The two steps Kingsmill Resort gained toward developing a riverwalk and pier in November did little to sway the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, which rejected the riverwalk.
The Virginia Marine Resources Commission met Tuesday to review Xanterra-owned Kingsmill Resort’s proposal to build a 650-foot long, 12-foot wide walkway over the James River as a piece of a sidewalk project that would connect the resort to the marina in Kingsmill. Additionally, the resort requested approval for a 90-foot long pier that would be 6 feet wide and would have a 60-foot T section at the end. The pier and boardwalk were planned to have gazebos on them.
Because Kingsmill Resort is privatizing its amenities, only resort guests and club members would have access to the pier and boardwalk.
The commission voted to approve the proposed pier but to deny the boardwalk. Early on in the discussion about the riverwalk, Commissioner Bobby Beck, a Williamsburg resident, said he supported the project because a connection between the resort and marina was needed. In the end, he and the other commissioners voted against the boardwalk.
Kingsmill residents Michael McGurk, John Nyland and Susan Griffin spoke in opposition to the project. College of William and Mary Professor Emeritus Dr. Gerald Johnson also spoke to oppose of the project.
Johnson said a sandy beach existed about 40 years ago in the spot where the boardwalk was proposed. Now, what exists is a muddy bottom that runs into a rocky shoreline; the shoreline has degraded the bottom and made it impossible for a beach to exist. The muddy bottom would only get worse if the boardwalk were built, Johnson said.
McGurk opposed Kingsmill’s plan, saying it went against state and local plans that call for increased public access to the water.
Nyland, who said he is a member of Kingsmill’s golf club, said he would never have the need to drive a golf cart over the water, nor would anyone else. The boardwalk was proposed to be wide enough to accommodate golf carts driving from cottages at the resort to the marina.
Commissioner John “Ed” Tankard III, of Northampton, said the boardwalk would provide “frivolous access.” He said in this case he saw the use of public waterways being designated for private use when there is already a convenient way to travel from the resort to the marina– an existing road. Tankard put forward a motion to allow the pier, but to deny the boardwalk. With the other commissioners in agreement, that motion carried.
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