W’burg zoning variance sought in order to build new apartments

The City of Williamsburg Board of Zoning Adjustment will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 22, to consider a zoning variance application.

Owners are seeking a zoning variance in order to build a pair of buildings that would house four apartments each in Williamsburg. The property is located on Short Street between Second Street and Third Street.

Bo Robinson and Patrick Robinson filed the application for variance requesting permission to build a pair of four-plex apartments in an R-2 zone at the end of North Second Street.

The R-2 zone designation permits only duplexes or multi-family (two apartments per building) only.

The zoning variance request notes that the proposed two-story buildings would consist of four apartments each.

Both lots are currently vacant.

Each building will be brick structures and contain four apartments with 1,100 square feet each. The two buildings would cost about $275,000 each to build, and each building would generate about $1,250 in tax revenue to the city and $1,440 in tax revenue for the city school annually, according to the request.

The two lots have a total square footage of 16,000 square feet, and would be in compliance with all set-back requirements, the request stated.

The buildings would meet all set-back requirements and have ample parking eliminating the need for parking along the street.

If permitted, each buildings would require a $1,130 building permit.

“Important to note that the buildings would enhance the area in appearance while presenting additional housing for our area,” the variance request stated.

Mayor Roddy Harrison said that the property is located behind the old RC bottling plant on Short Street between Second Street and Third Street. It is the property behind the house where Georgia Robinson used to live.

The public hearing will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the Williamsburg City Hall Council Chambers.