Document Reveals CW’s Ambitious Plan for High-Density Residential and Commercial Development in Proposed New Recreation and Entertainment Zoning District
We just learned that Colonial Williamsburg has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to developers, through its agent Cushman Wakefield, which is linked HERE. The RFI gives us a glimpse of CW’s further plans for the 97-acre Visitor Center parcel and the completely separate 80-acre parcel at 1201 Bypass Road.
CW and the Historic Triangle Recreational Facilities Authority (HTRFA) seek to re-zone both parcels as a “Recreation and Entertainment” district even though the new sports complex (recreation) and possible future performing arts venue (entertainment) will be located solely on the Visitor Center property. You should read the RFI in its entirety, but here are a few key passages from the document:
“Given its location along I-64, between the Richmond and Newport News/Norfolk metros, the area’s population growth is projected to increase well above national and regional averages. That dynamic will increase demand for housing and support services; however, coupled with a limited supply of properly zoned land, available sites are scarce. It is in this environment that the subject Property offers a rare opportunity for transformational development.”
“The sites are currently zoned MS (Museum Services) . . . and will require rezoning and/or further entitlements to unlock its development potential.”
“The City of Williamsburg has indicated its support for the proposed uses and willingness to explore an overlay district or similar zoning classification for the project.”
“The Visitor Center and Pasture development opportunity is envisioned as a premier, master-planned new-urban community integrating all the elements of modern living in a walkable and sustainable setting (the ‘Project’)….”
“This Project will reflect thoughtful and scalable development with density of approximately 1 million sq. ft. which may include the following elements:
- 500+/- multifamily residential rental units in various phases
- 50-60 for -sale and/or rental residential (townhome) units
- 200,000 + sq. ft. of research and development/office space
- 50,000+/- sq. ft. of retail space, integrated into walkable ‘main street’
- Ample open space
- All integrated into the planned Historic Triangle Regional Sports and Entertainment Complex.”
What does any of this proposed residential/commercial development have to do with recreation and entertainment?
The Planning Commission will next meet on March 20, 2024, at 3:30 in the Stryker Center, when it will review and vote on the requested changes to the Comprehensive Plan and our zoning laws allowing for this high-density, multifamily residential and commercial development—and still without a master plan for the entire 177-acre proposed zoning district.
Let City officials know how you feel by emailing to the addresses below and attending the March 20th Planning Commission Meeting.
Working together, we can make a difference!
Fraser Hudgins
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Group Email List for City Council, Planning Commission, and Planning Department
Individual Email List of City Officials
| Name | Title | |
| Tevya Griffin | Planning Director | tgriffin@williamsburgva.gov |
| Heather Markle | Zoning Administrator | hmarkle@williamsburgva.gov |
| Andrew Trivette | City Manager | citymanager@williamsburgva.gov |
| Doug Pons | Mayor | dpons@williamsburgva.gov |
| Pat Dent | Vice Mayor | pdent@williamsburgva.gov |
| Barbara Ramsey | City Council Member | bramsey@williamsburgva.gov |
| Caleb Rogers | City Council Member | crogers@williamsburgva.gov |
| Stacy Kern-Sheerer | City Council Member | skernscheerer@williamsburgva.gov |
| James Boswell | Chair, Planning Commission (PC) | jboswell@williamsburgva.gov |
| John Tarley, Jr. | 1st Vice Chair, PC | jtarley@williamsburgva.gov |
| Greg Granger | 2nd Vice Chair, PC | ggranger@williamsburgva.gov |
| Marcia Liebel | PC Member | mliebel@williamsburgva.gov |
| John Cale | PC Member | jcale@williamsburgva.gov |
| H. Bud Phillips | PC Member | howardbudphillips@gmail.com |
| Bill Hamilton | PC Member | bhamilton@williamsburgva.gov |