Xanterra Kingsmill LLC has decided to pull its request to build 207 homes in Kingsmill until community concerns can be better addressed.
The company’s attorney Vernon Geddy III submitted a letter to James City County’s Planning Division on Tuesday that withdraws most of the application to amend the Kingsmill master plan. A portion of the plan to allow cottage owners of the 18 Cottages on the James, which are already approved and under construction behind Kingsmill Resort, to stay in the units longer than 60 days, is still being pursued.
The plan for 207 homes went before the James City County Planning Commission on March 5, when about 100 residents turned out and about 25 of them spoke about the plan. A single person supported the expansion, while other speakers cited concerns with noise pollution from Busch Gardens and environmental impacts as outstanding concerns.
Planning staff and the commissioners were concerned about a lack of affordable housing and payments to offset possible effects on schools.
Gary Raymond, managing director of Winding Road Development Company LLC, which has been contracted to work on the expansion, said Xanterra will address the main concerns of citizens and the county before submitting a new plan. Xanterra will consider plant life along Carter’s Grove Country Road, affordable housing and school payments and clarifying information about noise transmission from Busch Gardens.
“I’m sure there are other questions out there, but that really seems to the bulk,” Raymond said. “All the way through this process, we’ve been listening and making changes, and we’ll continue to do that. I believe Xanterra has been very cooperative.”
The company’s decision to pull its expansion plan came with a promise of a new future plan, which will take all concerns into consideration. Raymond said he did not have an estimate for when a new application would be submitted. He said Xanterra will consider the time staff and the commission needs to review the plan
“I continue to want people to know we’re listening and making changes, always for the better,” Raymond said.
Related Coverage:
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- Kingsmill Resort Hosts Info Session on Latest Plans for Xanterra Development
- JCC Meeting Fills in Kingsmill Residents on Xanterra-Planned Development
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