satellite parts, computation equipment, drugs, medicines, medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, household items, glass products, electric lighting and wiring equipment, service industry machines, industrial controls, optical goods, and electrical equipment.
b) Outdoor storage provided it shall be surrounded by landscaping sufficient to screen storage area in accordance with Appendix A, applicable category

3) Under Section 3.14 (C) – Conditional Use, Item #2 which currently reads “Buildings over 40 feet but equal or less than 50 feet”, add the following language at the end of the sentence: “or building or structure may be constructed to a maximum height of 75 feet if the building or structure is set back at least one hundred twenty-five (125) additional feet from the required set back from all property boundaries

4) Under Section 3.14 (F) – Additional Requirements, the following items are proposed for change a) Item #6 – delete the strikethrough words shown: No outside storage of parts, materials, fossil fuels, raw materials, or petroleum shall be permitted within the GBI H-1District.
b) Item #7 – delete in its entirety: “No outside manufacturing, assembly, or servicing of products used on the property or of trucks or automobiles used in conjunction with or for the transport of materials to the district shall be allowed.”
c) Item #9 – delete the strikethrough words shown: No outside loudspeakers, intercoms, sirens, paging systems, whistles, horns, bells, or other devices or signals audible outside any buildings shall be allowed on the property.
d) Item #9 – add the following at the end of the current sentence. “Any and all OSHA requirements shall be adhered to; any OSHA-accepted alternative warning devices are encouraged. A sound impact study will be required as part of any conditional use permit application, and additional sound mitigation barriers may be required in addition to the natural buffer yard requirements in paragraph E (5) above.”

e) Item #11 – to change the times when delivery or transmission of materials or products are not allowed to or from the property:

CURRENT REQUIREMENT: Not allowed between 11 pm and 5 am Monday through Sunday
PROPOSED REQUIREMENT: Not allowed before 8 am and not after 9 pm Monday through Saturday and no such deliveries to or from the property shall occur on Sunday.

f) Add a new Item #12 to read as follows: “The requirements of this paragraph F. shall apply to all uses of Section 3.14. The Zoning Administrator may consider exceptions to these requirements in conformance with the following standards:
a. That the exception is reasonably necessary due to customary processes or physical constraints of the site;
b. That the exception does not compromise the intent of this Ordinance;
c. That the exception is the minimum departure from applicable standards necessary to provide relief;
d. That the design, location, and operation of proposed on-site improvements are compatible with existing developed sites contiguous with the site of the proposed development;
e. That the granting of the exception will not substantially affect adversely the use of adjacent property;
f. That the granting of the exception will not impair the health, safety, or welfare of the inhabitants of the Town

The Town Council will hold a meeting immediately following the public hearing to consider the request. A copy of the proposed Zoning Text Amendment is available for public review on our website at www.capecharles.org under Agendas and Minutes/Town Council. Please contact the Planning Department at 757-331-2036, or by email at planner@capecharles.org if you have any questions or require additional information.

We have all missed the old Clam Slam, and then the Shuck-n-Suck, but all of that is changing this season. The first annual Crab Slam is coming to the Cape Charles harbor. It is being billed as a Celebration of Watermen, and will feature fan favorites such as featuring Live Music, Smith Island Speed Skiff Races, and of course, the boat docking contest.

The annual boat docking contest event is hosted by the Shanty and the Cape Charles Harbor & Marina.

The event kicks off Friday night, 7/30 with live music, food & beverages.

The Shanty will be closing down their parking lot on Saturday, 7/31 and Sunday 8/1 to host retail, food, wine, and beer vendors. There will be an outdoor stage for live music the duration of the event.

Sunday, 8/1, is the only day tickets are required! This is one of the biggest days of the year in Cape Charles, the Boat Docking Contest.

Get your tickets here

Town Council voted Thursday to rescind the ordinance banning short-term rentals in town. Owners are now free to begin booking guests.

Council agreed to keep the rest of the restrictions the status quo.

Restaurants are only allowed 50% capacity outdoors, and all other businesses are closed. There has been some confusion, mainly Social Media chatter, about whether barbershops and salons in town will be allowed to open.

The beach, park, and public restrooms remain closed.

“We have to circle back around to the beach,” Mayor Dize said. “When the Governor opens the beaches, then we can look at opening up the town.”

“They are already here. Day trippers, campgrounds are open. We need to be prepared. Focus on how we can protect citizens and visitors. Adhere to our guidelines. It’s naïve to think they are not coming,” Councilwoman Holloway said.

Councilman Benett stated that he was worried that the area is already stretched, “Food Lion is completely bought out…with the campgrounds open, it’s going to make it even worse. The same goes for medical.”

The most at-risk group for coronavirus infection are those in the 65 plus age group–that is a large percentage of the town’s population.

While it is recognized that folks are coming, the goal has been to try and slow traffic down, such as closing the beach and most businesses.

Governor Northam’s Phase 1 eases some of his business restrictions, but the Town Council decided to move cautiously, at least until phase 2 is announced.

Here is the official status:

• Short-term rentals are authorized to resume operations in Cape Charles.  The Council formally rescinded Ordinance 20200416, that had temporarily closed short-term rental operations.  However, operators are requested to ask tenants to bring supplies with them, so as not to over task an already strained supply of local goods for Town residents.
• Transient moorage will be accepted at the Town Harbor.  Again, boaters are asked to bring their own supplies, easing the demand on local supplies needed for Town residents.
• Most public restrooms will remain closed.   
• The park, playground, and tennis courts will remain closed.
• The fishing pier will remain closed.
• Town offices/facilities will remain closed to the public and continue to operate under the IOP Phase 2 protocols currently in place.
• The beach will remain closed in conformance with Executive Orders 55 and 61. 

With the harbor now open to transient boaters, an effort to open the harbor restroom will more than likely have to happen. In the Mason Avenue district, a porta-potty may be placed behind the library. Public Works staff will be responsible for cleaning. Full PPE protocols will be in place for the worker.

One idea floated as a way to increase social distancing, is to close off reverse-angle parking lanes on the north side of Mason. The town is waiting for VDOT to confirm if this can be done.

Public comments were about 50/50 regarding opening the town. The following comment was sent to the Mirror via email:

As a homeowner in Northampton and a regular customer at a lot of the facilities in the town I take offense to the comment of the town manager who said in his latest virus update “Like it or not the tourist season is started”. I believe that comment is unwarranted since the town’s businesses rely on the tourist season to survive. The town should cater to tourists and not a have “Like it or not “ attitude regarding the tourist season. I for one may spend my money elsewhere.

GEAR is proud to present Shrek the Musical March 13, 14 and 15 at the Palace Theatre in Cape Charles.

Times are 7:30 for Friday and Saturday, and a 3:00 pm matinee on Sunday.

Tickets Adults $18 and Students $8

It’s a “big bright beautiful world” as everyone’s favorite ogre, Shrek, leads a cast of fairytale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance. Part romance and part twisted fairy tale, Shrek JR. is an irreverently fun show with a powerful message for the whole family.