Town Crier Articles

Relevant Changes from Original Application: ABVA’s 2023 application addressed many of the concerns raised by the NTRA in the early stages of Westwood Park’s consideration. (See Town Crier - April 2021, June 2021, April 2022, May 2022, May 2023, July 2023, April 2024, February 2025) The County’s examination resulted in further refinements and conditions, a few of which are highlighted below.

 

Access to the development will be via Discovery Park Boulevard with buffer zones between the new community and New Town’s Charlotte Park neighborhood. Originally the only trail system connection between Westwood Park and New Town was proposed as the existing trail “adjacent to Discovery Park Boulevard.” The final Proffers have been modified to open the opportunity for changes if “otherwise approved by the New Town Residential Association, Inc.”

 

Significant BMP retrofit/repair to the stormwater system within New Town are being required for this development. Where ABVA had originally proposed funding “stream restoration” within the property, the latest proffers include actual repairs to three stormwater facilities within our community (the Casey Boulevard, New Town Avenue and Truist ponds.)

 

“The Developer shall prepare plans for the (i) retrofit of the Courthouse Green Dry Pond, BMP ID PC144, and the New Town Block 8, Phase 1B Dry Pond, PC243, in accordance with the recommendations of the Powhatan Creek Watershed Study and (ii) repair of the outfall of the Suntrust Wet Pond, PC173.”

 

The issuance of various stages of building permits for Westwood Park is contingent on the submittal of plans, initiation and substantial completion of these BMP repairs. The Developer is also preparing an updated water and sewer master plan for the property.

 

ABVA’s traffic impact analysis was accepted without requiring any additional improvements, including maintaining the configuration of the intersection of Discovery Park Boulevard/Casey Boulevard. Per VDOT, adjusted signal timings at the existing Ironbound Road lights have already been completed to account for future development. Further optimized timings will be adjusted on a recurring basis.

 

The JCC Staff Report recommends Planning Commission approval of Westwood Park subject to its proposed conditions and proffers. [See Agenda item 6: https://jamescitycova.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1240/files/agenda/1649]

 

Members of the public are welcome to submit written comments or speak at this April 2nd meeting. The Planning Commission meeting agenda can be found here:  https://jamescitycova.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1240/files/agenda/1649

 

The meeting starts at 6:00PM at the County Government Center Board Room, 101 Mount Bays Road. Westwood Park Rezoning is the 6th public hearing agenda item. The meeting will also be livestreamed on JCC TV: Cox channel 88 or jamescitycountyva.gov/220.

 

Approval of the Westwood Park development will require rezoning of the Eastern State public land to Mixed Use or PUB-R (as proposed by the applicant) and a change to the James City County 2045 Comprehensive Plan, so consideration by the JCC Board of Supervisors is the next step after the Planning Commission’s decision. (May 13, 2025 has been identified as the tentative Board of Supervisors meeting.) The JCC Staff Report includes a discussion of the designation “Mixed Use – Eastern State” for such a Comprehensive Plan revision. Per the Board of Supervisors’ request for a fiscal impact analysis, the staff has also concluded that the Westwood Park development would result in a “net fiscal impact to the County through the year 2050 that is positive $5,894,860.”

 

Are you passionate about maintaining the beauty and integrity of our neighborhood? Do you have an eye for design and a commitment to community standards?  The NTRA Architectural Review Committee needs you!  The committee meets monthly to review, approve, and provide feedback to homeowners on their proposed projects to modify their property.

 

Responsibilities:

• Review and approve homeowners' architectural and landscape plans for changes to their property.
• Ensure compliance with community guidelines and standards.
• Collaborate with fellow committee members to maintain the aesthetic harmony of our neighborhood.
• Provide feedback and suggestions to homeowners on their project proposals.

If you're interested in making a difference and ensuring our community remains a beautiful place to live, please contact our community manager at ntramgr@1cbm.com to learn more. All NTRA owners in good standing are eligible to volunteer. 

 

Join us in shaping the future of our neighborhoods, one project at a time!

 

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On the last Sunday of February, New Towners cheered on the William & Mary Women’s basketball team in a game against the College of Charleston’s Cougars at the Kaplan Arena. Our neighbors joined a large crowd supporting the Play4Kay fundraiser which honors female cancer survivors, and the William and Mary players demonstrated their support by trading the Tribe’s traditional dark green for pink uniforms.

