James City County supervisors greenlight new senior living facility

JAMES CITY COUNTY – The James City County Board of Supervisors voted last Tuesday to approve the construction of a new senior housing development on Richmond Road.

Forest Heights Senior Independent Living Facility is set to be built on 11 acres of rezoned land located at 6015 Richmond Road located near the Villages of Westminster.

The three-story, 50-unit facility will be geared toward residents aged 55 and older. It will be built next to a 46-townhome development that is currently under construction.

Developers agreed to design the units to meet affordability criteria for households with incomes at or below 60% of the Area Median Income.

One-bedroom apartments are expected to rent for between $800 to $1,200 per month, while two-bedrooms will rent for $1,000 to $1,500, according to Wayne Harbin Builder representative Chase Grogg.

Alan Walker, assistant director of multi-family housing and development for Bay Aging, said a study conducted by his organization shows there is a “strong demand” for affordable senior housing in James City County.

“Many older residents in the county fall squarely within these income ranges, [including] folks relying on social security, modest pensions or part-time incomes,” Walker said. “For them, the rising cost of market-rate housing is a significant barrier to remaining in the community they call home.”

The supervisors approved a special use permit for Forest Heights in 2019. However, the developer failed to begin construction within the required 36-month timeframe, prompting the need for a reapproval process.

The new nearby townhomes will also meet the county’s criteria for affordable housing, with sale prices ranging from $212,000 to $394,350.

Grogg said the townhome development should be completed by this summer. It is not yet clear when construction will begin on the new senior housing facility.