Appomattox council approves rezoning of former garment factory site for multifamily housing

The Appomattox Town Council voted on Feb. 21 to rezone roughly 2.6 acres within town limits — the site of the former garment factory — from B‑2 (business) to R‑3 (residential) to permit multifamily housing.

At a public hearing, a planning commission representative told council the commission met Feb. 3, held a public hearing on the parcel and recommended approval. "There was no opposition to the planning commission meeting," the representative said. Town staff said the rezoning is tied to a grant the town secured with Jamieson Real Estate to support workforce housing on the site.

Council members discussed the rezoning as consistent with the town’s comprehensive plan and the stated local need for more affordable housing. After the hearing the mayor called for a motion to adopt the rezoning; the motion was seconded and the council approved the change by voice vote.

The move clears the way for the property owner to pursue construction of townhouses and other multifamily units. Council and staff said interest is already high: staff reported inquiries and a waiting list being formed for units as the development moves forward.

Next steps include any required permitting and site work by the developer and coordination with the town’s infrastructure planning, which council approved later in the meeting. Specific tax map identification numbers for the parcel were read into the record during the hearing.