Williamsburg council approves land swap with William & Mary to expand Cedar Grove Cemetery

Williamsburg City Council voted to adopt Ordinance 25-18 on Dec. 11, approving an amended deed exchange with the College of William & Mary that will allow the city to expand Cedar Grove Cemetery.

City staff described the exchange as an equitable transfer that meets the goals of both the university and the city and clarified that an old landfill parcel associated with William & Mary is excluded from the transfer. In public comment, Lynn Anne Stensland, a local business manager, thanked the city and the college and said she expects the swap will avoid traffic concerns that accompanied a prior development proposal. William & Mary employee Helen Murphy called the exchange a way to "protect the College Woods and expand the cemetery" for future generations. Environmental-sciences instructor Randy Chambers said the swap would help protect a large portion of the College Woods and downstream Lake Matoaka.

Resident Robert Wilson supported the exchange but asked council to reflect on past "secrecy" surrounding the Landmark Village negotiations and requested documentation on the termination terms of the prior purchase agreement.

Councilmembers framed the proposal as a "win-win" for the city and the university and noted the transaction advances long-standing goals to expand Cedar Grove Cemetery. Vice Mayor Dent and multiple councilmembers spoke in favor; a motion to adopt Ordinance 25-18 carried on a roll-call vote.

The ordinance gives city staff and the city manager authority to complete the exchange as described in the council packet. The council did not discuss sale or development of other parcels as part of this item; details of the transfer authority, easements or closing timeline were not specified during the meeting.

Next steps: staff will proceed with the deed exchange consistent with the ordinance and any administrative steps needed to finalize the transfer.