NEWS: Single Family, Detached Houses Discussed for South Henry Street in Williamsburg
Potential 20-unit subdivision could span 3+ acres across from W&M Law School
(Disclosure: I live in Williamsburg on South Boundary Street near the site of this potential development).
A response from the City of Williamsburg to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request revealed preliminary discussions for a new subdivision of single family, detached homes on South Henry Street. An owner of a nearby property worked with the Williamsburg Independent to acquire the information, which indicates that the development is likely to move forward on prime real estate across from the College of William and Mary Law School.
The subdivision could occupy over three acres, including the empty lot at the intersection of South Henry Street and South Boundary Street, as well as the land and properties around Blacksmith Alley. Though detailed plans have not yet been made public, correspondence between the City and project representatives indicate that one concept for the development consisted of 20 single family, detached homes, organized with a condominium form of ownership.
The developer, SHS Propco LLC, has purchased eight lots along this stretch of South Henry Street in recent years. While most of these lots have common boundaries, current property records indicate that a quarter acre lots sits in the middle of the potential development, and is owned by a different LLC. Based on the City’s FOIA response, it is unknown if that company is also part of the project, or if the land may also be acquired.
Existing “Downtown Residential” Zoning
According to City land records, the lots on South Henry Street are currently zoned RDT: (Downtown Residential). The City’s 2021 Comprehensive Plan states that the “land use category is designed specifically for the west side of South Henry Street, south of South Boundary Street, a residential area located in the Downtown Planning Area suitable for higher density residential use.”
The designation allows for 8 dwelling units/net acre without further zoning approval from the City. The preliminary plans discussed by the City and developers were described as by-right several times in the correspondence. The RDT zoning does require a special use permit to increase the density or build structures such as townhouses and multifamily dwellings.
Blacksmith Alley
The existing 100 year-old structures on Blacksmith Alley may have historical significance. According to City records, two of the existing structures date back to 1920, while another was built in 1947. An email sent by a City engineer to the City’s Planning and Codes Compliance Director, Tevya Griffin, states that the structures are known as the "Samuel Harris (the blacksmith) house and his old shop on ‘Blacksmith Alley’. I believe their intention is demolition.”
Griffin later sent an email, presumably to an expert in architectural preservation at Colonial Williamsburg, asking to discuss the properties. Any response as to the structures historical significance was not included in information provided by the City.
Consultation with City staff
According to the emails received from the City, a representative of the project reached out to planners as early as July 2024 to begin soliciting feedback. This effort appears to have resulted in multiple meetings between City officials and the project’s developers. Below is a review of email communication about the South Henry Street subdivision (the content of the emails is presented in its entirety, as originally written):
Subject: “South Henry Street Subdivision”
Email: July 8, 2024 at 4:26PM
From: Vernon Geddy - Geddy, Harris, Franck & Hickman, LLP
To: Tevya Griffin, Planning and Codes Compliance Director
Subject: South Henry Street Subdivision
Message:
Tevya, I hope you are well. I am working with the group that is looking at the by-right subdivision of the property at South Henry Street and Boundary Street. I believe they have had some contact with you and or Aaron about the project. I am writing to follow up a voicemail I left to see if you and Aaron would have any time available this Friday the 12th to meet with the group so they can share their preliminary thinking and concept plan for the subdivision. If this Friday does not work please check next Friday. One of the principals, Matt Gunlock will be in town this Friday and next. Thanks and let me know. VernonEmail: July 17, 2024 at 11:32AM
From: Tevya Griffin, Planning and Codes Compliance Director
To: Aaron Small, City Engineer
Subject: FW: South Henry Street Subdivision
Message:
Aaron,
See email below from Vernon. Do you have time next Friday, July 26 between 11:12-12 or after 3 to meet with them?
TevyaEmail: July 17, 2024 at 12:34PM
From: Aaron Small, City Engineer
To: Tevya Griffin, Planning and Codes Compliance Director
Subject: Re: South Henry Street Subdivision
Message:
I'd have to be after three. I have the TPS meeting in the morning.
BTW, part of this land that they are assembling is the Samuel Harris (the blacksmith) house and his old shop on "Blacksmith Alley”. I believe their intention is demolition.
Subject: “Blacksmith Alley”
Email: August 7, 2024 at 4:45PM
From: Tevya Griffin, Planning and Codes Compliance Director
To: Matthew Webster, (presumed to be to the executive director, Grainger Department of Architectural Preservation and Research, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation)
Subject: Blacksmith Alley
Message:
Matthew,
I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to ask you a question regarding the buildings located along Blacksmith Alley.
When you have time, can you give me a call at [Editor: phone number removed]?
