The York County Board of Supervisors will consider whether bed and breakfasts in the county can host large-scale weddings, receptions and other commercial ventures by permit at a busy meeting Tuesday.
The matter went before the York County Planning Commission in June, when it was recommended that the supervisors approve the proposal in a 6-0 vote.
The proposal would have bed and breakfast establishments seek out a special-use permit to host the functions, which is the county’s way of ensuring that any concerns from the county and from properties that surround the bed and breakfast can be addressed before permission is granted.
The current regulations permit bed and breakfast establishments to host weddings and other receptions, but only registered guests of the bed and breakfasts can attend. By changing the regulations, non-registered guests would be able to attend. Specific information, such as number of guests, parking and hours for ceremonies, would be dealt with on a case-by-case basis when the bed and breakfasts would approach the supervisors for a permit.
While seeking a permit under the proposed regulations, a public hearing would be held for anyone who had any concerns about a bed and breakfast near them hosting a large function.
The owners of Baytree Manor, a bed and breakfast in Seaford, said York County has a “massive shortage” of wedding venues during the Planning Commission meeting. They said most ceremonies would be held from May to October.
“Besides being a good idea, we’ve had rogue weddings, pirate weddings happening out there,” said Planning Commissioner Christopher Abel. “If we can regularize it, have some rules, make them fit within the scheme, that makes sense. The special-use permit process will allow for tailoring to each property involved.”
The meeting begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday at York Hall.
Other Matters Before the Board
The supervisors will also consider whether to change the county’s zoning ordinance to allow independent-living senior housing by permit on land in the county that’s designated economic opportunity.
Economic opportunity is a designation that’s primarily associated with commercial and tourism development. Areas zoned economic opportunity in the county include the Marquis at Williamsburg and the area in upper York County that features Casey Toyota.
Independent-living senior housing is currently allowed by permit in economic opportunity if it is built in a converted hotel or motel.
“Given the location and physical characteristics of some of the County’s vast amount of EO-zoned property, and the absence of school impacts associated with senior housing, it would seem reasonable to at least provide the opportunity for consideration of Independent Senior Housing as a new project also (i.e., not just as a hotel/motel conversion),” said County Administrator James McReynolds in a memorandum.
The board will also consider whether to authorize an extension of the county’s sewer system to Yorktown Crescent, a mixed-use development going in near the intersection of George Washington Memorial Highway (Route 17) and Fort Eustis Boulevard.
