Subscriber’s Digest (1-17-25) … 'just the way it [WAS]'
5 downtown streets targeted for high-density rezoning; Apartments recommended for bank building; Affordability of rents at redeveloped apartments, and more!
Hello and thank you for reading!
Local music legend Bruce Hornsby is perhaps best known for his hit, “The Way It Is,” in which he deftly critiques a mosaic of troubling human conditions with observations and descriptions that seem just as relevant today as when he wrote the classic years ago. I believe the song teaches that pushing for change is often necessary and that concern and care for others are high virtues, worth making changes (and sacrifices) to achieve.
For anyone keeping track, I’m not from Williamsburg originally. Some longtime locals probably think that means I haven’t lived here long enough to have an opinion that matters. But whether you’ve lived here your whole life or you’re just visiting for the first time, it’s obvious that the City of Williamsburg stands at a fork in the road. One path challenges us to address long-standing problems concerning fairness and access, while striving to preserve the City’s unique, historic character. The other path sets the stage for corporate redevelopment of entire downtown blocks and other sections of town without regard for those affected, or those left out.
I empathize with people who are looking for housing around here or have given up on the hope altogether. Several years ago, it took us a year and half to find a home in Williamsburg that we liked and could afford. That seemed like forever, and at one point, we gave up totally discouraged, and tried to buy a home in Newport News, offering 125% of the asking price. Fortunately, someone else was even more desperate and outbid us by offering 135% of the asking price, SMH. Thankfully, we ultimately found a house in Williamsburg that works for us. I realize many others can’t say that, and that’s why I believe building more affordable housing must be a major consideration for how our community proceeds with growth. Otherwise we’re simply exacerbating, not solving, our housing problems.
Late last week, after Williamsburg City Council blew the dust off an old economic development study, City staff recommended rezoning 5 city blocks for high-density, mixed-use development. The plan would more than double the number of “street front” properties on those blocks. Marketed under the amorphous term “vibrancy,” the move has the potential to change the landscape and character of the City more than any other since Rockefeller came to town.
But since I’m being honest, now that I have a place here in Williamsburg, I mostly want to keep it quaint the way it is. That’s why we moved here — not for Sports Towns or premier entertainment districts. And I don’t think that makes me a bad person (or others who feel as I do). The people of Williamsburg have the right to determine the fate of our town. Blanket zoning changes affecting large swaths of land denies us the chance to make sure our voices are heard, while the calls for wholesale change remain plenty loud enough. But ask yourself, for what end?
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NEWS: City Council Targets 5 Downtown Streets for High Density, Mixed-Use Zoning … Changes would allow stacked townhomes, elevator flats and apartments with ground floor retail on Scotland, Prince George, N. Boundary, N. Henry and Francis Streets
The Williamsburg City Council received updates from several senior staff at its meeting on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at the Stryker Center. In one presentation, the Council heard recommendations to allow high density, mixed-use developments on 5 city streets, including Scotland, Prince George, N. Boundary, N. Henry and Francis Streets. Proposed zoning changes would allow “townhomes, stacked townhomes, elevator flats and apartments” as well as “mixed-use buildings where ground floor is commercial and upper floors are either residential or office,” said Yuri Matsumoto, the City’s Economic Development Director. After the presentation, none of the Council Members voiced any concerns or asked any questions about the size and scope of the proposed zoning changes. Read more …
COMMENTARY: City’s Affordable Housing 'Song & Dance' Just A 'Bait & Switch'? … Rents for recent developments — Governors on North Henry, Current Midtown, High Street View and others — unaffordable for Williamsburg's 'typical' family
At a recent City Council meeting, Williamsburg Mayor Doug Pons reminisced about growing up in the City, and touted the possibility of more families living downtown again. His statements followed a presentation from City staff recommending significantly more mixed-use, high-density developments on 5 downtown city streets. But a review of rents at recent City-approved redevelopment projects reveals that affordability hasn’t been a high priority.
The CEO and President of Colonial Williamsburg, Cliff Fleet, recently echoed the Mayor’s sentiments about the need to build affordable housing. While speaking to a neighborhood group, Fleet lamented the struggles his workforce has finding affordable housing locally. The implication was that the City needs to relax zoning and allow more high-density development, so the Foundation can deal with the lack of affordable housing by developing the land it owns.
But the results of recent projects tell a different story. When given the opportunity to build, neither the Foundation nor the City have attempted to seriously address the need for affordable housing. And while there’s a persistent conception that the Foundation is suffering financially, Fleet thinks otherwise, remarking to his neighborhood audience that CW’s financial performance in 2024 could turn out to be the best ever. Read more …
NEWS: JCC Supervisors Approve Waste Recycling Facility … Contents of septic tanks, grease traps and storm drains will become compost instead of going into local landfills
The James City County unanimously approved a special use permit (SUP) allowing a proposed waste recycling facility to proceed on a site off Green Mount Parkway, next to the Skiffe’s Creek Reservoir. According to County planning documents, Newport News-based Ziegler Plumbing intends to use the land for a facility capable of turning the waste from customer’s septic tanks, restaurant grease traps and sewer basins into compost. The company plans to sell the end product on a wholesale basis and the facility will not be open to the public. Overall, the company expects to process 7,000 gallons of “organic waste materials” daily, keeping it out of local landfills and creating 5,500 cubic yards of compost annually. Read more …
NEWS: Apartments in Vacant Bank Building Approved by Williamsburg Planning Commission … Final sign-off by City Council still needed for proposed conversion to mixed-use housing and retail
The Williamsburg Planning Commission recently voted to approve the conversion of a vacant bank building on the corner of Richmond Rd. and Matoaka Ct. into eleven apartment units sitting above ground floor retail.
Current zoning allows 6 residential units on the site, but under the proposed plan, a total of eleven will be built — four studio apartments and 7 1-BR apartments. No indication was provided as to how much these apartments will cost, but other local apartment options are typically well above the City’s median gross rent. Read more …
INFOGRAPHIC: Architectural Review Board 2024 Stats … The Williamsburg ARB met 21 times and considered 172 total requests to change residential and commercial structures
The infographic summarizes information provided in the Williamsburg Architectural Review Board 2024 Annual Report. According to the report’s introduction, the purpose of the ARB is to “preserve, protect, enhance, and maintain the architectural excellence and historic importance of the Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area and surrounding historic neighborhood.”
In order to accomplish this goal, the Board wields significant control over the look and materials used for changes to existing structures, new construction, as well as signage.
Check out our exclusive infographic below for more details about the work of this important influence in our community over the past year. Read more …
(Update 1-18-25: Removed quotes from certain text for clarity. Update 1-17-24: The song title was corrected.)
George Arbogust is Founder and Editor of the Williamsburg Independent. You can contribute too! Email tips & story ideas: contact@williamsburgindependent.com