Amendments to Zoning Ordinance Regarding Archaeological Study Requirements

A recent meeting document James City County - Agenda Packet - 2026-05-14 indicates a future potential acquisition The Board of Supervisors has adopted an Initiating Resolution to consider amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance regarding submittal requirements for archaeological studies. The proposed amendments would add an additional waiver and exception provision, specifically allowing an exception to the requirement to submit a phase I archaeological study where the project area is outside areas designated as ultra- or highly-sensitive on the County archaeological assessment and a preliminary assessment (phase 1a) indicates a very low likelihood of resources. These changes will require updates to application processes, staff training, and potentially new consulting services for preliminary assessments and mapping. Vendors specializing in archaeological consulting, GIS mapping, and planning services may find opportunities to assist with implementation, staff training, and compliance.