Board moves to require special permits for marinas serving large cruise ships or tender boats

The York County Board of Supervisors adopted ordinance 25‑3 on Feb. 18 to add zoning provisions that require a special‑use permit and additional performance standards for marinas, docks and boating facilities that would serve vessels permitted to carry more than 400 passengers and their passenger tender vessels.

Planning staff explained the county cannot regulate maritime traffic on the waterway itself (federal and state jurisdiction), but can control land uses that receive passengers. The ordinance adds a definition for "passenger tender vessel," requires applicants proposing to serve large passenger vessels to submit a traffic‑impact analysis, an environmental protection plan, a sketch plan and a description of passenger capacity and hours of operation, and notes the board may impose conditions.

Public commenters urged stronger protections: multiple speakers asked for independent environmental assessments, expressed concern about air and water pollution, and asked for an outright prohibition of large ocean‑going cruise ships. Several residents and speakers referenced the recent community debate and petitions opposing large cruise calls in Yorktown.

The county attorney summarized legal limits: York County cannot prohibit a vessel from anchoring in the river or regulate crew disembarkation rights that are federal in scope; the county’s authority is land use regulation of shore facilities. After discussion the board adopted ordinance 25‑3 by roll call (5–0).

Ending: The ordinance creates a permit path and submittal requirements to ensure the board and public can review proposals to receive large numbers of passengers; staff said they will monitor legal developments in other jurisdictions for further steps.