The developers of the planned Bluffs at Kiskiack project withdrew their application today, county officials confirmed.
The developers probably determined they did not have enough votes on the James City County Board of Supervisors to get approval at their planned public hearing tonight, sources told Williamsburg Watch.
The development would have rezoned 276 acres near Croaker into 704 homes, commercial and office spaces as well as an open-air museum featuring the heads from the defunct Presidents Park.
County planning staff recommended the project be denied, and 913 residents signed an online petition against it. Opponents said the project would cause traffic headaches and hurt the rural character of northern James City County.
Withdrawing the project means the developer will have to wait a year before re-applying and begin the process again, County Administrator Scott Stevens said.
“It’s not automatic that they won’t come back,” Jamestown Supervisor Jim Icenhour said. He said developers will sometimes pull a proposal and try to find a way to adjust it that still makes financial sense while addressing community concerns.
Powhatan Supervisor Tracy Wright and Stonehouse Supervisor Barbara E. Null, both of whom had praised some of the project’s amenities, said many voters lacked enough information about the project or had been given incorrect facts by opponents.
Null said she thought local residents would not have minded having a hotel or restaurants on the site.
“People want amenities but they don’t want people,” Null said.
Null was wrong. No residents in Croaker wanted a hotel. If she'd read her email and reply to those reaching out to her she would understand that we live here for the rural character not the amenities.