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Windsor Town Councilman David Adams proposed to the rest of the council on Tuesday, Feb. 11, the creation of a committee designed to give the town a voice in Isle of Wight County’s planning for property surrounding Windsor.

Adams developed the proposal in response to fellow Councilman Marlin W. Sharp’s appeal to the council in December to reach out and establish a relationship with the county that would allow the town to have regular input on county decisions that have an impact on Windsor.

At the December council meeting, Sharp said, “What I understand from those who have been around longer than I have is that the attitude of many of the people who live here is that the county decides what to do, and then they tell us what they’re doing, and we don’t have anything to say about it.”

Sharp was motivated to make his appeal out of a desire for town leaders to approach the county and ask if another option aside from the proposed Tidewater Logistics Center multi-warehouse complex could be considered or discussed for the property adjacent to the Lovers Lane/Keaton Avenue neighborhood along U.S. Route 460.

Adams opened the subject of his proposal by noting that his idea was for a committee that could stand up for the town, and he emphasized before reading the proposal that it was not set in stone and that he was open to all feedback on it.

He read the proposal as follows:

“In accordance with The Town of Windsor Code of Ordinances Part 1, Chapter 33, Article I, Section 33-6, I request that the council establish a special committee entitled the ‘Windsor Impact Committee.’

“The purpose of this special committee is to discuss, on behalf of the town of Windsor and citizens, any commercial or industrial developments for any parcel or property that abuts the town of Windsor. These discussions may occur with, but are not limited to, the Isle of Wight County Economic Development Authority members or staff, Isle of Wight County Board of Supervisors or staff, or other Isle of Wight County staff or contractors as necessary.

“The special committee will not have any authority to make final decisions, enter into any agreements or enforce any regulations unless otherwise permitted by a vote of the Windsor Town Council and within the scope of the powers delegated to the town of Windsor by the Code of Virginia. 

“The committee will be comprised of five total members, to include three citizens at large and two council members. Committee members can be nominated by any current Windsor Town Council member and will be appointed upon an affirmative vote by the Windsor Town Council. Members will serve for one calendar year.”

Adams followed up his reading of the proposal by saying, “This is what Marlin was trying to bring up at the December Town Council meeting. … After having discussions with Marlin, he confirmed this is what he’s hoping for, so that we can establish citizens and council members to engage with the county staff to figure out what’s best for things that the county wants to do surrounding Windsor.”

Adams told his fellow council members that the proposal was just food for thought.

“We don’t have to make a motion or vote on this today,” he said. “I welcome any feedback on this, but I will bring it up again at the next meeting for discussion.”