Subscribers' Digest (2-20-25)
Williamsburg budget pressures, JCC approves solar farm, Massive cruise ships in Yorktown + polls & more ...
The snowy weather isn’t slowing down the Williamsburg Independent (yes it is). I don’t feel too bad though because we’ve featured new posts 9 out of the past 10 days and 39 since the beginning of the year, most with original photos and/or graphics, too. That’s new content you won’t find anywhere else every 1.3 days (not that I’m counting). Thanks for reading!
NEWS
NEWS: City Faces More Debt, Increased Water Rates, Higher School Costs
City Manager’s preliminary budget leaves real estate tax rate unchanged amid slumping assessments
The FY26 preliminary budget introduced by the City Manager totals a little more than $110M, which would amount to a 16% increase over the City’s adopted FY25 budget. The largest increase in costs comes from the City Manager’s request for more than $39M for capital projects, an increase of $12M (44%) year over year, though even this figure leaves out several projects that City leadership had previously considered. A few major issues cloud the picture on the budget.
NEWS: Williamsburg City Council Approves Apartments for Vacant Bank Building
Special use permit allows 11 units atop ground floor retail on Richmond Road
During their meeting at the Stryker Center, the Williamsburg City Council voted unanimously to approve an application to allow apartments in a vacant bank building on Richmond Road. The project will create 11 units including both efficiency and 1-bedrooms. More details about the project and the process to get there.
NEWS: City Considers Traffic Circle to Replace Signals at Intersection of Richmond Rd / Monticello Ave / Lafayette St
Also, wider traffic lanes + mixed-use path in the works for stretch of Lafayette Street
During a work session earlier this week, the Williamsburg City Council heard updates about several potential transportation-related projects. In particular, a proposed traffic circle at a major intersection could be both transformative for the area in the long run, and quite disruptive in the meantime. I’m just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round.
NEWS: Split vote by JCC Supervisors Approves Solar Farm along Richmond Rd
Action removes 60 acres from Mill Creek Agricultural and Forestal District and grants special use permit to build solar array
At a meeting earlier this week, a majority of the James City County Board of Supervisors supported the steps necessary to create a solar farm on 60.6 acres of land previously used for commercial logging, and which was part of the Mill Creek Agricultural and Forestal District. This one got more daylight than I was expecting.
COMMENTARY
GUEST COMMENTARY: Renaming James Blair Middle School
On Tuesday, the WJCC School Board will discuss renaming the Williamsburg school
This piece contains guest commentary by JW Caterine, the Editor of local newsletter Round The Triangle, who contacted me to share his thoughts on changing the name of James Blair Middle School in Williamsburg. Read JW’s thoughts here.
Update: James Robinson reported on the school board’s decision for the Daily Press.
COMMENTARY: Mega Cruise Ships Circling Yorktown
York County Supervisors vote next week on cruising ordinance; past media coverage explains how we got here (again)
Supervisors will consider changes to the current zoning laws related to ships visiting the small town. The measure would mandate Board approval of a special use permit for any large ships to visit Yorktown in the future. According to an email sent to the Board of Supervisors by opponents of the measure, the new ordinance is a “loophole” for “character-altering ships.” I don’t like the idea of massive cruse ships at Yorktown, and I like massive tourism deals worked out in private even less.
Digby Solomon of Williamsburg Watch reported on the York County Board’s decision here.
GUEST COMMENTARY: Rising Residential Real Estate Property Assessments & Increased Spending
PART 1 in a series about Williamsburg’s Budget & Finances by Bob Wilson
The City has recently issued their Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the Year Ended June 30, 2024, and since fiscal 2025 is not yet complete, this provides the most current source for looking in depth at City finances. We plan a multi-part series looking at various aspects of the City’s operations and its budget for next year. Get Bob’s first take on the City’s finances and budget here.
COMMENTARY: City’s ‘Town & Gown’ Report Lacks Input from Residents & Students
Meanwhile, local leadership paints rosy picture of City/College relationship
I wonder how the City Manager can be such an expert in bridging gaps between residents and students without soliciting their opinions first. On the other hand, the report contains the feedback and opinions of at least fifteen City employees and elected officials, as well as eleven people employed by the College — but not full-time residents or current students. I’m starting to see a pattern here.
POLLS
POLL: Biggest Issue for The City's Budget
Proposed water rate increases, school system contract, keeping real estate tax rate low, City debt load
The City Council recently met on a Friday morning at 8am in the firehouse to discuss the FY26 budget. Just in case that wasn’t a convenient time for you, we wanted to know what you think about the biggest issue facing the City in terms of its budget?
POLL: Downtown Children's Splash Park
How much do you know about Williamsburg's plans to borrow $6.5M to build a history-themed play area in Peacock Hill neighborhood?
I’m wondering what you’ve heard about the $6.5M to build a splash park near Colonial Williamsburg. I’m starting to wonder if I was the only one in the dark about the splash park (entirely possible).
POLL: Biggest 'Town & Gown' Issue
Since the City's recent report lacks both resident and student input, here's an online poll
The question is: “What is the biggest ‘Town & Gown’ issue in the City?” Is it a shortage of housing, parking issues, traffic and congestion, property code violations, noise concerns?