The Cape Charles Planning Commission approved text changes to the Town Ordinance that would allow for some light industrial uses in the harbor district. Part of the proposed uses include manufacturing, assembly and storage of
products.
The changes to the the current zoning district regulations for GBI-H1 involve altering a provision (Section 3.14 (F) (7) that restricts light industrial use. According to the town staff, these regulations need to be considered for removal from the district regulations altogether.
The majority of public comments were against the expansion. Citizens continue to have concerns about the dust and noise generated by the men working at the concrete plant. The hearing lasted over three hours.
Note: The request by South Port Investors, LLC to rezone 1201 Bayshore Road for a proposed use of manufacturing, assembly and storage of products came as the result of a proposed sale to Coastal Concrete which plans to expand local operations in the area. The parcel is approximately 11.79 acres. The sale of the property was contingent upon getting the zoning ordinance changes.
Below is the resolution passed on May 20th by Town Council signaling its intent to review and take up the proposed zoning changes. This will be taken up at the next Town Council Regular Meeting on July 22nd:
Brand says
Here we go. Hang on to your hats..!
Cape Charles Progressive says
Cape Charles residents never cease to amaze me. The same folks who vehemently argue with the Historic District Review Board that they have the right to do whatever they want with their property regardless of the feelings of their neighbors and the HDRB Regulations are the same ones who want to limit the Pre-Cast Concrete Plant from developing their property and providing hundreds of jobs. Everyone wants cheap power and good infrastructure as long as the means to do it is not in my backyard. The Town Council should approve the zoning changes as soon as possible so Cape Charles can lead the way to Saving the Planet with renewable, sustainable wind farms. Cape Charles residents should stop being so selfish and think of the children!
Stuart Bell says
There is not a damn thing ‘Historic’ about Cape Charles or it’s homes. There are many fine Historic Colonial Homes on The Shore.
Go visit them and find out what ‘Historic’ is all about. They open a few on the Garden Tour for you to see.
I am quite sure you will see a difference.
Publius Americanus says
https://blog.ucsusa.org/james-gignac/wind-turbine-blades-recycling/
How much are you willing to pay for that power?
Chip Moore says
I support the concrete plant expansion. This town and county need an industry with decent paying jobs. Jobs that will attract families as fulltime residents/property owners/tax payers.
As of now this county’s industries are limited…watermen, agriculture and tourism. Growth opportunities for the first two are limited.
As for tourism the town can’t seem to handle what they have now. There aren’t enough employees for the shops and restaurants. Just walk down Mason and look at the help wanted signs or the hour plus wait at any of our fine restaurants. The town’s beach can’t handle the number of weekend visitors because it is small and shrinking.
Maybe a strong, growing concrete plant will attract families who will live here fulltime. This may help alleviate the tax burden that is put on all of us. Maybe those families will have teenage kids who could work at restaurants or in retail shops. Maybe those fulltime residents will support the local businesses in the off season. As of now we have an aging fulltime community with no younger growth.
Part time property owners do not pay town or county personal property tax on their cars, trucks, rvs, boats, etc. or income tax but a fulltime resident does.
Just a few thoughts…I would rather hear a saftey alarm than deal with a rental house full of loud obnoxious vacationers. I would rather pass a licensed commercial truck driver on the street vs a drunk tourist or a child driving a golf cart. As for the dust clouds in the harbor area, most of it comes from people driving too quickly into the parking lot at the Shanty/Town marina. Also, there is lots of noise/back-up alarms coming from the construction equipment working in Bay Creek (we just saw/heard it today). That equipment did not have any “muffling” modifications. Is anyone positive that the offending noises are truly just coming from the concrete plant??
tim kellam says
leave the concrete plant alone!! people that move here want to change everything .move back where you came from!
Stuart Bell says
HEAR!!!!! HEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!