Hotel Cape Charles developer David Gammino attempted to change the zoning on Randolph from residential to commercial, which would have allowed the hotel to expand into lots that are adjacent to quiet single-family dwellings.
According to staff, rezoning the property from R-1 to C-1 in order to extend the hotel to Randolph Avenue could produce more traffic, parking, and loading activities along Randolph Avenue in this area, which 4 of 4 primarily consists of existing residential dwellings. Essentially, it means destroying the home town neighborhood feel.
The proposed extension of the hotel would still allow for shared parking, therefore exempting the hotel from complying with the town’s parking requirements.
Staff recommended denial of the zoning map amendment. In light of staff’s opposition, the application was withdrawn before the Planning Commission could weigh in.
The Hotel Cape Charles has been instrumental in the current Cape Charles renaissance. — David Gammino
Gammino and hotel are not new to controversy.
In 2011, the hotel was refused a certificate of occupancy for trying to pull a fast one on the Historic District Review Board. Gammino originally submitted plans to the Historic District Review Board showing
balconies constructed of wrought iron, which is what the Board approved.
Instead, the hotel was constructed with glass-walled balconies.
In a letter to Town Planner Tom Bonadeo, Gammino apologized for not sticking to the original plan. “In retrospect, I should have consulted with Town officials . . . my assumptions regarding historic guidelines are informed by many historic tax credit projects, but they are clearly inaccurate with respect to the Town standards. For this, I accept responsibility and apologize.”
Town Council eventually dropped to its knees and overturned the HDRB’s decision, and allowed the hotel to open. This led to two-thirds of the Historic District Review Board to resign in protest.
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In a residential area, once a business, yes a hotel is a business opens up it destroys the feeling , the ambiance of home. Brings in all types of people. Never feels the same. Then you have another business that moves in. Sorry there is too much open areas in commercial property to open a hotel.
Well, this is one of those things that would take special considerations, and perhaps specialized zoning changes, to make all parties happy. I personally believe this is a very nice hotel. I think it makes a wonderful presence on Mason Ave. Cape Charles being a tourist town, there certainly is nothing wrong with that. Therefore, if allowed to expand PROPERLY , we should be able to presume and expect that their ongoing business model would help create more tourism.
Therefore I’d like to see The Town and it’s citizens find a way to support this business. It helps support the town. Should that door swing both ways ? If the door does swing both ways, then both sides win. This idea was rejected. I challenge anyone to tell me how this promotes proper growth and a brighter future.
My point is that I believe both sides lost.
Going forward I would like to see/hear that some expansion of a specialized commercial zone be allowed. An EXCEPTION to the existing code. Don’t expand commercial all the way up the street. Perhaps 2 lots up Randolph. That’s all. 2 lots up the road from Mason. A mini encroachment. For exactly what ? I’m not sure. Talk it through. The view of the back sides of Mason Ave. and it’s businesses already affect Randolph Ave. Proper and limited commercial encroachment could assist tourism and the neighborhood. Perhaps a public parking lot ? That doesn’t remove the hotel from parking rules. It helps everyone park. A one lot extension of the hotel ? I don’t even see anything wrong with that. Sure it would change Randolph Ave. a little bit. In my opinion, the existing hotel is a very residential appearing bldg. It actually may be one of the top 5 bldgs. on Mason Ave. Keep that up and no harm would come to any property values. Increased tourism in the town would lead to increased property values.
I am not surprised that the Residential Zoning in the Historic District is under pressure to become more commercial. The Town Council has plans to make the two Residential lots behind the Library a parking lot thus destroying the quiet neighborhood on Randolph Avenue. Too many houses in the Historic District are owned by speculators who don’t live in the District but do a cheap renovation and turn a quick buck on summer rentals. I don’t object to people earning a living but little by little Cape Charles is changing and not always for the better. Too much emphasis is being placed on the wants and needs of speculators and seasonal transients at the expense of full time residents. Currently the Town is entertaining the idea of selling a valuable Waterfront asset (the land under the Shanty) at a bargain basement price to a group of investors. How does this sale benefit the taxpayers of Cape Charles? It seems that all of the benefits of this deal accrue to the purchasers. How will this giveaway impact future development in the Harbor District. What is the impact of easements on adjacent Town owned property (Town Marina Parking Lot) that will affect the future design of Harbor District? The current Comprehensive Plan was done in 2006, long before anyone knew the railroad property would become available and before Bayshore Concrete decided to close operations. Shouldn’t we have a PLAN before selling off assets? Shouldn’t the Town Council focus on serving the voters who put them in office instead of business special interests.?