James City digs archaeological study waivers for some development
Good Neighbor grants; WATA bus stop improvements; York Senior Center; William & Mary raises over $120M
The James City County Board of Supervisors recently approved an ordinance amendment streamlining archaeological study requirements for development projects. The measure had previously received unanimous support from the County’s Policy Committee and the Planning Commission.
The board’s approval allows certain development projects to bypass a mandatory Phase I archaeological study under specific conditions. During discussion, board members sought clarification on how a required preliminary assessment would be conducted and by whom. Planning staff explained that a qualified archaeologist’s site review indicating a low likelihood of historical resources would make a developer eligible to apply for the waiver. Board members also asked whether basic written findings from a site visit would be sufficient documentation, and staff confirmed that such a write-up, prepared by a qualified professional, would meet the requirement.
James City County Archeological Sensitive Areas
The county’s archaeological assessment map designates certain areas as highly or ultra sensitive. Projects outside these zones may qualify for a waiver from mandatory Phase I archaeological studies with a qualifying preliminary assessment.
Granting a waiver remains at the planning director’s discretion, and that while no formal appeal process is specified for this section, related decisions are generally appealable under broader zoning provisions. Board members also raised questions about how often archaeological requirements had historically posed significant obstacles for developers, given the county’s extensive early historical settlement. Staff responded that while confirmed archaeological finds are relatively uncommon, the required study process itself can represent a costly and time-consuming step for developers.
Under the amendment, site plan submission requirements now include a waiver option from the mandatory Phase I archaeological study for projects located outside areas the county’s archaeological assessment map designates as highly or ultra sensitive. To qualify, applicants must complete a preliminary assessment evaluating the likelihood of archaeological resources on the site, and that assessment must show a very low probability of such findings before a waiver can be considered.
The ordinance similarly amends the county code governing subdivision preliminary plan submissions. Developers may now qualify for an exception from the Phase I Archaeological Study requirement if their project falls outside designated high-sensitivity and ultra-sensitivity zones. As with the site plan provision, this exemption requires a preliminary assessment, such as a Phase Ia study, confirming a very low likelihood of archaeological or historical resources on the property.
In other news:
James City County Opens Good Neighbor Grant Applications for Fall James City County’s Sustainability Division has released information about applications for the Good Neighbor Grant, offering neighborhood and community groups up to $500 in matching funds for beautification and sustainability projects. Volunteer labor can count toward the match, so cash isn’t required to apply. Applications are due September 15, 2026 by 4 p.m. The newsletter also covers free mosquito control dunks for residents, a glass recycling contest win that earned United Way a $1,000 donation, and upcoming Clean County Commission meetings this August and September.
James City County Seeks Bids for WATA Bus Stop Improvements James City County has opened bidding for Bus Stop Improvement Phase One, a project to install concrete bus stop pads at multiple locations throughout the county for the Williamsburg Area Transit Authority (WATA) bus stop system. The work includes labor, materials, equipment, site preparation, concrete placement, finishing and restoration needed to create safe, durable and accessible passenger boarding areas. The invitation for bid was published July 23, 2026, and the closing date and time for submissions is August 20, 2026 at 2 p.m.
York County Senior Center Announces August 2026 Special Events The Senior Center of York has announced its August 2026 calendar, featuring a new Immersive Wellness class, game night, Fire and Fall Prevention program, Senior Social, and an Art Show, along with an outing to the Mariners’ Museum & Park. The center encourages residents to check the calendar for daily activities and contact staff for details. The Senior Center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Activities are free unless noted, for ages 55 and up, with registration open until four days before each event.
William & Mary Announces $123.4 Million Raised in Fiscal Year 2026 William & Mary announced that it raised more than $123.4 million in gifts during fiscal year 2025-2026. The funds came from 31,522 donors, including alumni, students, families, faculty, staff, organizations and friends. Gifts of $250 or less totaled nearly $2.4 million. During One Tribe One Day, the school announced 14,221 donors contributed over $5.6 million to 1,010 funds, a record for the university. In an email to supporters, Matthew T. Lambert ‘99, Senior Vice President for University Advancement, wrote that the funding supported an enrollment initiative, the Mackesy Sports Performance Center, the Institute for Integrative Conservation, and the university’s first coastal and marine sciences majors cohort.
W&M Board of Visitors to Hold Summer Retreat in Wintergreen The William & Mary Board of Visitors will hold its annual summer retreat July 28-30, 2026, in Wintergreen, Va., serving as the Board’s annual planning and training session. Meetings begin Tuesday, July 28 at 3 p.m. in the Upper Crust Conference Room of Wintergreen Resort, followed by a dinner and an optional Fireside Gathering. The full Board will meet Wednesday, July 29 from 8:45 a.m. to about 4:45 p.m., with a reception, dinner, and optional social that evening. Meetings resume Thursday, July 30 at 8:30 a.m. and conclude around 12:15 p.m.
William & Mary Law School to Host National Trial Advocacy College William & Mary Law School announced a partnership with the Virginia Law Foundation (VLF) and Virginia CLE to host the National Trial Advocacy College August 8-12, 2026, in Williamsburg, Virginia. The five-day program, previously held at the University of Virginia Law School for 43 years, features daily lectures and hands-on training culminating in a mock trial. Registration is open at trialadcollege.org, with participants earning 38.5 hours of CLE credit, including 36.5 hours of live-interaction credit and 2.0 hours of Ethics credit.
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