Three housing plans with 1,074 homes stall on the same night
On Oct. 13, housing proposals totaling 1,074 homes were withdrawn in James City County, delayed in Montgomery County and rejected in Richmond.
Three housing proposals totaling 1,074 homes stalled in three corners of Virginia on Tuesday, Oct. 13. One was pulled before a vote in James City County, one was put off in Montgomery County, and one was rejected by Richmond City Council.
In James City County, the developers of the Bluffs at Kiskiack withdrew their rezoning application before the Board of Supervisors' scheduled hearing. The plan near Croaker called for 704 homes, more than half in a senior community, plus retail, office and lodging space and an open-air museum for 42 presidential busts from the former Presidents Park in York County. About 950 people signed a petition against it, and Board Chair John McGlennon said a majority was not there to grant another deferral.
It is the second large housing proposal pulled in James City County in two months, after Cardinal Ridge in September. The county already has about 7,000 approved homes that have not been built, according to Williamsburg Watch. A withdrawn application can be refiled, but it must restart the full review process.
In Montgomery County, supervisors voted unanimously to postpone a decision on Stateson Homes' plan for 349 homes, 225 single-family houses and 124 townhomes, on more than 263 acres of the historic Fotheringay property in Elliston. Estimated average prices are $385,000 for houses and $285,000 for townhomes, built in three phases over five to eight years. Most of the 33 speakers opposed the plan, which would roughly double Elliston's population of 855. The board takes it up again Oct. 26.
In Richmond, City Council voted 8-1 to reject a special-use permit for 21 for-sale townhomes at 901-923 S. Meadow St. near Byrd Park, proposed by Audeo Partners at around $500,000 each. Council members cited traffic, parking and gentrification concerns, though the Planning Commission had recommended approval. The same night, council approved Lombardy Flats: 249 apartments and more than 11,000 square feet of retail in two five-story buildings on North Lombardy Street.
All three proposals would add homes in a state short on housing, and each shows how neighborhood opposition can stop or delay a project at the final local vote.
What's next
- Oct. 26 Montgomery County supervisors take up the Elliston rezoning again, 7:15 p.m., Christiansburg (no new public hearing)