I am a member of a group called the Kingsmill Wireless Communications Advocacy Group (KWCAG) which was formed to enhance cell phone service in our gated community of 2,900 acres and approximately 2,800 residents. Two wireless service providers (Verizon Wireless & AT&T) each submitted a site plan proposal to our County (James City) Planning Division for approval of two 120 foot cellular towers to be sited in a residentially zoned portion of the community which would put them 400-600 feet from the front doors or back decks of properties assessed at $500,000 to $700,000 in value. The residents opposed the construction of same through various County committees and ended up at the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) for the County where the BZA sided with the residents since the two towers did not comply with the County zoning ordinances for being "camouflaged." The two towers were supposed to look like monopines native to eastern Virginia and had to be surrounded by a "buffer" of mature trees so the towers would be screened from view of a "casual observer." Fat chance. Anyhow, the County Board of Supervisors (BOS) (the highest jurisdiction in our County), the two wireless servise providers and the owner of the property which is Busch Properties Inc. (BPI) the beer people, and lastly, the Kingsmill Community Services Association (KCSA)(our homeowners association) , ALL FIVE filed appeals in the County Circuit Court (James City County, Virginia) to overturn the BZA decision. Further, the BZA has no funds to hire their own counsel to represent them in Circuit Court. The BOS has funds (taxpayer dollars) which they could make available to the BZA, per the Code of Virginia, for counsel but is DENYING THOSE FUNDS TO THE BZA! Hence, when the appeal reaches the Circuit Court, the BZA's decision will be overturned since they have no legal counsel to represent them, and the towers will go up due to no counter action from the BZA in Circuit Court. The Circuit Court docket will come up for review on March 18, 2009. The residents of the community have already spent over $20,000 in lawyer fees to oppose the County and the wireless service providers in these proceedings and cannot raise additional funds. WHAT IS NEEDED: A Virginia lawyer, near Williamsburg Virginia, who would do pro bono work on behalf of the BZA or the resident group (KWCAG)to represent them in Circuit Court. This whole thing is a travesty, brought about by an over zealous County Attorney, and big business (Verizon Wireless & AT&T) and two other parties (KCSA & BPI) who will receive rental income if the towers are built. Residents property values will be impacted severely! The character and harmony of Kingsmill on the James, our community, which is rich in historic background, will be ruined if twenty first century technology (towers) are allowed to go up in full view of any "casual observer." PLEASE RESPOND IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION OF VALUE TO PROVIDE. The writer of this plea is NOT A LAWYER. I am a property owner and a concerned citizen living in Kingsmill on the James, Williamsburg, VA. We have a web site which is
kmwireless.org if you need additional information.
