UNEASE OVER EASEMENT

Urbanna town officials still uncertain how best to use strip at end of Virginia St.

Since at least 2015, the Urbanna Town Council has debated how to use the town-owned 30-foot-wide strip of land where Virginia Street meets Urbanna Creek.

In September 2013, Urbanna businessman Bill Hight received a permit to build an 85-foot-long pier at the end of Virginia Street, but eventually abandoned his plan and gave the pier permit to the town.

This pier permit started a nine-year debate. The idea of a “kayak” dock has been proposed and argued about by council for years. The strip of land is about 75 yards from the Urbanna Town Marina.

In February 2022, council approved a motion to form the Urbanna Waterfront Committee to look at all town-owned waterfront properties and make recommendations on its uses and needs.

Marina’s north end

In 2022, the committee recommended modifying the Urbanna Town Marina dock at the north end, so that kayaks and small portable boats could be launched from a sandy beach there. This idea has support of some council members.

Emergency easement

The land at the end of Virginia Street is only 30-feet wide. However, there is a 20-foot wide easement for emergency vehicle access, Town Administrator Ted Costin told the town council at its April 25 meeting. The access is for the condominiums next to the town-owned strip of land.

Better location

Mayor Bill Goldsmith noted that the north end of the Urbanna Town Marina is a better place to launch kayaks and small boats.

Two members of the Urbanna Waterfront Committee also addressed council during the public comment period and indicated support for a launch site at the north end of the marina.

Councilor Larry Chowning, who researched and helped develop a kayak trail for Urbanna Creek, said the starting point is from the north end of the marina.