The Jamestown Planning Commission recently tabled site plans for the New Flyer facility in the former Quality Markets on Fluvanna Avenue.

The commission’s decision came after concerns over a property easement that is needed for storm water drainage from the New Flyer property to another property owned by Shults, lack of a property survey, topographic map and landscaping plan submitted with the site plans. There was also a question about the removal of asphalt that overlapped into a neighboring property, which was there prior to Shults Real Estate purchasing the property. Those concerns are valid. It is important to make sure stormwater concerns are addressed given the topography of the land where the plaza is located.

It is important, however, for this approval process to move quickly. There are 43 families for whom the jobs are very important. It would be beyond unfortunate if the wages those jobs will provide are delayed over these unanswered questions. We hope Shults Real Estate is able to answer the questions quickly and that the Planning Commission moves quickly to give its approval as soon as those questions are answered — even if that means scheduling a special meeting to do so. This isn’t just an academic planning exercise, after all. These are people’s livelihoods being affected.