New Kent Board approves series of exemptions, permits and budget transfers; all motions pass

The New Kent County Board of Supervisors on Monday approved a set of resolutions and appropriations that include land-use exemptions, a conditional use permit for an event venue, a courthouse space needs study and the creation of a Colonial Downs revenue fund.

Board members approved each motion by roll call; no recorded votes opposed the measures discussed at the meeting. The measures move forward routine county planning decisions and formally segregate Colonial Downs–related receipts and capital balances into a single fund for transparency.

The key actions the board approved were:

• Consent agenda — Approved on a motion by Supervisor Stewart; roll-call recorded all members voting aye. Notes: routine consent items were entered into the record.

• Resolution R-5-25: Exemption to allow chain-link fencing for the Department of Public Utilities operation center at 7051 Poindexter Road — Moved by Supervisor Pearson; passed by unanimous roll-call vote. Staff and the Planning Commission recommended approval with added screening requirements for fencing visible within the Commerce Corridor Overlay District.

• Resolution R-6-25: Exemption from private roadway standards for the Adams–Gammon family subdivision (family subdivision creating eight lots, access via existing roads Old Church Road and Steel Trap Road) — Moved by Supervisor Moyer; passed by unanimous roll-call vote. Staff recommended the waiver after reviewing VDOT traffic counts and determining low traffic volumes on the affected roads.

• Conditional Use Permit (CUP) R-03-25: CAMCO Properties LLC — a CUP to operate an assembly hall/event venue at 16305 New Kent Highway on ~5 acres, with a maximum attendee cap of 125 — Moved by Supervisor Pearson; passed unanimously. Staff recommended conditions addressing noise, traffic, parking and sanitation; the Virginia Department of Health reviewed septic capacity and advised confirmation for occupant loads above 50, and the applicant plans to provide portable toilets for larger events.

• Appropriation: $62,500 to the New Kent Economic Development Authority from Colonial Downs revenue for title sponsorship of the Virginia Derby (March 15) — Moved by Supervisor Moyer; passed unanimously. The county’s EDA will use the suite for business development and partner invitations; Richmond Region Tourism proposed sharing the suite and committed roughly $5,000.

• Authorization and appropriation of $37,764 to contract with Moseley Architects for a courthouse space needs assessment — Moved by Supervisor Pearson; passed unanimously. The study will document 5-, 10- and 20-year operational and facility needs and inform future procurement or construction decisions.

• Fiscal year 2024–25 budget amendment (Resolution R-04-25) creating a Colonial Downs revenue fund and moving $39,735,443.35 in previously received and current-year Colonial Downs receipts from the general and capital funds into the new restricted fund — Moved by Supervisor Stewart; passed unanimously. County finance staff said no new revenue is involved; the action reorganizes existing balances for transparency and reporting.

• Appointments — The board approved several district and at-large appointments and reappointments to local committees and regional boards by roll call (appointments included representatives to the Seniors Volunteer Hall of Fame Selection Committee, wetlands/Chesapeake Bay preservation and the Board of Road Viewers). Votes were unanimous for the appointments recorded.

These actions were adopted with recorded roll-call votes showing all voting members in favor where the roll calls were read. No measures failed or were tabled during the Feb. 10 meeting.

Looking ahead, several items adopted require follow-up: the chain-link fencing approval requires additional screening details; the CUP will require applicant confirmation with the Virginia Department of Health for events with occupant loads above 50; the courthouse assessment will produce a written needs report to guide any capital request.

The board closed the regular session and voted to enter a closed session for a performance evaluation under Virginia Code §2.2-3711(A)(1).