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Board approves master-plan change to reduce Powhatan Terrace from 36 townhomes to four single-family lots
Summary
The Board approved MP-240004/Z-240010 to change an approved 36-unit multifamily plan to four single-family lots at 1676 Jamestown Road, citing reduced impervious cover and a proposed stormwater remediation plan; planners and the applicant noted the trade-off of losing workforce housing while improving environmental protections.
The James City County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a master-plan amendment and amended proffers for the Powhatan Terrace site at 1676 Jamestown Road, changing the previously approved 36-unit townhouse cluster into four single-family lots.
Planning staff and the Planning Commission (7–0) recommended approval, citing compatibility with surrounding zoning and a mitigation plan to address runoff from the neighboring Raleigh Square development. Planning Commission comments acknowledged that the change reduces the county's potential workforce and affordable housing stock but noted environmental factors and erosion concerns supported the reduction in density.
Attorney Greg Davis, representing JTR Properties and the landowner, said the revised proposal "is essentially just less intensive residential," and highlighted retention of a 50-foot vegetated buffer, a proffered 5-foot sidewalk, increased open space compared with the previously approved plan, and a stone remediation project to address an eroded outfall from Raleigh Square.
Board members asked detailed questions about site access, responsibilities for stormwater maintenance, and the long-term reliability of small homeowners associations (HOAs) to maintain stormwater structures. The applicant clarified the HOA would maintain the access road and a remediation structure; individual homeowners would be responsible for on-lot stormwater facilities. One supervisor urged caution in relying on small HOAs, noting the county historically steps in when HOAs fail.
After discussion, a supervisor moved to approve the master-plan and proffer amendment; the motion carried unanimously. The approval included acceptance of the submitted proffers and staff conditions and keeps the planning commission's 50-foot community character buffer in place.
