Subscribers' Digest (1-30-25)
AI @ the Williamsburg Independent, York SOBs, JCC strategic plan, WJCC school contract, HTRFA live performance venue, Williamsburg development infographic & interactive map
Hi and thanks for reading! This week, AI has been in the news big time. For the past few years, I’ve used ChatGPT to generate content on marketing websites. And I’ve also used it to produce some promotional content on this site (local B&Bs, local walking tours). But I’ve been reluctant to incorporate the tool into news coverage or commentary, mostly because I’m not sure how to do it the right way yet.
This week, Google extended access to an AI tool called NotebookLM, which they describe as a folder that becomes an expert in the information you put in it, including “Google Docs and slides, PDFs, web URLs, copied text, YouTube URLs…” To me, this is both terrifying, and an intriguing offer. In the near term, I could see gathering the dozens of documents it sometimes takes to complete a report and asking AI to answer key questions using the data — perhaps it could be published as an FAQ or tutorials. Down the road, I imagine building “databases” and enabling readers to interact with the contents in their own ways. Perhaps they’d share what they discover with the rest of us, and use it to start new conversations. In the long run, where we all fit in as AI begins to argue with itself remains to be seen.
For now, I’m just going to play around with NotebookLM and see how I can use it. If any of the content I create seems useful, I’ll publish it. I think a notification that AI was employed and a description of how is appropriate at this time. For example, I put a notice that I used AI at the bottom of the promotional content. Yet I can envision a point when those declarations just state the obvious and are no longer noticed or even required.
RECENT NEWS
NEWS: York County Supervisors Get Behind Restrictions on 'Sexually-Oriented Business'
Hard and fast change to zoning for SOBs is 'Triangle' region's first time
At their recent meeting, the York County Board of Supervisors approved a new zoning ordinance which puts restrictions on what the County deems “sexually-oriented business.” The ordinance also implements a ban on SOBs as potential home-based businesses. Any approved SOBs in commercial areas will need a special use permit.
In December, the County Planning Commission previously approved the resolution 6-0. At the Supervisor’s meeting, several County residents spoke in support of the change. No members of the public offered any stiff opposition and no objections to the resolution were raised.
While the resolution sets standards for any sexual-oriented business such as setbacks from the road and operating hours, it also specifies topics such as anatomical areas that can or can’t be exposed, as well as describing regulated sexual activity. This level of detail is necessary according to the County Administrator’s summary of the proposed zoning changes. Read more …
NEWS: Triangle Roundup (1-27-25)
Williamsburg ARB mobile platform, Last Word Comedy Festival, JCC Winter/Spring Activity Brochure, JCC skate park, York domestic chicken keeping & more!
Here’s a quick rundown of local topics I found interesting over the past few weeks. It includes government meetings, fun events and interesting reading. Hope you enjoy …
NEWS: JCC Supervisors Hear Public Feedback about Strategic Plan
Residents’ top priorities rank as safety, community development, land use, education, courts & justice
At a Business Meeting on Tuesday, the James City County Board of Supervisors heard a consultant’s summary of public feedback gathered during the County’s ongoing process to create a new Strategic Plan. According to a prior document presented by the consultants, the Strategic Plan serves as a bridge between the overarching comprehensive plan (last updated in 2021) and specific direction required at the departmental level.
Leigh Anne King, a representative from planning consultants, Clarion Associates, described the presentation as a summary of “who we heard from and what they shared with us.” The Board’s Chair, Jim Icenhour (Jamestown District), voiced support for the public input process so far, calling the summary “really good feedback from the public, which is what we’re looking for on this.” The presentation stated that a public workshop on the topic was conducted along with a month’s worth of online engagement efforts. In total, 180 individuals provided input during the process, with the vast majority residing in the County. Read more …
RECENT COMMENTARY
COMMENTARY: City Council's Silence on School Contract Speaks Volumes
Williamsburg leadership has met in closed session 7 times since mid-2024 to discuss the joint school system contract, with few public updates in between
Members of the Williamsburg City Council, along with select senior City staff, have a tendency to work on hot button issues while failing to adequately inform the public, or ask for their input — Spotswood and Sports Town are a couple examples that come to mind. Unfortunately, they’ve also allowed these habits of secrecy and unilateral action to leak into management of the public school system.
