HCOD Stifles Gloucester Business Growth

During the few years the toll was removed from the Coleman Bridge, Gloucester experienced a growth spurt that will not be experienced again until un-tolled access returns. That growth spurt was used as justification for creating the HCOD. In reality the HCOD was established to satisfy aesthetic and financial gain desires of a few rich persons. What the HCOD actually did was stifle business growth and remove control of property use from the owners. How does this benefit the people of Gloucester or prospective businesses? It doesn't. During the time the HCOD was set in place the economy was good and people were not paying attention to government. Fortunately, more people are paying attention now.

In a recent Gloucester-Mathews Gazette Journal opinion letter David Peebles mentioned the numerous years of support of the HCOD by the planning commission, board of supervisors and administration. Statistics indicate we the people have not seen any significant return from the implementation and enforcement of the HCOD. In fact, the HCOD has caused the County to lose prospective and established businesses.

Mr. Peebles’ assertion that the EDA, administration and the HCOD are responsible for the existence of good restaurants, shopping centers and other businesses in Gloucester seems to be somewhat distorted. The truth of the matter is; population growth was the driving factor behind those businesses coming to Gloucester.

Mr. Peebles also implied the old Page site is now available to become part of a 100 acre business park. The citizens of Gloucester have an urgent need for a permanent place to take care of and store school buses, county vehicles, grounds equipment and to house the public utilities department. The old Page site is the most practical and financially sensible location to construct such a public infrastructure facility.

I agree with the current efforts being made to overhaul the HCOD. If it is done the right way; property owners will regain control over the use of their property and there will be more opportunity for prospective businesses.

Kenneth E. Hogge, Sr.

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Gloucester, VA Board of Supervisors Video, June, 2014

We apologize for the extreme delay on us getting this up.  We have been very tied up with research on our new Unleashing Histories Mysteries series that it has put us way behind on a great deal of information we have been working on.  Most all of that is now caught up these days.

York Herald, Gloucester, VA June 2014 7 from Chuck Thompson

Information from Mr Bazzani, BoS, York District.

Now regarding Parks and Recreation division and Woodville Park.  Who might benefit from water and sewer going to that park from route 17?  Well let's look at what the county public info tells us.

The following property is located directly across Bray’s Point Road from the entrance to Woodville Park.

RPC: 41829, PEEBLES INVESTMENTS LLC, Map#: 045-521 Acres: 1.92, Assessed: $23,100.00, Farm, Sale Price: $0.00, Grantor: David L. Peebles, Sale Date:12/20/2012

RPC: 41828, Name: PEEBLES INVESTMENTS LLC, Map#: 045-520, Acres: 1.00, Assessed: $2,200.00, Farm, Sale Price: $0.00, Grantor: David L. Peebles, SaleDate: 12/20/2012

RPC: 41830, Name: PEEBLES INVESTMENTS LLC, Map#: 045-522, Acres: 19.77, Assessed: $9,900.00, Farm, Sale Price: $0.00, Grantor: David L. Peebles, SaleDate: 12/20/2012

RPC: 30195, Name: PEEBLES INVESTMENTS LLC, Map#: 045-519, Acres: 11.45, Assessed: $7,500.00, Farm, Sale Price: $0.00, Grantor: David L. Peebles, SaleDate: 12/20/2012 

The following property connects to the Peebles Investments property and is divided by Glass Road.

RPC: 32797, Name: GREAVES, NELLIE D &, GREAVES MARITAL TRUST, Map# 46-14, Acres: 362.30, Assessed: $1,140,900.00, Farm, Sale Price: $0.00, Grantor: GREAVES, NELLIE D &, Sale Date:10/28/2013

Woodville Park Area, Gloucester, VA, Overlay Map from Chuck Thompson

The above map overlay with properties that would benefit from water and sewer being extended down to the park at taxpayer expenses.  Rather interesting.  Let's hope our BoS's have enough sense to see the issues here and not vote in favor of this.  The alternatives sounded much better and are more sound for county tax payers.

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