THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 2, 1995 TAG: 9501310130
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SCOTT McCASKEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
The buzz of jet skis may be a little louder in Ocean View this summer.
The Planning Commission voted Jan. 26 to change the zoning of a Bay-front site from residential to commercial, making way for a boat and jet-ski rental facility. If City Council approves the recommendation, the business would open at 9710 Chesapeake St., south of the public beach. Owner Ronald Boone Jr., a 22-year-old Ocean View resident, would rent jet skis, sailboats, fishing boats, wind-surfers and kayaks.
Though the planning department advised the commission to deny the proposal, contending that such a facility would be incompatible with a residential setting and set a precedent for further commercial development, the commission passed the motion, 6-1, after a lengthy public hearing.
``This is not setting a precedent,'' said Commissioner Don Williams, who lives in Willoughby. ``We should take each application on its merits. This is in keeping with the recreational needs of the community.''
Ewin Ottinger cast the lone dissenting vote.
``People have made residential investments here,'' Ottinger said. ``This will distract from our course. Land use is the overriding matter.''
Boone's facility would be an upscale, two-story building designed to look like a lighthouse/Coast Guard station. The business would be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week, on a seasonal basis. A staff of certified lifeguards would be on duty at all times, augmented by a patrol boat that would police the waters to make sure rules and regulations are followed. A snack bar is in the plan, but no alcohol will be served.
``This will provide a service for the community,'' Boone said. ``It will be a family place, a place for kids.''
Boone's proposal was well-received.
``This is the type of family project we are looking for,'' said Jim King, president of the Cottage Line Civic League. ``We voted 68-9 for this.''
``We want somewhere to go like this without having to spend our money in Virginia Beach,'' an Ocean View resident said.
But there was some opposition.
``It would be great if it was just a boat-rental place,'' Ocean View resident Diane Beaven said. ``But I've got a problem with jet skis and all the noise.''
``Jet skis aren't only noisy - they're dangerous,'' Charles Dozier said, who lives in Pinewell By the Bay. ``They'll be a real hazard to swimmers this summer.''
Other speakers opposed the rezoning.
``The city has determined the best land use in Ocean View is residential,'' said Suzanne Daffron, who lives in Nansemond On the Bay. ``We should stay with the policy.''
Though the motion passed, it was with conditions. Boone must submit to more than a dozen stipulations, including limiting his jet ski fleet to five, rearranging the buoy course to extend out 150 yards instead of 100 and relinquishing the privilege of changing the business if the operation fails.
Some saw the conditions as severe.
``I don't know how they could put more restrictions on this fellow,'' resident Larry Gregory said. ``He's got a lot of courage to go on with this in light of that.''
But Boone was not phased.
``I'm ecstatic it passed,'' he said. ``I've worked on this since August. I'm ready to do whatever the community wants.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Ronald Boone
by CNB