A vote to recommend the construction of a 45-unit subdivision in James City County ended in a deadlock Wednesday night.
The James City County Planning Commissioners couldn’t come to a consensus on a proposed development near the intersection of Longhill Road and Centerville Road after a 3-3 tie vote. The proposal will move to the Board of Supervisors consideration next month, according to Planning Director Paul Holt.
That decision is eagerly awaited by applicant Elliot York of American Eastern, Inc. who presented development plans to the planning commission Wednesday.
York said his recent experience as a first-time homebuyer led him to want to build homes that were “affordable,” a specific designation the county defines as property with a monthly rent equal to or lower than 30 percent of a household’s monthly income.
“The typical millennial generation that you read about, that comes out of school with exorbitant student loan debt, that was me,” York told the commission. “You’ve got a lot of debt and the rental prices now are almost as expensive as some people spend on their mortgages.”
But the developer’s plans drew questions from three commissioners who called into question whether the development would be affordable for working class families.
“I voted against the special use permit because I don’t think it’s true affordable housing,” Commissioner Robin Bledsoe said following the meeting. She said she has children who are “millenials” like York, and they could not afford homes the developer estimated could cost upwards of $250,000.
At least 40 percent of the development will be classified as “affordable” or “workforce” housing, according to meeting documents, and if approved will be constructed on roughly 16 wooded acres in the county’s Forest Glen neighborhood.
James City County’s website currently lists four affordable housing options within the county, which include Ironbound Square near New Town, Chestnut Grove in Grove, Liberty Crossing in Lightfoot and the Village at Candle Station in Norge.
According to county Senior Planner Savannah Pietrowski, the site is currently zoned for only one housing unit per acre. York’s proposed development would be nearly three times as dense — at 2.79 units per acre. To increase the number of houses allowed per acre, the developer must apply for a special use permit from the county.
James City County’s Board of Supervisors may allow for more units per acre in this case, because the homes are designated workforce or affordable housing.
“In order to get the higher density, there are certain incentives that are provided,” said Pietrowski. “It has been identified in our Comprehensive Plan and Strategic Plan to find ways to provide more affordable housing.”
Planning Commissioner Danny Schmidt, who voted in favor of a special use permit, said his only concern with the proposal was the more than $200,000 it would cost the county after the General Assembly removed the ability for localities to collect proffers in 2016. Proffers are financial promises made to localities by developers to offset the costs a development would bring to the county.
Commissioners Jack Haldeman (Berkeley), John Wright, III (At-large), and Robin Bledsoe (Jamestown) voted against the measure. Commissioners Danny Schmidt (Roberts), Tim O’Connor (At-large), and Richard Krapf (Powhatan) voted for the measure. Commissioner Heath Richardson (Stonehouse) was absent from the meeting.
The proposal is tentatively scheduled to go before the Board of Supervisors for a public hearing and vote on June 13.
WYDaily archives were used in this story.
