FAR (Floor Area Ratio), Parks Master Plan, Water/Sewer Fund Allocation, Subdivision Ordinance, Senior Water, and Sewer, discounts and emergency water sewer system upgrade purchase. Were all discussed at Wednesday’s meeting.
Council Member Announcements
Planning Commission and Housing (Self Sullivan) – The Housing Authority is currently helping a resident get a new roof, VML working on 3 projects: sovereign immunity, remote meetings and privacy of data collection.
Public Safety (Moncure) – CBVFD got a $15k grant to use towards equipment.
Parks and Rec (Allison) – Looking for members, announced events such as the Rod Run to the Beach and Water Fest.
Public Works (Wood) – Central Drainage Area Project on Schedule.
Economic Development (Williams) – The EDC met last week and discussed: Workforce housing survey, FAR Floor Area Ratio issue builders are having, Parking concerns, Water/ Sewer Tap Fees, helping students with careers, streamline of CUP process, Heart and Soul project, Labor Day festival, Rogue food trucks, and security costs of events.
Schools (Roberson) – We are off to a great start with a full pre-K class and 380 students at the elementary school. The student count is currently being evaluated and is important because the state gives us $10k per student. Some classes are at capacity. The school has put out it’s 5-year strategic plan.
Admin (Schick) -Thanks for the well wishes, mentioned several events and COMREL meetings.
Town Manager Update – Central Drainage project is on schedule, trash toters will arrive on 8/21 and be delivered by 10/1. Mr. Wood asked about the rogue food trucks and what could be done. The answer was it depends on if on public or private property. A $50 parking ticket could be issued but there are other options also. One example is ice cream truck parking for extended time when they are to continually move; some trucks are not licensed to operate in CB. More to come.
FAR Floor Area Ratio discussion - Council referred Article 6 to PC for review on 7/19 and they asked for clarification as to what we actually wanted. Council basically asked for the FAR (previously not enforced and currently limited which is causing builder issues now that it is being enforced). In a nut shell they want to be able to build bigger houses. PC wanted to dig deeper by addressing workforce housing, multi-family homes etc. I asked if we are currently having major issues and Mr. Dooley said not really but the mayor said that’s because we didn’t previously enforce. Nonconforming lots were brought up (2500 sqft, half the normal lot size and mainly between 9th and Forest but also some on 4th St. The mayor said the current FAR is .4 and some examples she found were just a little over .42, .50 so we just need to address this part now so builders can get plans approved and be in compliance. Caryn wanted the whole Article to be addressed but, in the end, Council agreed to just look at adjusting the FAR. I’m hopeful there is no hidden agenda here (pardon me for being skeptical but I’m really not sure what else may be at play here).
Parks and Recreation Master Plan, Berry Dunn – This company has been studying our parks for the last few months and are nearing the end of the project. During the presentation we were shown all the survey and study results. I’m not really sure how to feel about this but I was surprised Eleanor (EP) Park was listed as a top priority and the top design pick was a heart-shaped path with a pier that comes to a point out in the water. Also benches for EP rated extremely high and it’s a strange coincidence that a dozen benches were already purchased for the park many months ago. I stated to Berry Dunn that these plans were all well and good but the town recently decided to remove a full-time position from PnR department and we just had a major sewer spill so we have graver priorities. I said please make sure this plan is realistic and let’s take baby steps to ensure we can be successful and not waste the money we spent on this plan. The plan will be ready in 6-8 weeks.
Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors (BOS), Mr. Trivett – County administrator position has been advertised, he stated we’ve had 6% growth in the last 10 years and a $78M budget with 19% unassigned. Also 5 BOS seats will be up next year.
Public Comment
Citizen – Neighbor to Neighbor now has a place to store equipment and ready to help those in need. Also please add the trash ordinance to the town’s website.
Citizen – Agrees we need to take baby steps with park plan and does not think we really need walking paths.
Write in – Please take time to look back and evaluate building in town and the CUP process. Many examples of parking issues around Dodson town houses and other places. Home owners are parking on sidewalks and in Torrey Smith Park for example and we need to look at what can be done going forward.
PUBLIC HEARING, Ordinance No. 745, Amends various text & regulatory provisions contained in the Colonial Beach Subdivision Ordinance, Director of Community Development & Zoning
This was to approve edits from the Planning Commission to the subdivision ordinance. I did some investigating to ensure the benefit here was to the community and not builders or government officials and was assured this was minor tweaks and did not impact the FAR or setbacks and was mainly to bring us into compliance with state code. Vote 7-0
Ordinance No. 746, Amends the Town of Colonial Beach Code of Ordinances, Chapter 21 Water and Sewers, Section 21-88.1 Senior Citizen Water and Sewer Discount, (A) Eligibility Requirements, Town Attorney – This was to adjust the discount rates that have not been changed in many years. One citizen suggested we make the discount 30% vs a set amount so we would not have to keep adjusting (council discussed and made that change). One citizen asked if we could simplify the application process and I agreed and asked if that was possible (town clerk said yes, she was already working on this). Vote 7-0 to pass
Ordinance No. 747, Amends the Town of Colonial Beach Code of Ordinances, Chapter 21 Water and Sewers, Section 21-71 (a, b and d) and Section 21-80 (a and b) to re[1]allocated 5% of utility revenue from water fund to the sewer fund, Director of Finance – This was to adjust the money allocation due to the fact that sewer is more costly to operate than water. I asked if the water/ sewer contingency fund was set up in 2019 like it was supposed to be and I was told by the CFO, NO and she wasn’t CFO at the time of the water/sewer increase so wasn’t sure why it didn’t get set up. Strange but true. The fund was supposed to have a 20% contingency set up so we could replace things like the SCADA system. Vote 7-0
Request for SCADA funding for WWTP, Emergency Procurement, Director of Public Works – This was to replace the system that monitors the sewer plant. The cost was $150k plus $10k for an annual maintenance contract. I stated we got a list of needs in April and this was on the 2025 request and we were told the system is not working and we needed it. My question is why was it prioritized for 2025 and not sooner? I asked for the balance of the Westmoreland settlement funds and was told $679k which means we had the money prior but now we have to pay an additional $35k plus staff time due to the delay and recent spill. This is another good reason to start a Public Works committee. Vote was 7-0
Note: The town is also adding a backup communications system (alarm) to the sewer system for $29,950. This was not on the request because it is under the $30k threshold needing council approval. The funds will come from the Westmoreland settlement as well.
Please email or call with questions or comments:
540-604-4335
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