WILLIAMSBURG-A new development featuring townhomes will soon be built on Strawberry Plains Road. The complex will include workforce housing units.
At its meeting on June 9, the Williamsburg City Council approved the sale of property that the city owns for use for the project. Cale Development, LLC is purchasing the property, which sites on 13.9 acres at 180 Strawberry Plains Road near Berkeley Middle School, for $650,000 in order to build a residential development called Landmark Village.
Landmark Village is expected to have 116 townhomes of varying styles and square footage. As part of the project, 15 units will be built as income restricted workforce housing units, which will be available for $100,000 less than the other townhomes.
To qualify for the affordable housing units, eligible individuals must make between $40,000 and $60,000 a year and must work at least 30 hours a week in the Greater Williamsburg area. The affordable housing units may not be used as regular rentals or short-term rentals.
Townhomes will be available featuring two, three, or four bedrooms. In addition, the project includes a pool, pickleball courts, and other amenities.
“We are super excited about this project,” said John C. Cale, manager of Cale Development, during the City Council meeting. “This entire project will fill a demand.”
Cale noted that less than ten percent of those who work in the City of Williamsburg actually live in the city. He hopes that Landmark Village will give those workers an option so that “they are able to call Williamsburg home also,” he said.
Members of City Council agreed, voting unanimously to approve the sale of the land for the development.
“I think this is the step in the right direction for inclusionary housing,” said Vice Mayor W. Pat Dent.
Williamsburg has owned the property since 1988. The city initially bought the site for$1.1 million. The land is currently valued at $2.2 million, though the city is selling it for significantly less in order to provide additional workforce housing.