MINUTES NORTHAMPTON COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION March 16, 2011 This was a recessed meeting of the Northampton County Planning Commission held on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 in conference room #2 at the former Northampton County Middle School located at 7247 Young Street in Machipongo, Va. The main purpose of the meeting was to conduct a work session on review of the comprehensive plan, Part 2 Data, specifically Section 7 Community Facilities & Services; and Part 1, Section 6 Community Facilities & Services Plan time allowing. Those present were Chair David Fauber, Vice Chair Martina Coker, Roberta Kellam, John Wescoat, Jr., Michael Ward, Severn Carpenter, and Mary Miller. Members absent were David Kabler and Robert Meyers. Also attending were Sandra G. Benson, Director of Planning & Zoning; and Kay Downing, Administrative Assistant. The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m. and a quorum established. The agenda was reviewed and an Item 4 was added to allow a brief report on the first meeting of the Steering Committee by Commissioner Kellam. Motion to accept as revised was made by Commissioner Carpenter and seconded by Commissioner Kellam. The motion carried unanimously 7 to 0. Commissioner Kellam reported on the March 7 meeting of the Steering Committee or Executive Committee as the two terms have been used interchangeably. She noted that Walkley Johnson will be the liaison for the Advisory Group; Supervisor Willie Randall will be the liaison for the Board of Supervisors; and she will be the liaison for the planning commission. She added that beginning April 4 the committee would like to receive monthly updates on the commission s review of the comp plan. Ms. Benson stated that the Board of Supervisors still needs to provide a directive to the committee and that staff will be presenting a written report to the Board concerning the March 7 meeting. She added that certain Board members would like for the Economic Section of the plan to be reviewed and updated first if deemed necessary. The commission continued its review of Part II, Section 7, and beginning with 7.4 Communications. Recessed Meeting of March 16, 2011 Minutes as approved 1
The following recommendations were made to update the current comprehensive plan: Section 7.4 Communications Add broadband information Update network information including WHRO Update radio information Include NOAA weather station information Include the publication Mosaic Add county and town webpage information Include esva.net information as being a news source Section 7.5 Electric Utilities Delete Delmarva Power references Update information on transmission lines, supplier, ODEC ownership of transfer station or transmission lines, capacity issues, PJM information (Commissioner Kellam will provide current information.) Section 7.6 Natural Gas: Delete 7.7 Water & Wastewater 7.7.1 Municipal (Public) Water Systems Get updated information from the Ground Water Committee Cape Charles: Include information related to reduction in volume of withdrawal permit; update all information such as 1930 system now abandoned, 1992 system or what is now in use, note that DEQ has a town water withdrawal permit application that was filed 3 years ago (Commissioner Fauber will provide updated information.) Eastville: Update with current information such as the new county complex is not served by the town s water system Exmore: Update with current information; page 7 5 the second paragraph under Exmore should be placed under its own separate title: update PSA information Recessed Meeting of March 16, 2011 Minutes as approved 2
7.7.2 Municipal (Public) Wastewater Treatment Systems Cape Charles: Update information (Dave Fauber will provide current data.) Exmore: Update and include information on the two systems Include number of water and sewer hook ups Bayview: Investigate the data on this system for inclusion or not 7.7.3 Private Wastewater Treatment (Septic Systems) Add information on the hospital wastewater system in Nassawadox Add information on PDC program to eliminate pit privies and cesspools that still exist Add data from Health Department on the number of failing septic systems Update any other data Qualify statement about septic systems and groundwater pollution vulnerable shallow ground water (Columbia Aquifer) Include alternative septic system information including where needed and how many versus traditional systems Delete the last paragraph in 7.7.3 7.8 Solid Waste Management Totally update information in all sections 7.8.1 Collection 7.8.2 Disposal Update and add information on convenience centers, transfer station Update all information Include availability of private collection services 7.8.3 Recycling Update with current data Include take it or leave it program at collection centers 7.9 Emergency Services & Law Enforcement 7.9.1 Fire Services Recessed Meeting of March 16, 2011 Minutes as approved 3
Update information Make sure Table number is corrected from 7.9.2 to 7.9.1 Update equipment data in Table 7.9.2 Emergency Medical Services Update information and describe services better Describe what zone coverage is 7.9.3 Public Safety & Law Enforcement Update and include the Town of Eastville data At this time Commissioner Coker presented a memo dated March 10, 2011 from the Hospital Task Force advocating a comprehensive medical plan that covers both Northampton and Accomack Counties. Attached were maps, one that depicted a 20 mile radius from the hospital location in Nassawadox and another that depicted the radius from the proposed new location known as the Wharton property. Commissioner Coker encouraged everyone to attend the public meeting on April 14, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Eastern Shore Community College to oppose Riverside s Certificate of Public Need (COPN) application as currently submitted. A short break was taken at 8:32 p.m. The commission continued its review of the comprehensive plan. Section 7.9.3 Public Safety & Law Enforcement Update data in its entirety including a new police department for Eastville (the Town Sgt.), include new county jail facilities Check other towns for updated information, Cape Charles has 4 officers on two shifts and 4 patrol vehicles. Delete next to the last paragraph that begins In summary. (bottom of page 7 11) In the last paragraph delete the words, is fortunate (top of page 7 12) Include FBI, ICE and DEA in the Norfolk District Recessed Meeting of March 16, 2011 Minutes as approved 4
Section 7.10 Government Services Update, expand and enumerate all county administration departments as well as constitutional officers and their functions. Section 7.11 Hospital/Health Services Update and include doctors to population ratio Reference lack of mental health services Delete last 2 paragraphs in Section 7.11 Research status of Delmarva Rural Ministries then delete if deemed appropriate Include assistance programs for migrant population By consensus the commission decided to add a new subsection in Part 2, Chapter 3 Population & Demographics using health and poverty data (teen pregnancy, school drop out rates, etc.) including its analysis to be inserted in Part 1, Section 6 Community Facilities & Services Plan. Section 7.12 Libraries Research name change of the Northampton Memorial Library in Cape Charles Include Friends of the Library information Update any other data 7.13 Parks & Recreation 7.13.1 Indiantown Park rename to Northampton County Expand and describe recreation programs including participant data Check status of county golf course Check on planning standards for recreational facilities Include map of facilities, Winter 2011 PCJ Cultural Asset Mapping In Strategies: Part 1, Section 6 include African American Trail, historic cemeteries information Add new Section 7.13.4 Trails Recessed Meeting of March 16, 2011 Minutes as approved 5
List all trails including Cape Charles multi use, Department of Conservation & Recreation STIP trail; birding, biking, kayak water trail, horse trail riding, and TNC Brownsville trail 7.13.2 Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge Update and include months of operation for tours of Fisherman s Island (Oct. through March) 7.13.3 Kiptopeke State Park Update and elaborate on services and recreation available: banding station, camping, boat ramp, Yurt, beaches, fishing pier, nature trial, etc. Include statement about this park s popularity in relation to other parks 7.13.4 Town Facilities rename Facilities in Towns Cape Charles: update and include skateboard park, proposed multi use trail around the town, 125 boat slip marina, new town park with gazebo, move golfing reference from Section 7.13.5 second paragraph to this section, move Bay Creek Marina information found at the bottom of page 7 17 and top of 7 18 in Section 7.13.5 Boat Ramp & Beach Access Eastville: update and (delete like lot in first sentence) Nassawadox: update and add The Randy Custis Memorial Park that includes baseball, soccer and football fields Exmore: update information (delete and the Town is currently constructing a driving range. 7.13.5 Boat Ramps & Beach Access rename Boat Ramps & Marinas and Beach Access is to be made a separate section Move paragraph 2 to 7.13.4 Facilities in Town under Cape Charles Delete Kings Creek from the third paragraph, second line; and delete Bay Creek Marina information found at the bottom of page 7 17 and top of 7 18 Add Wise Point The commission ended its discussion at Section 7.14 Schools & Education. The next recessed meeting was scheduled on March 30, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. with the Board of Supervisors. Recessed Meeting of March 16, 2011 Minutes as approved 6
Commissioner Coker noted that she would be absent from the March 30 and April 5 meetings. Recess There being no other business the meeting was recessed upon motion by Commissioner Kellam and second by Commissioner Wescoat at 10:04 p.m. until March 30, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. Chair Secretary Recessed Meeting of March 16, 2011 Minutes as approved 7