Commission unanimously recommends Liberty Crossing master-plan amendment and Centerville Road rezoning after staff presents boundary-line adjustment

James City County planning staff presented a boundary-line adjustment (BLA) and two rezones on Nov. 5 that reallocate approximately 0.188 acres between a Liberty Crossing perimeter buffer and a private parcel at 6429 Centerville Road. Staff told the commission the swap reduces the Liberty Crossing development area slightly, lowers the calculated density from 6.37 to 6.11 dwelling units per acre and reduces the capped number of units from 244 to 234. Staff said the area to be added back to the open-space buffer is mature, wooded, and will preserve natural open space.

Because the parcels involved carry different zoning (a portion of the Liberty Crossing buffer area is currently mixed use), staff recommended two rezones: (1) rezone the Liberty Crossing portion proposed for removal to A-1 to match the private parcel, and (2) rezone the portion of the private parcel to mixed-use to match Liberty Crossing. Staff confirmed the hatched area is not in a Resource Protection Area. There is no proposed new development at this time; future development will require compliance with applicable zoning and the 2045 comprehensive plan.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about whether the subject areas are in the RPA and whether the house on the private parcel will remain; staff confirmed no loss of natural open space and that the house will remain. A commissioner noted people will likely cross the property regardless of the legal status, and several commissioners expressed support for making the parcels'status official and preserving the wooded open space.

A motion to recommend approval for the Liberty Crossing master-plan amendment (Z25-0001 / MP25-0002) and a separate motion to rezone the Centerville Road parcel (Z25-0002) passed by roll call; both recommendations were unanimous.