York sues Seaford resident; oyster farming permit at issue

York County:

“York County is asking a judge to shut down two oyster farms. Seaford resident Anthony Bavuso was served with an injunction Thursday that said he and his wife, Elyse Pyle, were illegally operating their commercial oyster business without a permit, which the state Supreme Court ruled earlier this year the county was right to require.

Dandy resident Greg Garrett is expected to receive a similar document after County Attorney James Barnett files them in York-Poquoson Circuit Court Friday. Since the ruling in January, the two have continued to farm oysters from their homes in violation of the county's ordinance and the court's ruling, Barnett said… Bavuso, who has raised oysters at his Creek Circle home in York Point for his Seaford Oyster Company since 2010, was denied a permit in 2011. Garrett, whose operation began in 2009 on Sandbox Lane, withdrew his permit request the same night.

The two men filed separate lawsuits in Circuit Court arguing that oyster farming was an allowed use of their land under the county's land-use ordinance because their residentially zoned properties allow commercial agriculture. The Circuit Court sided with Garrett and Bavuso.”

~ Writes Ali Rockett of the Daily Press

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Ocean View residents to make dune case to Norfolk

City of Norfolk

“Ocean View residents want to lower sand dunes that they say are taking over their property, but city officials are worried such an alteration could affect Norfolk's ability to get federal funding for flood mitigation.

Seventeen property owners in the Cottage Line area will argue their case before the city's Wetlands Board this afternoon. The residents are seeking permission to lower the dunes to about 10-1/2 feet. In one area, the dunes reach 26 feet.

These Cottage Line residents say the sand dunes near their homes have reached unreasonable heights and are blocking their views. Because the sand is so plentiful, the residents say, the removed portions of the dunes could be redistributed where sand is needed in Ocean View. But environmentalists have expressed opposition, and some city officials have said they are concerned about the requests.”

~Writes Jillian Nolin of the Virginia Pilot

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