Certain zoning districts in the City of Williamsburg might soon be open to new businesses.
At its Sept. 17 meeting, the Williamsburg Planning Commission voted to schedule a public hearing on a proposal that would implement more flexible regulations for areas zoned in one limited business corridor district, LB-4.
As it is currently structured, uses in that zone include banks, offices, nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and several “public uses.” Office buildings larger than 10,000 square feet require a special use permit. It also allows for hospitals and heliports for medical transport helicopters.
Eight areas of the city are presently zoned LB-4 districts: two at the intersection of Route 199 and Jamestown Road, three on Strawberry Plains Road, the Williamsburg-James City County Courthouse, South Henry Street near Route 199, and Spring Arbor Assisted Living at Capitol Landing near Merrimac Trail. Three of those areas are conditionally zoned and include additional use restrictions.
City staff compiled a list of possible permissible businesses for the districts, including “convenience stores” like barbershops, spas and tailors, fitness studios, veterinary offices and clinics, and medical and dental offices.
City staff also suggested standardizing the permitted uses of LB-4 districts and areas with similar uses and proffers, along with the removal of several outdated uses, including office supply shops, pharmacies, printing shops, hospitals and heliports.
Nester said the city cannot change the use restrictions without a request from the property owner. If the zoning changes are approved, Nester suggested the city contact property owners and suggest they request the use of their properties be aligned with the LB-4 uses.
Planning Commission members questioned the inclusion of several of the proposed permitted uses.
“I wouldn’t want a fitness studio next to my office,” Commission member Dan Quarles said. “It’s just kind of a noisier business enterprise than banks and offices.”
Commission member Jeffrey Klee agreed. Klee said fitness studios and other similar group activity businesses could have a negative impact on transportation in the eight areas of the city that would be affected.
“I could see a fitness studio, even a relatively modest one, having a lot more traffic,” Klee said.
Klee also said the exclusion of residential uses seemed unnecessary, considering the city’s support of mixed-use development.
“Why someone would want to live in an office park is kind of beside the point, but it seems to me that prohibiting the residential aspect is somewhat unnecessary,” Klee said.
Planning Commission Chairman Demetrios Florakis said the city should be protective of its limited commercial property, a point with which Klee agreed.
Planning Commission members agreed to add a public hearing on the proposed changes to the board’s Oct. 15 meeting agenda.
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