WILLIAMSBURG — Williamsburg City Council voted to turn the former Wells Fargo building at Richmond Road and Matoaka Court into a mixed-residential building — with stipulations — at its February meeting.
The special use permit proposal requested a maximum of 14 units per net acre, however, the applicant only seeks to create 11 apartments on the second and third floors of the building located at 1006 Richmond Road, with the first floor set aside for commercial use.
A traffic study conducted and presented before the city council showed with the current traffic volume, 16 eastbound vehicles cut through the residential street of Matoka Court/Mt. Vernon Avenue, as did five westbound vehicles. In peak afternoon hours, however, the study found 22 eastbound vehicles and four westbound vehicles made the cut-through. According to the study, traffic would decrease compared to previous uses of the building.
Closing one of the entrances into the property was discussed, with concerns raised about whether it would be a safety hazard in case of a fire. Concerns were also raised that the first floor might eventually become apartments rather than retail space, as intended.
A motion was made by the council to approve the request on the condition that approval of residential use on the second and third stories is based on the first floor remaining dedicated to commercial uses at all times. Additionally, occupancy be limited to not more than two people per apartment.
Finally, the most southwesterly entrance to and from the rear parking area from the building exiting onto Matoka Court would be permanently closed prior to the issuance of any occupancy permit. No entry or exit from that entrance would be permitted, however, that may be modified depending upon review by the fire department. The entrance from the drive though will also be closed permanently.
The motion to grant the permit with these conditions was unanimously approved.
The next city council meeting will be held on March 13 at 2 p.m. in the Stryker Center. For more information, please visit the official website.
