Regulations for Bottoms Bridge Overlay District get favorable approval from NK commissioners; forwarded to board of supervisors

A proposed set of regulations aimed at governing the appearance of development along the main arterial highways (New Kent Highway and Pocahontas Trail) in the Bottoms Bridge area of New Kent has received a favorable recommendation from New Kent planning commissioners and now heads to the county’s board of supervisors.

The May 18 public hearing addressed proposals that were made by county community development director Matthew Smolnik at New Kent Planning Commission’s monthly meeting in April. Smolnik said the proposed regulations are designed to protect the aesthetic and visual character of land, public health, safety, and welfare by managing growth in the Bottoms Bridge district of New Kent.

But Quinton resident Mark Daniel argued, saying that the issue was something that was prompted.

“This is a reaction, not planning,” Daniel said during the public comment period.

Daniel countered Smolnik’s initial presentation with one displaying current businesses residing in the Bottoms Bridge district.

“A lot of these businesses would not meet county code under this proposed regulation,” Daniel argued. “You can see each of these businesses would not meet one or more of the changes that are recommended.”

Smolnik rebutted, saying that while some of the pictures showed by Daniel were correct, others were classified as facades.

Other proposed changes in the ordinance aimed at regulating architectural design and signage. Also included are steps for preliminary site plan or subdivision approval along with the process a developer must undergo to seek exceptions to the proposed requirements.

More concerns arose about how the plans affected businesses if they chose to add to their current facility or rebuild, such as in case of a fire or disaster. Smolnik indicated that any new changes would have to adhere to the regulations but there are exceptions. Current businesses that are in New Kent do not have to conform to the new regulations as they were built under previous county code and guidelines.

Commissioner Richard Kontny said the proposal is a much needed change for that area of the county.

“It’s not much of a burden,” he commented. “New businesses are coming into the Bottoms Bridge area and seeing how it is growing.

“They [new businesses] want that area to look good, just like we want it to look good for New Kent,” Kontny concluded.

Commissioners approved the proposed regulation with a favorable recommendation 8-0-1 to send to county supervisors.