This post is opinion and commentary.
The William & Mary Real Estate Foundation released information late last week regarding a proposed townhouse development on Richmond Road between Brooks Street and Matoaka Court. The new community of 37 for-sale homes would encompass several lots, including land the foundation already owns as well as vacant property currently owned by the City of Williamsburg. One of the foundation’s lots is the current site of Richmond Hall, an old motel converted into dorms (though the statement was clear that this project is not being done on behalf of the College). The potential sale of City land for redevelopment comes as Williamsburg prepares to write a new comprehensive plan to guide land use over the coming decade.
“This is an important site, and we recognize that what is built here needs to feel like it belongs in Williamsburg,” wrote Logan Hall, Chief Executive Officer of the William & Mary Real Estate Foundation, in a statement he shared via email. The statement continued that the “objective has been to develop a plan that is economically viable, architecturally appropriate and respectful of the surrounding neighborhoods and Richmond Road corridor. We believe the proposal we’ve submitted accomplishes those goals.”
The former site of the Tioga Motel has sat vacant for nearly 20 years and most people probably agree that it shouldn’t stay that way forever. The City-owned .69 acre property at 906 Richmond Road is assessed at $1.07 million, which is slightly less than they paid for it in 2007. The Foundation’s 1.6 acres and former hotel at 902 Richmond Road was purchased in 2017 and has a total assessed value of $13.29 million. Also included in the plans is .48 acres at 800 Richmond Road, which is the current home to Williamsburg Montessori School.
Part of the proposed site for a community of 37 townhouses. Shown here is the vacant lot at 906 Richmond Road, City-owned land that was once the site of the Tioga motel. The property was purchased in 2007 and the building demolished. The lot has been vacant since.
These are prime spots with many potential uses, as the real estate foundation’s statement described. They noted that higher density development or commercial uses like a new hotel were also considered. The City’s site is currently zoned for commercial uses and the Foundation’s parcel uses are listed Dormitories and Private School. So it seems like the City is already on board with rezoning for residential housing, which is something that should be evaluated during the rewrite of the comprehensive plan.
The Foundation’s desire to invest in the City is obviously a good thing and their proposed neighborhood could very well be the best use. Maybe the City is getting a fair price and the resulting development will generate the best financial return. But the proposed changes deserve public scrutiny, especially given the upcoming comprehensive plan rewrite.
So what’s the rush? City leadership has touted upcoming efforts to engage the public in the comp plan process. They hired a consultant to help with multiple aspects of writing the report, including gathering public input through open houses, surveys etc. To their credit, City staff have developed new information sessions about zoning principles and announced ways for the public to participate in community steering committees. They recently hosted a community forum on a proposed bike path. All are positive steps towards building trust in the planning process and satisfaction with the outcomes. The message was that the City wants you to be involved.
But surprise development deals worked out behind closed doors undermine trust in that message. Dropping finished concepts in people’s laps fait accompli and then asking for their input is counterproductive.
Earlier this year, the City made clear that they were keeping the door open for incremental zoning changes before the completion of the full comprehensive plan. Makes one wonder what else might be coming and if those outcomes have already been worked out in advance. The lack of disclosure is reminiscent of proposed development projects that sparked significant public backlash such as the Spotswood golf course and city-owned land on Strawberry Plains Road. Why choose that path again when you’ve already identified a better way?
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Where can one see the planning documents online, and keep tabs on this development?