The City of Williamsburg’s Planning Commission backed two proposals at its meeting Wednesday that would expand the city’s tax base.
In a unanimous vote, the commission voted to recommend approval of a special-use permit for the Copper Fox Distillery. The proposal now moves on to the Williamsburg City Council for final approval.
Rick Wasmund, owner of the Sperryville-based Copper Fox Distillery, has proposed transforming the former site of the Lord Paget Motel into a microdistillery. Wasmund’s plan includes “retail and distillery, storage and production, office and meeting rooms, barrel storage, gin garden and a residence for the owner.”
The city bought the property at 901 Capitol Landing Road in November 2011 for $697,400. Its most recent assessed value was $877,100. In June, Copper Fox agreed to purchase the property for $600,000, contingent on the approval of the special use permit.
John Tarley, an attorney representing Copper Fox in the process, said the proposed distillery would fit in well at the site.
“It’s going to be a true adaptive reuse of the property,” Tarley said. “They don’t intend to do anything but preserve the motor court-type of feel and look of that property.”
Tarley also said tourism would be a central focus at the distillery, pointing to the site’s nearby access to the Greater Williamsburg area, Interstate 64 and local tourist destinations as key motivations for the project. He said the distillery planned on selling products within a year of commencing operations.
Chairman Demetrios Florakis said the project was a win-win for the city and the distillery.
“The Lord Paget was the finest example of a motor court we had in Williamsburg and being able to preserve that architecture, I think means a lot,” he said. “And I agree with staff’s comments and with Mr. Tarley’s comments that this distillery will go a long way toward revitalizing that Capitol Landing Corridor.”
City estimates suggest the microdistillery will generate $216,000 in tax revenue in the first six years of operation, and then $86,000 in successive years.
The Commission also considered a site plan for a proposed time share development at 315 York St. at Wednesday’s meeting.
Bluegreen Vacations Unlimited Inc. submitted a proposal to construct three buildings comprising 115 timeshare units at the former site of the Patrick Henry Inn on York Street.
The company currently owns the former hotel site, along with the adjacent Liberty Inn. The proposal would eventually divide the parcel into two halves, consisting of the Liberty Inn to the south and the new timeshare complex to the north.
In a memo to the Commission, City Zoning Director Rodney Rhodes recommended the approval of the site plan, contingent on resolving “final engineering details,” including approval of a parking easement and the purchase of stormwater credits from the Regional Best Management Practices, which is designed to reduce stormwater pollution.
Rhodes said the proposed site plan meets all regulatory requirements except for the presence of a 10-foot buffer zone between parking areas and the property line. Bluegreen has requested a waiver from this requirement, which Rhodes said he recommended.
The Architectural Review Board had previously approved the site plan with the understanding final architectural approval would be required before construction could begin. Commissioner Jeffrey Klee said approval was important due to the location of the site near the entrance to the Historic area.
The commission approved the site plan in a unanimous vote.
Related Coverage:
- City Planning Commission to Review Copper Fox Distillery Proposal
- Growing Craft Beer, Liquor Industry in Historic Triangle Brings Jobs, Tourists
- Williamsurg Distillery Working to Open in James City County
- City Agrees to Sell Former Lord Paget Motel to Distillery
- Copper Fox Distillery Eyes City-Owned Lord Paget Motel Property
- New Timeshare Buildings May Replace Patrick Henry Inn
- City Successfully Bids on Lord Paget Motor Court
