Details Of Joint Comp Plan Process Outlined

By Amber Lester Kennedy Wednesday, February 09, 2011

For the first time, Williamsburg, James City County and York County will draft their comprehensive plans simultaneously in 2012.

The Williamsburg City Council was briefed Monday on the procedure for the planning process, which will begin with a joint web site hosted by York County.

Initially, the site will include an explanation of the Comprehensive Plan update process, and will provide links to the existing plans, along with links to updates on each locality’s progress on its new plan. The site will also include background information for three planned public forums.

Before the planning process kicks off, joint studies will be completed. The Hampton Roads Planning District Commission will prepare a study on transportation in the Historic Triangle and the planning staffs for each locality will complete a study of existing land use in the area as of Oct. 1. The Historic Triangle Collaborative completed an economic diversification study last year that will also be used for reference.

Three community forums are proposed for February 2012 to gather ideas and opinions about the development of three areas in the Historic Triangle. One forum would discuss the Lightfoot/Hill Pleasant Farm/Williamsburg Pottery area, including the Interstate-64 Lightfoot interchange. Another forum would examine the northeastern part of Williamsburg, including Capitol Landing Road, Second Street, Penniman Road and James and York Terrace. A third forum would focus on the area where Route 60 East, Route 199 and Interstate 64 intersect, near Riverside’s Quarterpath at Williamsburg, the Marquis Shopping Center, Water Country and Busch Gardens.

A summary document for all three localities’ Comprehensive Plans will be developed, including a consolidated future land use map. It will help supplement the individual Comprehensive Plans.

By spring 2012, the planning commissioners from all three jurisdictions are expected to meet for a discussion forum where they’ll go over the comments gathered at the forums and identify areas of common concern.