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Planning commission recommends reapproval of Forest Heights senior independent living SUP with 50 affordable units proffer
Summary
The commission recommended Board of Supervisors approval of SUP 25-00126015 (Forest Heights senior independent living), reauthorizing a previously approved 50-unit affordable senior independent living facility (proffered at 30–60% AMI). The motion carried unanimously.
The James City County Planning Commission on Jan. 7 recommended that the Board of Supervisors approve SUP 25-00126015, a request to reauthorize a 50-unit senior independent living facility at 6015 Richmond Road with previously proffered affordability conditions.
Staff (Miss Jakura) explained the SUP was previously approved but lapsed because construction did not commence within the original time allotted; the rezoning remains in effect and proffered conditions requiring 50 units affordable to households at 30–60% of AMI remain in place. Staff also noted site-specific stormwater controls: on-site bioretention basins connected to the master-planned BMP and shared maintenance obligations managed by homeowners associations.
Chase Grog of Land Tech Resources, representing Wayne Harbin Builder, and Alan Walker of Bay Aging described project history and financing delays. Chase Grog said townhome construction is underway and that the senior-living component remains consistent with the previously approved master plan. Alan Walker (assistant director, multifamily housing development, Bay Aging) said acquisition funding and shifting grant priorities delayed the project but that Bay Aging is now positioned to move forward.
Doug Harbin (Wayne Harbin Builder) described pandemic-related cost and supply challenges and said the project team has progressed work on townhomes (footings and foundations installed). Commissioners asked about amenities, shared park/HOA maintenance and bus-stop shelters; staff and the applicant said the playground area will be maintained by a new HOA and that the county has the relevant bus-stop shelter locations on its five-year schedule.
Commissioner Polster moved that the planning commission recommend approval to the Board of Supervisors with the existing conditions; commissioners indicated assent in roll-call-style responses and the motion carried. Staff will forward the commission’s recommendation to the Board of Supervisors for final action.
What’s next: the Board of Supervisors will receive the planning commission recommendation; no final construction or rent schedule was provided at the meeting, as the applicant said rents and building layout remain to be finalized.