City Council needs to discuss things in private, of course. They frequently invoke Code of Virginia Sec. 2.2-3711 to conduct business behind closed doors. But they also need to discuss things in public, in order to make sure as many voices as possible are heard. Yet, when it comes to the status of contract negotiations involving the Williamsburg-James City County joint public school system, the lack of communication from City leadership is almost deafening. Read more …
COMMENTARY: Closed-Door Meetings Common for Proposed Live Performance Venue in Williamsburg
HTRFA limits access to discussions, keeps plans for public project shrouded in secrecy
During its regular public meeting on Monday, the Historic Triangle Recreational Facilities Authority (HTRFA) once again chose to discuss plans for its mysterious live performance venue behind closed doors. Overall, this marks the fifth time the public authority has met in private about the project since the beginning of 2024, while holding only one public hearing specifically on the issue.
During that time, it authorized $1.5M to begin drawing up plans for the venue. But leading up to the vote, there was scant opportunity for informed public commentary. In fact, the authority’s leadership met in closed session at least three times before that decision without releasing information or seeking public input. Closed meetings are justified using VA Code Section 2.2-3711 but consistently using them to avoid public input seems contrary to the spirit of the law.
Unsurprisingly, public information about the project remains hard to come by, but we do know the authority’s leadership was supposed to discuss projected costs for the venue on Monday. Of course, those figures were not disclosed after the closed-door meeting. Read more …
OTHER CONTENT
INFOGRAPHIC: Williamsburg City Council Land Development & Related Activity (2024)
A review of significant land development issues, including rezoning, special use permits, sale of City-owned property and public debt
The data in the infographic below is found mostly on the City of Williamsburg’s website, if you know where and how to look. In fact, over 50 different web pages (and a dozen Council meeting recordings) were reviewed to compile this summary. I also reviewed reporting by other local media and indicated where their data was used.
You will find nothing like this summary on the City’s website (or anywhere else for that matter.) That’s not meant to pat myself on the back — it’s something to keep in mind when you hear local leadership claim they really want a robust discussion around future land development. Compare their statements to their actions (and the effort it actually took to make sure you’re informed). See the infographic …
MAP: Williamsburg Land Development Projects & Proposals
An interactive resource to help you stay current on important land development activities in Williamsburg, including rezoning, special use permits, sale of public land and more!
Though I can’t say for sure, I imagine that my experience growing up in Leesburg, Virginia was a lot like growing up here in Williamsburg. At the time, there were about 15,000 people living there; it still had a small-town feel and a certain way decisions were made and by whom.
Yet, since then, the sleepy pace of life has changed in Leesburg and Loudoun County, as both have been made “vibrant” by Northern Virginia’s sprawling development. Now, almost 50,000 people call the town home and Loudoun County has nearly 440,000 residents (almost as big as Virginia Beach). Where there were only 4 high schools total in Loudoun County and 1 in Leesburg when I graduated, the County now has 17 high schools plus multiple “academies” — Leesburg is now served by three high schools. See the map …
George Arbogust is Founder and Editor of the Williamsburg Independent. You can contribute too! Email tips and story ideas: contact@williamsburgindependent.com
Thank you for reading Williamsburg Independent — your support allows me to keep doing this work.
If you enjoy Williamsburg Independent, please invite friends to subscribe and read with us. If you refer friends, you will receive benefits that give you special access to Williamsburg Independent.
How to participate
1. Share Williamsburg Independent. When you use the referral link below, or the “Share” button on any post, you'll get credit for any new subscribers. Simply send the link in a text, email, or share it on social media with friends.
2. Earn benefits. When more friends use your referral link to subscribe (free or paid), you’ll receive special benefits.
Get a 1 month comp for 3 referrals
Get a 3 month comp for 8 referrals
Get a 6 month comp for 15 referrals
To learn more, check out Substack’s FAQ. Thank you for helping get the word out about Williamsburg Independent!