Williamsburg Notebook: Planning Commission Favors Rezoning for Hertz, New Museum Signage

By Amber Lester Kennedy Friday, February 17, 2012

The Williamsburg Planning Commission will recommend City Council approve requests that could put a Hertz Car Rental on Richmond Road and larger signs in front of Colonial Williamsburg’s museums. The Economic Development Office will host a workshop about the business potential in large-scale local events. Read on for details.

Planning Commission Approves Requests for Hertz, CW

The Williamsburg Planning Commission will recommend City Council approve a rezoning request that will pave the way for a Hertz Car Rental location on Richmond Road.

The proposed car rental business would be in the former Always a Happy Hour building, located at 1441 Richmond Road. To use the existing building for a car rental business, approximately 2.9 acres along Richmond Road would need to be rezoned from the B-3 urban/mixed-use area to the B-2 commercial corridor zoning.

Staff recommended the change, with Deputy Planning Director Carolyn Murphy noting the B-2 designation is more in keeping with the character of that section of Richmond Road, from Bypass Road to Ironbound Road. Richmond Road west of Ironbound Road is already designated as a B-2 district.

Planning Commission agreed, and also approved a request to reduce the B-2 District setback requirement from 35 to 15 feet (a special requirement that was implemented for the Second Street area). Commission will recommend City Council also approve a Special Use Permit for the business, which appeals to the tourist-driven economy of Williamsburg.

No changes are planned for the site. Hertz will use the existing building and parking lot, as well as 10 parking spaces on the adjacent Jefferson Restaurant parking lot.

The commissioners also unanimously agreed to recommend approval of Colonial Williamsburg’s request to revise sign regulations for the foundation’s art museums.

CW wants to increase awareness of its art museums, which are accessible only through a front entrance at the replicated Public Hospital. If City Council approves the request, the museums will be able to install two 64-square-foot monument signs facing Francis Street and a 100-square-foot banner sign on the side of the museum adjacent to South Henry Street. The change moves the museum from the Historic Area Sign District to the Downtown Sign District. Museum banners can also be hung from light poles, with city manager approval.

Colonial Williamsburg’s Mark Duncan told the commission the new signage is necessary because every time he brings a visitor to the museum, he can tell they’re skeptical it will be worthwhile until they come face-to-face with Charles Wilson Peale’s portrait of George Washington. “It’s wonderful to be part of a moment when skepticism gives way to discovery, but it’s also a letdown when you realize many of our guests, including local residents, aren’t aware of this opportunity,” he said.

Economic Development Office Hosts Retail Workshop

The Williamsburg Economic Development Office will present a retail business workshop called, “Towns, Events and Merchants: Partnering for Profit” from 8 to 10 a.m. Feb. 24 at the Williamsburg Community Center.

Marc Willson, retail consultant for Virginia Small Business Development Centers, will lead discussions how businesses and localities can benefit from large-scale events. Discussion topics include: effective ways to work together; what to do before, during and after an event; do’s and don’ts; success stories and the best ways to maximize profits.

Admission is free, but pre-registration is required. To register for the event online, click here. For more information, email Farley John at johnf@tncc.edu.

BZA to Consider CW Request to Use Home for Church

The Williamsburg Board of Zoning Appeals will discuss whether to grant a special exception for The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation to use a single-family dwelling for church meetings.

CW would like to provide the Custis Tenement as a support building for Bruton Parish Church.

The BZA will meet at 4 p.m. March 6 in the third floor conference room at the Municipal Building.

City Offices Closed Monday

City of Williamsburg offices and the Quarterpath Recreation Center will be closed Monday for Presidents Day.

The holiday does not affect trash and recycling collections the week of the 20th, however, and Waller Mill Park will be open Monday.