At its Jan. 14 session, the James City County Chesapeake Bay Board reviewed several Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act exception requests and approved each with staff-recommended conditions.

Amanda Fraser, watershed planner, reported that homeowner Anne Bell asked to withdraw CBPA25-0154 (4332 Sprucemont) and staff agreed; no board action was required. Emily Grojean presented CBPA25-0141 (4748 West Hampton), an exception to extend an existing deck by five feet that would encroach 55 square feet into the 100-foot landward RPA buffer; staff described the impacts as minor and required mitigation of half a planting unit (six shrubs) plus a $500 surety. The board voted to adopt the resolution approving the exception (5–0).

Amanda Fraser then presented CBPA25-0153 (1060 Kings Mill Road), a 40-square-foot impact for a concrete pad for the Kingsmill Marina fueling station; the applicant proposed mitigation of six shrubs and the board approved 5–0. CBPA25-0151 (7851 Pocahontas Trail) would install signage and footings for a 2026 Oktoberfest attraction modification on land tied to Seaworld Parks & Entertainment LLC; staff said impacts total 157 square feet to the 50-foot landward RPA and required half a planting unit and a $500 surety. VHB/Busch Gardens representatives explained the work entails minor fence adjustments and theming constraints and the board approved the exception 5–0.

Emily Grojean presented CBPA25-0149 (1369 Colonial Parkway) on behalf of the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities (APVA) and applicant Michael Lavin. The proposal would add an access path with total RPA impacts of 13,093 square feet but reduces existing impervious area in the RPA by approximately 6,534 square feet (a roughly 10% reduction), which staff said satisfies mitigation requirements. Lavin said the project will be phased, include archaeological mitigation and provide an ADA-compliant route; the board approved the request 5–0.

Finally, Amanda Fraser presented CBPA23-0190 (123 Whiting Avenue), an extension request submitted by Barry Moses with James City County; staff recommended a two-year extension with reauthorization of permit conditions and a new expiration of March 13, 2028. The board voted 5–0 to approve the extension.

Each approval carried the conditions spelled out by staff, including the requirement to obtain any necessary federal, state and local permits, submission of mitigation planting plans where required, and submission of a $500 surety to guarantee mitigation in some cases. The board announced a work session for Jan. 21 to discuss Chesapeake Bay ordinance changes adopted by the Board of Supervisors and adjourned.