Colonial Williamsburg’s military equipment will be taking a trip soon—but just across the historic area.
The military program operation, which includes storing cannons and gunpowder, is currently housed at the Market Square Tavern Up and Down Cottage at 110-D E. Duke of Gloucester St. but will soon move to the Greenhow Tenement Stable, which currently houses landscape materials.
The military operations’ current area is only 370 square feet and the new location will provide nearly double the space at 680 square feet.
Members of the Board of Zoning Appeals approved the move at their meeting on Aug. 29 with a special exception permit but not without considering potential issues the move could cause.
A change in use requires a special exception permit from the Board of Zoning Appeals, said Frank Ferrante, chairman of the board. To make the special exception, Colonial Williamsburg had to satisfy certain requirements.
“You can’t just throw something up and toss dirty powder in it,” Ferrante said.
Board members needed proof that it would not affect the property value of surrounding real estate, it does not impair adequate light and air to adjacent properties and that it does not increase public danger, according to the meeting’s minutes.
“They were in agreement that it should be done with safety as a priority,” Ferrante said.
Approval was given based on those requirements but only on the condition that they provide more information on addressing safety concerns, Ferrante said.
“We approved it, but when they first brought this thing up we thought about the gunpowder being put in the building,” Ferrante said. “You have to think about the potential hazards, having people near, the employees going in and out. It’s not current-day military equipment but there could still be a danger.”
Colonial Williamsburg was able to ease some of the board’s concerns by showing that they already possessed an approval for gunpowder storage from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Ferrante said.
Peter Seibert, executive director of Colonial Williamsburg, also explained that additional safety precautions would be in place such as a sprinkler system, fire alarms and a prohibition on smoking in the area, according to the minutes of the meeting.
The gunpowder will also be stored in three separate fireproof lockers in the stable.
“What they’re planning to do is clean it, fix it and make it safer,” Ferrante said.
Ferrante said members of the Board of Zoning went out on a rainy day in September to see the stable and were satisfied with the distance the stable was from heavy foot traffic.
The stable will be reinforced with a surrounding 6-foot wall, which will be painted white. The wall addresses concerns with housing potentially explosive equipment by creating a protective barrier, Ferrante said.
The fence also would conceal any mechanical equipment which could be displeasing to the eye, especially for a historic destination, said Robert H. Lane, architectural review board chairman.
In addition, the stable will have a new roof built with wooden shingles. The shingles will weather to a gray color, which matches the historic look of the location, Lane said.
When refurbishing locations in Colonial Williamsburg, one of the aspects that has to be considered is adhering to a colonial aesthetic.
“Not only will it support the operational needs, but they want to preserve, protect and maintain the unique character in the area,” Ferrante said.
Colonial Williamsburg declined to comment on the stable. Information on when the renovations would begin was not immediately released.
