Documents Related to the FOS Pavilion

This is a set of links to documents associated with the proposal for a large performance pavilion on the grounds of the Historic Onancock School.  It outlines our opposition to the proposed project as being too large and as lacking a realistic and attainable business plan.  We also regard the proposal as the product of a deeply flawed planning process on the part of the Friends of Onancock School and the Town of Onancock. 

ORG has been deeply concerned about the lack of transparency throughout the process, and this has led us to a much broader concern about the lack of transparency in town government more generally.

  • Onancock Residents List of Concerns   Dated 21 February 2023, this  is the primary list of concerns, circulated with a Preamble to town residents by ORG members.
  • January 11, 2023 – Letter to the Mayor   This is the ORG steering committee’s request to meet with the Mayor and Town Council to discuss our concerns about the FOS proposal.
  • January 18, 2023 – ORG Meeting with the Mayor  This is a list of the ORG agenda items for discussion with the Mayor and Town Manager.
  • Letter Grier 20 Feb 2023 Katherine C. Grier, a town resident, sent this letter to the Mayor, Town Manager and the Town Council outlining her objections to the Pavilion project.
  • FOS Response to ORG concerns (undated; March 2023)  The Friends of Onancock School created this response to the ORG list of concerns. 
  • Community Stage 12 May  The ORG steering committee created this set of proposed guidelines for the operation of any outdoor performance space on the grounds of the Historic Onancock School. We received no response.
  • Pavilion questions 5/15/2023  This is a list of various questions concerning the operation of the pavilion.  We received no response.
  • ORG 2008 Zoning re Cultural facilities  The Historic Onancock School grounds were covered by this zoning ordinance, which was created specifically for the property.  The Town of Onancock accidentally repealed this ordinance in its 2021 update of the Town’s code of ordinances.  It has not yet been replaced.
  • ORG Proposed Guidelines 11 June 2023  This is the most recent submission by Onancock Residents Group of guidelines for the operation of the proposed Pavilion.  It was submitted to Town Council.  There has been no formal response to this document.
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