 

Before the game, participants gathered at the Wrightman Room in the arena for a pizza party.  The event attracted New Town basketball fans as well as those interested in socializing with friends and meeting new neighbors.  As they munched on pizza, veggies and cookies, William & Mary assistant coach Kenia Cole spoke briefly, promising a fast-paced game with lots of three point shots.  Attendees, including a delighted youth basketball player, won a basketball with the team’s signatures and Virginia Barch won a gift certificate provided by the New Town Commercial Association. 

 

As promised, it was an exciting contest.  Led by Bella Nascimento, who currently leads the league in scoring, the Tribe jumped out to an early ten-point lead, but Charleston fought back and it looked like they were going to take control of the game. However, William & Mary did not go quietly and had a chance at the end to tie the game with a three pointer that unfortunately rimmed out. While disappointed by the loss, resident Bob Finn declared “It was a heck of a close game” and a fun time.

 

The Activities Committee’s next event, is an Easter Egg Hunt on April 19 at Lydias Park in Abbey Commons.   Feel free to bring your kids and grandkids or just stroll over to watch the fun!

 

 

 

One of the great advantages of living in a managed community like New Town is that the homeowners association requires owners to keep their property in good condition and controls the community’s environment.  For townhomes and detached homes, this is accomplished through the provisions of the New Town Residential Association’s (NTRA) amended Master Declaration and Covenants which owners agree to abide by when they purchase a property in New Town.  This document allows the NTRA Board of Directors to establish association rules. The NTRA Board has passed only one set of rules, with two amendments.  The comprehensive rules passed in 2005 covers things that residents can and cannot do.  These were amended 1) in 2018 to clarify placement of outdoor grills, and 2) in 2019 to address trashcan storage problems experienced by certain NTRA cottages with limited storage. These documents are provided as part of the buyer disclosure packet to everyone who buys a home in New Town and are available on the NTRA website. 

 

I am going to review some of the rules that generate complaints to our association manager and our Board of Directors. A variety of FAQs are also available on the NTRA website Frequently Asked Questions page.

 

 

Parking in streets and properties within New Town is restricted to private automobiles, passenger vans and small, one town or less pickup trucks and SUVs.  Except for a commercial vehicle of 1 ton or less for personal use, no commercial vehicles and trailers of any type can be parked within New Town residential properties overnight. 

 

 

Pets must be kept under control and on leash while they are in New Town.  Owners must also pick up and properly dispose of animal droppings. Pets causing or creating a nuisance or unreasonable disturbance or noise may be permanently removed from New Town upon ten (10) days written notice from the Board of Directors.

 

3. What is the procedure for trash pickup and the storage of trash and recycle cans? (Section II, Rule 39)

 

Trash pickup is provided weekly, generally on Wednesdays (weather or equipment failures can impact this occasionally). Covered trash containers can be placed on the street for pickup on the day before the scheduled pickup and removed the evening after the pickup.  Trash containers should be kept in a concealed or screened area - they cannot be kept in driveways, on sidewalks, or in front yards.  The 2019 Rules amendment makes an exception for specific cottage homes with limited storage space.

 

4. Are there rules about nuisances and noise in New Town?  (Declaration Section 7.1(a) and (k), Rules Section II, Rule 26 and 27)

 

Yes, there are.  Residents may not use any New Town property including our common areas in a way that could reasonably cause “embarrassment, discomfort, or annoyance” of other owners.

 

5.  Can I use all or part of my home as an Air B&B? (Declaration Section 7.1(dd))

 

No.  Homes in New Town can only be leased for periods of 12 months or more.  Leasing owners must notify the Association of their new address and phone number along with information on their tenant (tenant name, work and home phone numbers and management company as applicable.)  Leases of less than 12 months are prohibited and properties cannot be used or occupied for transient or hotel purposes.  Owners are also responsible for ensuring that tenants abide by the Association’s governing documents and rules.

 

 

Generally, oral communications with the violator of NTRA rules resolves the problem.  If this is not successful, a formal violation process will be started with a letter sent to the homeowner.  If the violation continues, the offending homeowner will be invited to a hearing before the Board of Directors to explain the situation and offer any extenuating circumstances.  Charges may be assessed to mitigate any expense incurred by the NTRA and repair any damage resulting from the violation.  The Board of Directors may also fine a violator up to $50 dollars for a single violation or up to 10 dollars per day for continuing violations up to 30 days.

