A November rendering shows the proposed Harris Teeter building at Lightfoot Marketplace. (Courtesy James City County)
As the 1980s Williamsburg Outlet Mall is being razed, the developers hoping to construct a new six-building shopping center are gaining support for its new design.
The James City County Development Review Committee — a division of the Planning Commission — reviewed the site plan for four buildings planned for Lightfoot Marketplace on July 30 and supported moving the plan forward to the full commission for consideration.
On Wednesday, the Planning Commission will decide whether to give the plan the go-ahead for development.
The plans for Lightfoot Marketplace went before the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors for review as part of a special use permitting process at the beginning of the year. The board in February granted the special use permit, which opened the door for staff to review the site plan for Lightfoot Marketplace.
AES Consulting Engineers submitted a site plan in June for four of the total six buildings, which includes the proposed Harris Teeter and Walgreens. County staff has reviewed the plans and issued comments, which will require AES to develop another site plan that meets county requirements, said Ellen Cook, a senior planner.
There is no set timeline for AES to provide the new plans, nor is there a timeline for AES to submit a site plan for the other two buildings planned for development.
As currently planned, Lightfoot Marketplace would total 136,500 square feet when fully developed: Harris Teeter will be more just under 53,300 square feet but might expand by 5,000 feet in the future; Walgreens will total more than 14,400 square feet; and two retail buildings that have not yet been leased will total more than 14,500 square feet and just under 19,400 square feet. The additional two buildings, which have not yet been planned, will total about 10,000 and 20,000 square feet each.
Nearly 430 parking spaces are planned for development along with the first four buildings. Another 56 spaces are planned to be added when the final two buildings are built. The parking area will have 15 handicapped parking spaces, including five for larger vehicles.
Before the new buildings are built, concrete will be removed from the property. When new pavement is laid, the total area of concrete and rooftops will be 20 percent less than what was needed for the outlet mall. Decreasing the amount of hard surface could decrease the amount of stormwater runoff.
In addition to the changes planned on the 6401 Richmond Road property, joint owners Armada Hoffler and Vistacor LLC proposed changes to Centerville and Richmond roads:
- A second left-turn lane into the shopping area will be added to Centerville Road, and the stoplight will be updated to accommodate both lanes;
- A crosswalk will be painted across the Centerville Road entrance to the development, and an 8-foot multi-use path will be constructed in place of the existing sidewalk;
- The existing left-turn lane into Lightfoot Marketplace’s property will be extended by 100 feet;
- A crosswalk will be painted across Richmond Road and pedestrian lights will be installed;
- The traffic light at the intersection of Richmond and Lightfoot roads will be upgraded to include a flashing yellow turn arrow for drivers turning left into Lightfoot Marketplace from Richmond Road; and
- A switch will be installed to change the traffic light to red at the intersection of Richmond and Lightfoot roads when a train is approaching.
A rendering of a new McDonald’s next to Lightfoot Marketplace was submitted as part of a conceptual plan for the property. (Rendering courtesy James City County)
Lightfoot Marketplace might not be the only new development in that area. The McDonald’s next door may be torn down and reconstructed, as well. The plan, which will require a special use permit, is still in the conceptual phase.
Additionally, the Howard Johnson Inn at 6483 Richmond Road – next to McDonalds and Lightfoot Marketplace – has been listed for sale for about two months. According to the listing with Mid-Atlantic Commercial Real Estate, the 86,600-square-foot hotel and its 1.84 acres of property are for sale for $3.5 million.
Katherine Woodruff, who is representing the property in its sale, said her client purchased the property about eight years ago and has been steadily operating it as a hotel. A new owner could continue to operate the hotel or could repurpose the building or property for another use.
As the next step in the Lightfoot Marketplace development process, the Planning Commission will consider granting staff the right to approve the shopping center’s site plan. The commission will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Building F at 101 Mounts Bay Road.
Related Coverage:
- Williamsburg Outlet Mall Demolition Underway; Building to be Razed by Fall
- Two Hampton Roads Businesses Purchase Closed Outlet Mall to Develop Lightfoot Marketplace
- Lightfoot Marketplace Will Replace Closed Williamsburg Outlet Mall
- Lightfoot Marketplace Up for Review at Tuesday’s JCC Supervisors Meeting
- Lightfoot Marketplace Gets JCC Planning Commission Support
- Public Hearing Scheduled Today for Lightfoot Marketplace Proposal
- Lightfoot Marketplace Plans Add Sixth Building, Park (w/ Photo Gallery)
- Stores in Closing Outlet Mall Plan to Relocate Within Area
- Lightfoot Marketplace in Early Stages to Replace Williamsburg Outlet Mall
- Williamsburg Outlet Mall to Close its Doors this Year