Williamsburg, VA 23188
The York County Economic Development Authority is eyeing several hundred acres of land owned by Williamsburg Pottery.
The EDA voted 6-0 Tuesday to fund a planning and engineering analysis to evaluate the land owned by the Williamsburg tourist attraction.
More than 800 acres are situated between Route 60, Interstate 64 East and Lightfoot Road. The land is mostly undeveloped and separated into numerous parcels, York County Economic Development Director Jim Noel said.
The Williamsburg Campark, a timeshare and Williamsburg Pottery president and CEO Kim Maloney’s house also sit on the land.
Eighty percent of the undeveloped land — 620 acres — is located in York County, while 20 percent — 191 acres — is located in James City County, according to a York County property map.
Noel told EDA members Tuesday there have been multiple meetings with the Williamsburg Pottery owners, York County officials and representatives from James City County to “discuss the future of the land and what it may or may not hold.”
He said the land “holds a lot of potential because of its location and because of its size”; is attractive because of its proximity to the interstate; has utilities available and is surrounded by major attractions such as Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens.
Noel said a property of this size could potentially be used for a large commerce park, a large business park or another large tourism attraction, something all three localities could possibly invest in. He said Williamsburg Pottery is supportive of the study, and there is indication the owners would be willing to sell.
“When you have all those positive attributes combined with the physical attributes of this land, it’s a pretty rare commodity,” Noel said. “This property is so important to us that it warrants us doing this kind of investigation.”
The results of the planning and engineering analysis would help the EDA better evaluate the land, which the EDA could then market to potential developers interested in building on the land.
The cost of the analysis is $16,000 for the land located in York County. James City County’s EDA would be tasked with funding the $4,000 for the 20 percent of land in its locality.
EDA member Bradley Berrane suggested the EDA be reimbursed for the cost of the study if Williamsburg Pottery were to sell the land.
James City County is also funding a corridor study that looks at the possible extension of Mooretown Road, which would, if carried out, go through the Williamsburg Pottery property. Small focus groups met in April to discuss the benefits of the extension.
The study will likely last 12 to 15 months and will include multiple public meetings, according to a project overview on James City County’s website. A public meeting to consider the study will be held at Norge Elementary school at 7 p.m. Oct. 20.
The James City County EDA still has to consider the study for the portion of land located in the county. A date for consideration has not been set.
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