On Friday evening, December 6, New Towners continued their traditional holiday celebrations as they streamed into Legacy Hall for the first NTRA Holiday Party since Covid.  NTRA Activities Committee Members and their families decked the hall in green and red, and trimmed Christmas trees.  Wearing necklaces of small blinking red, blue, green and yellow lights, they warmly greeted over 100 residents.  The partygoers enjoyed the sounds of big band and seasonal music as they mingled with neighbors and connected with old friends.

 

Everyone enjoyed the bountiful tables of delicious including mounds of shrimp, Mediterranean chicken skewers, Asian pork dumpling, Mediterranean platters, with arrays of olives and cheeses and desserts.  For long-time resident Tom Nichols of Charlotte Park, the party was a chance to reconnect with many old friends.  Jen Morgan, a new Activities Committee member, who recently moved from Fairfax, Virginia, found “everyone very friendly and welcoming.”   Bob Byrne, another veteran of New Town holiday parties judged the food as “best in my memory,” and David Nelson of Village Walk had one word for the event: "Fantastic!"

 

All agreed the party was a wonderful way to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season.  

 

 

  

   

 

 

 

Currently, Cox Communications holds a Monopoly on wired Internet and cable TV services in our New Town neighborhoods. (Verizon Fios chose not to lay fiber for residential services in New Town during New Town’s development). While Verizon and T-Mobile do compete with Cox Communications with wireless Internet services through their cellular networks, those systems cannot provide the bandwidth and speeds available to Cox Communications customers. This means that cellular-based Internet will work well with tasks such as reading email and simple Internet searches, but they will have much more difficulty streaming high-resolution video, and serving multiple users in a household simultaneously.

 

Glo Fiber has started competing directly with Cox Communications in the Williamsburg area using fiber optics rather than copper-based coaxial cable. This newer technology has the advantage of providing faster service, higher bandwidths, symmetrical download and upload speeds, and more consistent/reliable performance than coaxial cable.  The maximum available bandwidth from Cox Communications is 2 gigabits per second download and 35 megabits per second which compares to Glo Fiber’s 5 gigabits per second symmetrical (both up and down) bandwidth.  Like Cox Communications Glo Fiber also provides up to 130 optional entertainment channels and landline telephone service. Glo Fiber has recently completed the installation of its fiber optics cable system in Ford’s Colony with satisfactory results.

 

Glo Fiber recently approached the NTRA Board about using the area’s communications easements to install underground fiber optics cables and provide their Internet, entertainment, and telephone services to our residents. This service would directly compete with Cox Communications but its use would be totally voluntary.  The NTRA Board of Directors will consider this issue early next year.

 

The NTRA Board of Directors conducted a landscaping services survey to assist in making decisions on the type and level of landscaping to be contracted for in 2025.  The large number of landscaping tickets received over the last year has overwhelmed the Association’s manager and it has become apparent that using one large landscaping company to provide commercial-level services for all six of our diverse neighborhoods is not meeting our Association’s needs.  The survey has shown us what our membership sees as important. The following is a summary of the roughly 100 written comments submitted.  There is also a tabulation of the survey question results in charts available at this link. 

 

 

198 owners or about 30 percent of the Association responded to the survey. The survey highlights both ratings of the importance of different types of services and owners' various opinions on these services' quality, management, and costs. 

 

 

• Many residents express satisfaction with the scope of current landscaping services, citing them as a reason for moving to New Town.
• Some residents prefer to maintain existing services without additional costs, emphasizing the importance of uniformity in landscaping and protecting the appearance of our community.

• Numerous complaints about the quality of services, including poor turf maintenance, inadequate pruning, and neglect of common areas.
• Residents report issues with large mowers damaging small yards and a lack of attention to detail in landscaping tasks.

• A significant number of respondents seek clarity on costs associated with landscaping services and how changes might affect HOA dues.
• Suggestions include allowing homeowners to opt-out of certain services to reduce fees, while others advocate for maintaining comprehensive services.

• Residents recommend hiring smaller, specialized landscaping companies to better cater to the diverse needs of different neighborhoods.
• There is a call for improved communication between homeowners and landscaping companies to ensure clarity on services provided.
• Suggestions for better management oversight of landscaping contractors to ensure accountability and quality of service.