Thanks, and hope to hear from you soon.
Tevya
Subject: “Meeting on January 27, 2025”
Email: January 21, 2025 at 1:23PM
From: Troy Brinkley, President, Impera Commercial and Land Co.
To: Tevya Griffin, Planning and Codes Compliance Director
Subject: Meeting on January 27, 2025
Message:
Ms. Griffin,
I just sent an email to John Wilson the listing agent on S. Henry St. property and Jason Grimes with AES consulting engineers who would also like to attend and has done a preliminary layout of approximately 20 lots he can bring as an exhibit to the meeting and be used to discuss the process for submittal, required meetings and general procedures for gaining approval to begin construction on the development of single family lot as the current property is currently zoned.
I will be back to you as soon as I hear from them about their availability and some time blocks that work on Monday.
Thank you,
Troy Brinkley, President
Impera Commercial and Land Co.Email: January 21, 2025 at 2:00PM
From: Tevya Griffin, Planning and Codes Compliance Director
To: Troy Brinkley, President, Impera Commercial and Land Co.
Subject: Re: Meeting on January 27, 2025
Message:
OK, that sounds great. I will block off Monday.
TevyaEmail: January 21, 2025 at 5:15PM
From: Troy Brinkley, President, Impera Commercial and Land Co.
To: Tevya Griffin, Planning and Codes Compliance Director
Subject: Re: Meeting on January 27, 2025
Message:
Ms. Griffin,
Can we meet at your office next Monday at 1:30 PM? I have confirmed that works for John Wilson and Jason Grimes. I will have my son Grayson Brinkley accompanying me at the meeting and we all look forward to seeing you next week.
Thank you,
Troy BrinkleyEmail: January 23, 2025 at 9:27AM
From: Tevya Griffin, Planning and Codes Compliance Director
To: Troy Brinkley, President, Impera Commercial and Land Co.
Subject: Re: Meeting on January 27, 2025
Message:
Sounds good. I've sent you a calendar invite. Our offices are located at 401 Lafayette Street, 2nd floor in the Planning and Codes Compliance Department.
Tevya
Subject: “SHS Propco - South Henry Street Property”
Email: April 8, 2025 at 10:58AM
From: Vernon Geddy - Geddy, Harris, Franck & Hickman, LLP
To: Tevya Griffin, Planning and Codes Compliance Director
Subject: SHS Propco - South Henry Street Property
Message:
Tevya, I hope you are well. Been a while. I wanted to see if you and maybe Chris Shelton had some time next week you could meet with me, Jason Grimes and Brent Trainum from SHS to discuss a new concept for the development of their property on south Henry Street. They are looking into using the condominium form of ownership but still do single-family detached homes. Let me potential dates and times that work for you guys. Thanks, Vernon.Email: April 9, 2025 at 11:51AM
From: Tevya Griffin, Planning and Codes Compliance Director
To: Vernon Geddy - Geddy, Harris, Franck & Hickman, LLP
Subject: Re: SHS Propco - South Henry Street Property
Message:
Hello Vernon. Chris and I will check our schedule and get back with you.
TevyaEmail: April 17, 2025 at 9:39AM
From: Vernon Geddy - Geddy, Harris, Franck & Hickman, LLP
To: Tevya Griffin, Planning and Codes Compliance Director
Subject: RE: SHS Propco - South Henry Street Property
Message:
Tevya, any luck on this? Let me know. Thanks, Vernon
Subject: “Meeting”
Email: April 18, 2025 at 2:03PM
From: Vernon Geddy - Geddy, Harris, Franck & Hickman, LLP
To: Tevya Griffin, Planning and Codes Compliance Director
Subject: Meeting
Message:
Tevya, we are free after 1:00 on Monday, Tuesday from 2:00 on, Wednesday at 9:00, 1:00 or 2:00 and Thursday at 11:00. Let me know if any of these slots work. Thanks, VernonEmail: April 18, 2025 at 4:26PM
From: Tevya Griffin, Planning and Codes Compliance Director
To: Vernon Geddy - Geddy, Harris, Franck & Hickman, LLP
Subject: Re: Meeting
Message:
Vernon,
Chris and I can meet on next Tuesday at 2.
Let me know if this works.
TevyaEmail: April 21, 2025 at 9:31AM
From: Vernon Geddy - Geddy, Harris, Franck & Hickman, LLP
To: Tevya Griffin, Planning and Codes Compliance Director
CC: Brent Trainum, Jason Grimes
Subject: RE: Meeting
Message:
Tevya, that works. We will see you then. Thanks, Vernon
Download a copy of the City’s FOIA response regarding the potential development on South Henry Street:
