The holidays are just around the corner. Make sure to be aware of county office closures and changes to garbage and recycling pickup!
York Planners Vote to Recommend Approval of Flagpole at Casey Toyota, Mini-Golf Course
York County Planners voted at their Wednesday meeting to recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve requests at their Jan. 15 meeting for a pair of special use permits.
After a lengthy discussion, the commissioners voted 3-2 to recommend approving a request for a special use permit from Casey Toyota on East Rochambeau Drive to install a 100-foot flagpole. The pole would display a 30-foot by 50-foot American flag.
Commissioners Christopher Abel and Chairman Richard Myer Jr. voted against the resolution, while Melissa Magowan, Timothy McCulloch and Mark Suiter voted in favor.
York County ordinance permits a 75-foot flagpole, however this was deemed too short by Casey Toyota due to a curvature on Rochambeau Drive that would lead to the pole being obscured by Great Wolf Lodge. They also expressed concern about the height of trees, using their time in front of the commission to show photographs of an 80-foot crane at the dealership that was almost impossible to see due to trees.
Casey Toyota wants the flagpole to be in a certain location at the dealership, which they believe makes the height increase necessary, according to the proposal. York County Planning staffer Tim Cross, who presented the staff’s findings to the commission, said the planning staff did not recommend approving the permit.
“There is a lot of area on the other side of the dealership where a 75-foot flagpole or even a shorter flagpole would be acceptable and perfectly visible coming from either direction on Rochambeau Drive,” Cross said.
According to a representative of Casey Toyota who spoke at Wednesday’s meeting, the flagpole is only intended as a display of patriotism and not as a marketing or advertising tool.
The commission voted 5-0 to recommend approval of a special-use permit for a mini-golf course that would go in at 4301 George Washington Memorial Highway (Route 17). You can read about the proposed golf course here.
During their discussion of the proposal, the planners focused on the safety of children who would be at the proposed course and its proximity to an adjacent trailer park. The proposed course would include a buffer of standing water and vegetation between Route 17 and the course grounds, though children who would cross the street to get to nearby retail were still an area of concern for the commission.
None of the residents from the trailer park showed up to the meeting to express any reservations about the project.
Commissioners Todd Mathes and Alexander Hamilton were not in attendance.
DMV 2 Go to Visit Yorktown Public Library Tuesday
DMV 2 Go will appear at York County Public Library’s Yorktown branch tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering DMV services including vehicle registration, driver’s license renewals, license plate renewals and other services.
In the past, DMV 2 Go has appeared at military bases, colleges, universities, government centers and festivals. It will be available at the library on the third Tuesday of every month. Veterans can obtain ID cards but are required to bring their DD214 certificate of discharge.
Click here for more information.
Elementary Students and Parents Invited to ‘Holiday Glow Skate’
Elementary students and their parents are welcome at York County Parks and Recreation’s annual “Holiday Glow Skate” Friday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Dare Elementary School.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will make an appearance and will pose for complimentary photographs. Glow sticks and necklaces will be on sale.
The event is part of the normally scheduled “Skate, Rattle and Roll” program. There will be a middle school session from 9 to 11 p.m. Admission is $5 per skater, which includes skate rental. Roller blades are available for an additional $3. Snacks and soda will also be on sale.
Call the Parks and Recreation office at 890-3500 for more information.
York County Announces Holiday Closures
The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes scheduled closures of county buildings.
County offices, the York Poquoson Circuit Court, the General District Court, Juvenile & Domestic Courts, Libraries and the Waste Management Center Administrative Offices will be closed on Monday, Dec. 24, Tuesday, Dec. 25., Monday, Dec. 31 and Tuesday, Jan. 1.
The Virginia Cooperative Extension will be closed from Dec. 24 through Dec. 26 as well as Dec. 31 and Jan. 1.
The Transfer Station and Recycling Drop-Off Facility will be open Monday, Dec. 24 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will be closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. It will be open Dec. 31. The VPPSA Compost Facility will be open on Dec. 24 from 8 a.m. to noon. It will be closed on Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.
There will be no curbside garbage or recycling pickup on Dec. 25. Garbage collections scheduled for Dec. 25 will take place on Dec. 26, collections scheduled for Dec. 26 will take place on Dec. 27, collections scheduled for Dec. 27 will take place Dec. 28 and collections scheduled for Dec. 28 will take place Dec. 29.
Garbage collection scheduled for Jan. 1 will take place on Jan. 2, with subsequent pickups each pushed back a day until Jan. 5.
Recycling collections scheduled for Dec. 25 will be picked up instead on Dec. 22. Collections on Jan. 1 will take place Dec. 29.
For more information, call York County’s Public Information Office at 890-3300.
Senior Center of York to Screen ‘White Christmas’
The York County Library and the Senior Center of York will present a screening of “White Christmas” today at 1 p.m. at the senior center. Popcorn and a beverage will be served.
You can also swing by the senior center Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to use a computer, though computer classes will be in session on Tuesdays. Call 898-3807 for more information and for space availability for the classes.
Anyone who served in World War II who is interested in being a part of a panel discussion during an upcoming Culture Day should visit the senior center’s front desk and complete a brief form.
The senior center will be closed Dec. 24, 25 and 31 and on Jan. 1. The dining club will be closed from Dec. 20 through Jan. 1.
York County Schools Announce Science Fair 2013
The York County School Division Science Fair for 2013, called “What if I…” will be held January 16 at the Grafton School Complex.
Student registration and set up of exhibits starts at 4 p.m. at Grafton Middle School. Judging runs from 4:30 to 7:15 p.m. The public can view the exhibits from 7:15 to 8 p.m. The awards ceremony is at 8 p.m. in Grafton High School Auditorium.
Concessions will be sold by the Grafton High School Athletic Boosters.
