Board approves rezoning of Fort Magruder hotel to mixed‑use; asks developer to pursue preservation easement for Civil War redoubt
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Summary
The Board of Supervisors approved rezoning of the Fort Magruder hotel property to mixed‑use, enabling an adaptive reuse plan that would convert the aging hotel into residential and commercial space with a 40% workforce/affordable housing proffer.
The James City County Board of Supervisors approved a rezoning ordinance and master plan for the Fort Magruder hotel property, allowing the site to change from general commercial hotel use to a mixed‑use development that the applicant says will deliver substantial housing and commercial reuse.
Proposal details: The developer proposed to convert the existing aging hotel and conference center into residential units and roughly 32,000 square feet of commercial space, including recreational amenities and about 1.1 acres of open space that will preserve an above‑ground Civil War redoubt on the site. The project proffers that 40% of the residential units will be workforce or affordable housing.
Why it matters: The hotel has been underused for several years. The rezoning allows adaptive reuse to address housing demand—particularly workforce housing—without new greenfield development and is expected to reduce impervious surface on the property while upgrading landscaping, parking, and stormwater infrastructure.
Historic‑resource concern: The Williamsburg Battlefield Association asked the board to encourage placement of a protective historic preservation easement over the site’s Civil War redoubt (identified in testimony as Redoubt No. 3), arguing it is one of the remaining battlefield features from the May 1862 engagement. The developer’s representatives said they would consider an easement and that the master plan indicates no disturbance to the redoubt.
Board action: Supervisors approved the rezoning ordinance by roll call and separately adopted a resolution urging the applicant to pursue a permanent protective easement for the redoubt. The board also asked staff to consider whether the county’s housing proffer policy should be revised to address affordability bands targeted by workforce housing programs.
Ending: The developer committed to continuing discussions with battlefield advocates and staff about permanent protection for the redoubt as part of final permitting and proffer language.
