A 96-unit luxury apartment complex on High Street has received approval.
Williamsburg’s City Council voted unanimously Thursday to approve a request from Steven Middleton with HS Apt Land LC for a special-use permit to build the apartments.
The complex will be constructed adjacent to Sterling Manor and behind the Movie Tavern in the Shops at High Street.
Council members said they believed the apartments will be a welcome addition to that part of the city. Meeting documents say the city’s Comprehensive Plan has identified that part of town as an area where housing developments should be encouraged.
“It’s also good for the commerce base in High Street,” said Councilor Doug Pons. “We need that density, we need people [living] in that area with money in their pockets to spend in that shopping area.”
The apartments will be split among eight two-story buildings. Sixty-four of the apartments will be one-bedrooms and 32 will be two-bedrooms.
In addition, 166 parking spaces will be provided.
A proposal for townhomes on the property had previously been approved in 2015, according to meeting documents. The applicant asked council to allow for reconfiguring the lots into luxury apartments.
The new apartments will use existing streets and utilities built for the townhomes project.
The applicant did not attend Thursday’s meeting, but said during December’s Planning Commission meeting the complex will have a playground and outdoor-kitchen area.
The apartment complex hasn’t been named, according to Principal Planner Erin Burke. The applicant also hasn’t indicated a timeline for construction.
As part of Thursday’s proposal, the applicant asked City Council for a special-use permit to reduce the setback — or distance from the street — from 15 to seven feet.
City staff recommended that council approve the proposal. The Planning Commission recommended the same by a 7-0 vote.
