Williamsburg, City of

The City of Williamsburg's strategic goals, initiatives, and outcomes for FY 2026 focus on several key areas. These include fostering a welcoming community, demonstrating courageous leadership, innovating a modern city, prioritizing safety and wellness, engaging with partners, and connecting with the world. Specific initiatives range from affordable housing implementation and carbon emission reduction to modernizing education, enhancing park facilities, and expanding internet connectivity.

The City Council adopted the budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, based on an increase in the City's total assessed value of real property and maintaining the real estate tax rate at $0.62 per $100.00 of assessed value. The budget includes revisions to the General Fund, Capital Improvement Plan Fund, Utility Fund, Tourism Fund, and Public Assistance Fund. Key components of the budget include revenue and expenditure appropriations by fund, local tax levies, capital project appropriations, and authorized full-time equivalent positions. Flexible budgets are authorized for grant revenues, insurance proceeds, donations, and police or fire compensation for special events. EMS Recovery rates are set at 150% of the Medicare Part B Ambulance Fee Schedule.

The city council meeting addressed a rezoning request for a 3-acre property at 530 Mil Neck Road, involving a change from the Limited Business Corridor District (LB4) to the single-family dwelling district (RS2) and the Planned Development Residential District (PDR). The applicant requested to remove the property from the Corridor Protection District (CP). The proposal included six dwelling units (four single-family detached homes and one duplex), preserving 2.09 acres of open space. Discussion included density calculations, the comprehensive plan's low-density designation, and the applicant's agreement to limit the number of units to six. Public comments addressed concerns about traffic and the potential for future development. The council considered the applicant's compromise with residents and the Planning Commission's recommendation.

The Planning Commission meeting focused on two public hearings. The first, PCR#24-036, involved a text amendment request to add private educational facilities as a special use permit in the Corridor Business District. The second, PCR#24-037, concerned a special use permit application to operate a private educational facility at 515 York Street. Discussion included the compatibility of the proposed use with the zoning district, parking requirements, and the impact on adjacent properties. The commission also reviewed the annual report for 2024, draft bylaws for 2025, and scheduled public hearings for March 19, 2025.

The council meeting included a review of monthly financial statements, showing a slight increase in overall revenue but a lower percentage of the budget compared to the previous year. Real estate and business property taxes showed increases, while personal property, lodging, and meals taxes showed mixed results. A detailed report on the city's response to multiple snow events was presented, highlighting the priorities, preparations, operations, and post-event activities. The report included material costs, man-hours, and overtime spent on snow removal. Public comment included concerns about the proposed location of a children's park, citing issues with parking, traffic, and safety, and a discussion about the city's decision-making process regarding proposals for the park.