JAMES CITY — The James City County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday cleared the way for a new housing development in Lightfoot and for two pre-kindergarten centers.
The board approved the rezoning of just under 16 acres Old Mooretown Road and Clark Lane for residential redevelopment. The rezoning will allow 47 dwellings to be built — 27 single family homes and 20 duplexes — along with a playground and a park.
“As we have developed our plan for Clark Lane, we have taken great efforts to engage current residents, and we hope to reflect their wishes in the proposed vision for the area,” the proposed design guidelines state.
The 1,100-1,400-square-foot units are expected to have three bedrooms and two bathrooms on average and be sold at “affordable” prices. The dwelling units will be targeted at people who earn between 30% and 120% of the area median income, and a minimum of 25% of the housing units must be targeted toward families earning under 80% of the AMI, which is $100,700.
According to county staff report, a family making 30% of the AMI is expected to be able to afford a unit costing $108,250. Additionally, a family making 100% of the AMI is expected to be able to afford a home costing $354,800.
Eight of the units will be built by Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg with a price point between 40% and 80% of the AMI. The location, near Sentara Williamsburg Medical Center, is considered ideal for workforce housing.
The board on Tuesday also approved rezoning and special use permits for two pre-K centers that will be built at Clara Byrd Baker Elementary School and at Norge Elementary School. Zoning applications come after years of discussion regarding how to fix the school system’s overcrowding issues.
At Clara Byrd, land on Ironbound Road will be rezoned to allow for a standalone 41,326-square-foot Bright Beginnings pre-K center. Thecenter will be able to accommodate 252 students ages 2 through 5, according to the county staff report. It will have classrooms, meeting rooms, indoor and outdoor play areas, and more.
“It will be just great,” supervisor John McGlennon said about moving forward with the project.
The pre-K center at Norge Elementary will be a standalone 42,000-square-foot school at 7311 Richmond Road that will be able to accommodate 252 students ages 2 through 5. It will also offer class rooms, play areas, meeting rooms and more.
The pre-K centers are expected to be completed toward the end of 2025.
Sam Schaffer, samuel.schaffer@virginiamedia.com
