Developer pitches ‘Wheatland’s’ mixed‑use neighborhood; commissioners back zoning text amendment

A developer on May 7 presented a conceptual plan to turn the Wheatland's property into a mixed‑use, walkable neighborhood and the Town Commissioners told him to begin the zoning and comprehensive‑plan steps needed to move the idea forward.

Barry Waterman said the project is intended to be profitable and “good for the town,” and described an early concept that would include diverse housing types — townhouses, duplexes and single‑family homes — roughly 200 units in the first approximation, six commercial pads in an initial phase and substantial open space. He said there is local commercial interest from operators such as Wawa and Royal Farms.

The plan is conceptual and no feasibility study has been completed, Waterman said: "At this time the plan is only conceptual. The study would be part of the plan going forward if the town wants to move forward." He also noted the State Highway Administration will require right‑in/right‑out access from eastbound Route 50; westbound traffic, he said, would leave via an access road to Route 18 and Nesbitt Road to merge back onto Route 50.

Joseph Stevens, attorney for Waterman, told the group that the current Comprehensive Plan addresses the parcel as commercial mixed use with no residential component, while the town's Zoning Ordinance already provides for a range of residential uses in the PRC zone. Stevens outlined two options: pursue a text amendment to the PRC zoning provisions to allow Planned Neighborhood (PN)‑style residential components, or request a rezoning of the parcel from PRC to PN.

Planning Vice‑Chair Matt Reno endorsed the diversity of housing types and the effort to preserve Queenstown’s character, saying the plan’s mix could "meet all kinds of housing needs and the blending of age groups and architectural style to keep the character of Queenstown." Peter Robertson, however, warned the proposed community does not link easily to existing Queenstown and questioned how residents would integrate given the planned expansion of Route 50.

Commissioners and Planning Commission members discussed public engagement; a citizens advisory committee was suggested as one option, but the group agreed the Planning Commission would assume responsibility for the public review and hearings. Waterman said the process would be transparent with meetings before both the Planning Commission and the Town Commissioners.

Following discussion, the Commissioners indicated they were in favor of Waterman submitting a zoning text amendment to incorporate PN components into the PRC zone and of pursuing an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan. The special joint meeting adjourned at 7:41 p.m. after a motion by President Thomas B. Willis Jr., seconded by Commissioner Alton Hardee, which carried unanimously.