The Town has been in conversations with a representative of Lot 4 Holdings, LLC, and its Managing Principle Lance Marine regarding a potential workforce housing development. There are several obstacles, including several proffers on the Keck Property lots off of Old Cape Charles Road. For the project to move forward, the developer would need for these proffers to be lifted. Town Planner Katie Nunez indicates that if Town Council did not move to remove its proffer, the developer would more than likely withdraw from the project.
With the thumbscrews firmly in place, Town Council approved the removal of the proffers.
Removal of the proffer protections has raised some legitimate concerns.
At the Planning Commission public hearing, Jody Bundy of 2510 Old Cape Charles Road stated that she feels that there is insufficient information about the developer, as well what the so-called project is really all about. She stated that the Town should not do anything about the current proffers until more details are uncovered and released, hopefully through a complete presentation, including a plan of concept that actually states just what it means to label something ‘Workforce Housing’, including what the actual proposed density is going to be.
Mark Bundy of 2510 Old Cape Charles Road stated that he believes the Town is moving too quickly
on this matter and should consider entertaining other offers of development besides this one.
New development and housing are included in the Town’s Strategic Plan. Commissioner Paul Grossman has stated on other occasions that the proffers “hamper the Town’s position and ensuring they have as flexible a position on property they own to evaluate how best to use the land but that there is no current discussion with the Town concerning their lot”.
The Town does hold some leverage over the development. The project will need sewer and water, and that will come from Cape Charles. If Town Council is unhappy with the project, there will be now water and sewer hookups.
The proposed development will also be a Planned Unit Development (PUD), which will include its own PUD ordinance, including buffers, roads, entrances, and other protections.
The Town of Cape Charles is not the only owner of the property. Other owners of the land are: General Builders, LLC acting through its principal representative Angelo Manuel, and CEM Investments, LLC who recently purchased the developed one acre lot from General Builders, LLC that fronts on Old Cape Charles Road.
The Town Planner notes that all current owners would be supportive of removing the proffers.
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So typical all the poor folks complain about lack of what they claim is needed (in this case housing) but then want to squeeze the developers until it’s no longer affordable. And the wheels go round and round.
Obviously you have never been poor…I bet you have never had to go to bed hungry.
What were the proffers?
This is interesting. The town council’s past record would indicate, that this is not going to end well for the people of Cape Charles.
Don’t be fooled by the project name. Workforce housing, for who? The people of the Eastern Shore or immigrants?
Isn’t that what the old Air Force housing was for, on Stone road?
And anytime Angelo Manuel is involved in a project on the shore, you better proceed with caution.
Like I said, it’s interesting.