Celebrate spring blossoms by entering your photographs of area gardens in the city’s Beautiful Williamsburg contest, held in recognition of Historic Gardens week. Next Wednesday, the Planning Commission will review proposed zoning changes for the Northeast Triangle and commercial corridor.
City Celebrates Garden Week
Residents are invited to share their images of beautiful outdoor spaces in the city for the Beautiful Williamsburg contest.
Participants can submit up to three photos; photos of private gardens can be from anywhere in the Historic Triangle, but any public space, architectural detail or sculpture must be from the city of Williamsburg. Entries will be accepted until Tuesday, and will be judged by the Beautification Advisory Committee. Submit entries to communications@williamsburgva.gov, and they will be posted to the city’s Facebook page.
The winning entry will receive two tickets, valued at $175, granting entry to all of Virginia’s homes and gardens participating in Historic Garden Week from April 20-27. This includes more than 200 homes and gardens, detailed here.
The first runner-up will receive two tickets to the 80th Anniversary Historic Garden Week Williamsburg Tour on April 23. In addition, three entrants will be chosen at random to receive $25 gift certificates to The Trellis in Merchant’s Square. Winners will be announced on Thursday.
For more information, call 220-6197 or email khoving@williamsburgva.gov.
Planning Commission to Consider Six Zoning Changes
The Planning Commission will continue its effort to implement the changes outlined in the Comprehensive Plan at its April 17 meeting.
The cases center on changes in the Northeast Triangle Planning Area and commercial corridors.
B-2 Corridor District
The Comprehensive Plan, adopted in December 2012, recommends conserving the city’s 6 percent vacant commercial land for new commercial or mixed-use development, with limitations on residential use.
Proposed projects would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, with apartments, condos and townhouses encouraged. The maximum residential floor area in the B-2 District, which currently only allows condos, would stay at 67 percent of the total floor area. The density of 14 dwelling units per net acre would not change.
The plan also calls for reducing the front yard requirement on Richmond Road between New Hope/Bypass Road and Ironbound Road. The B-3 District requires a 15-foot front yard, while the B-2 District requires a 35-foot front yard. The city would like to keep the 15-foot requirement for lots fronting Richmond Road in that area.
Changing the zoning of the area, which includes High Street, would require a special use permit to allow The Virginia Gazette’s newspaper printing and publishing facilities. As a result of the changes in zoning, Richmond Road between Bypass and Ironbound Road, along with part of Ironbound Road, would be rezoned from B-3 to B-2 conditional.
In the northeast triangle area, the plan recommends reducing the setback and buffer requirements on Second Street between Page Street and Parkway Drive. The existing requirements inhibit future redevelopment of the area, according to the plan. The regulations for lots fronting Second Street would be reduced from 15 to 5 feet, and the transitional screening buffer would be reduced from 35 to 10 feet.
Although not specifically recommended by the Comprehensive Plan, it is proposed to also add “micro-brewery, micro-distillery, micro-winery and micro-cidery” as a use allowed by special use permit in the B-2 District.
LB-3 Limited Business Residential District
Two areas in the Northeast Triangle are proposed to be designated for mixed-use development: the area between Penniman Road and the CSX Railroad east of Page Street, and The Beeches at 1030 Capitol Landing Road.
The proposal for The Beeches would ensure a historic home on the property is preserved and incorporated into any redevelopment. Rezoning to LB-3 is recommended not to be approved until a master plan has been submitted for the property, according to the plan.
Capitol Heights/Pinecrest Area
The 2013 Comprehensive Plan designates the Capitol Heights/Pinecrest area for detached, single-family residences with medium density, which is consistent with the existing density. The RS-3 District also allows live/work space for artists and artisans, with a special exception from the Board of Zoning Appeals. The area is proposed to be rezoned from RS-2 to RS-3.
Capitol Landing Road Rezoning
The final proposal to be reviewed would rezone nearly 6 acres at 919 Capitol Landing Road from LB-4 Limited Business Corridor to B-2 Corridor Business District. The proposed zone allows a variety of business uses and multifamily dwellings, including townhouses.
The Planning Commission meeting will begin at 3:30 p.m. April 17 in the Stryker Building.
Mayor Encourages Citizens to Conserve Water
Mayor Clyde Haulman is challenging Williamsburg residents to join him as he participates in the National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation throughout April.
Participants who sign the pledge have a chance to win prizes, including a Toyota Prius.
