Royal Farms Submits New Site Plans for Kiptopeke Project

Buried in the October 11th packet for the Northampton Board of Supervisors Work Session is a letter sent by Robert Occhifinto (Peacock Holdings Virginia LLC) dated September 2, 2016 and addressed to Mr. Dale Pusey, VDOT. The letter addresses the new Royal Farms project at Kiptopeke. At issue is that the Royal Farms project has made curb cuts which essentially creates a shared entrance with the existing Kiptopeke Inn. Mr. Occifinto’s issue is that he never agreed to, nor wants Royal Farms to use his property as an entrance to the convenience store. Click to read Occhifinto Letter

Dale Pusey of VDOT did respond, sending correspondence on September 22, 2016 to Jack Whisted, Royal Farms Engineer explaining VDOT requirements for highway revisions to the original site plans. Essentially saying work outside of what is contained in the original site plans would be rejected by VDOT.

Earlier this week, sources informed the Cape Charles Mirror that Royal Farms submitted a new set of site plans. The Mirror contacted District 1 Supervisor Granville Hogg, and he confirmed later this week that the updated plans had been submitted. Previous discussions with Hogg raised questions about the validity of the original set of site plans. Hogg contends that while they were ‘DEEMED TO BE APPROVED’, due to revisions that took place up through 2004, they were for various reasons, such as incomplete traffic safety analysis, never fully completed. Given the project has remained dormant for so long, there is debate as to whether this constitutes a ‘LACK OF DILIGENT PURSUIT’, and if is so, whether the developer has lost their vested right to develop the property. Click to read Whisted Letter from Royal Farms

Since the plans have been revised again, it becomes a question whether to actually consider this a revision, or a whole new set. While VDOT is currently reviewing the new site plans, the Mirror contacted the County to ask what role they would be playing since the site plans have been revised. Chairman Spencer Murray responded by email, “Melissa Kellam has received a set of revisions to the original Royal Farms site plans. Her responsibility is to review the changes and decide the nature and extent of the revisions and their significance to zoning, erosion and sediment control and stormwater management. Preliminarily, Melissa has reviewed the revisions and has found no issues with the requested changes. Revised site plans are frequently received and are carefully reviewed to be certain they are still in compliance with any prior approvals. This is the standard county process.”

Chairman Murray also stated that a quick look at the revised plans appears to show they do not address or request any revisions to entrances, and while Ms. Kellam reviews the revised plans, the County would “wait for an opinion from VDOT if any revisions to the highway plan are requested.”