Williamsburg Independent Editor George Arbogust discusses a recent move by the James City County Board of Supervisors to approve a zoning and master plan amendment on Jan. 13 allowing Coastal Community Church to convert a long-vacant building at the Williamsburg Pottery complex into a 1,000-seat worship facility. The decision permits the church to occupy Building B at 6810 Richmond Road and follows a 6–0 recommendation from the Planning Commission in December.
Because the site is zoned M-1, Limited Business/Industrial, the church was required to seek an amendment to allow a “place of public assembly.” County officials described the project as a positive reuse of an underutilized commercial property, noting that while the non-profit use will remove the site from the tax rolls, the benefits of stabilizing and revitalizing the building outweighed the revenue loss.
The approved plan includes primarily interior renovations, with binding proffers addressing parking and traffic through shared parking, event limitations, and on-site management. Staff found the proposal consistent with the county’s comprehensive plan and said it would generate fewer trips than the former retail use.
The Williamsburg Independent doesn’t run ads or pursue sponsors. But we do sell t-shirts and support a non-profit bookseller …
