Jamestown Planning Board rejected Burkely Communities’ rezoning request for 138 apartments on West Main Street. Public hearing continues December 8, with Town Council review set for January 20. Project includes historic district-compatible designs and traffic analysis requirements.
A proposal to rezone four parcels on West Main Street in Jamestown for a multi-unit residential development was rejected in a 2-3 Planning Board vote, though the public hearing was continued, according to reporting by Jamestown News. The request, submitted by Burkely Communities, LLC, sought to rezone 207, 209, 301 and 305 W. Main Street from Main Street (MS) and Commercial/Main Street Transitional (C/MST) to Conditional Zoning-Residential/Main Street Transitional (CZ-R/MST). The plan would allow for up to 138 apartment units on approximately 6.53 acres, within walking distance of downtown amenities.
The proposed project includes a mix of mansion or manor-style apartments fronting West Main Street and three-story apartment buildings toward the rear of the site. The design is intended to complement the Jamestown National Register Historic District, with parking located behind buildings. The residences would include one- and two-bedroom units. Burkely has acquired vacant parcels, including the Frazier House and the Potter House site, adjacent to the Lennox Square condominium development and across from the company’s Courtyard Commons property.
Thirteen zoning conditions have been proposed for the development, including a maximum of 138 units, a Lennox Drive access point, rear parking, a three-story height limit, and community-focused features such as a landscaped plaza with seating or public art and interior courtyards with gathering spaces. Buffers are planned along the eastern and western property lines.
Given the site’s proximity to Jamestown Elementary School, the town requested a Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) that addresses peak periods associated with school traffic. Burkely representatives stated that the one- and two-bedroom units are unlikely to significantly increase the student population.
During Planning Board deliberations, board members discussed potential mixed-use alternatives, traffic and intersection concerns, and maintaining the small-town character of the corridor. A tie-breaking vote by Planning Board Chair Hope Inge resulted in denial of the rezoning, though the public hearing was continued until the December 8 meeting. The proposal is scheduled for Town Council consideration on January 20, 2026.
The development team held two neighborhood meetings to gather feedback, which influenced the site plan. Legal counsel for Burkely referenced prior rezoning discussions, including a 2010 request for a fast-food restaurant, to guide design decisions.
The Planning Board package, including site plans and zoning conditions, is publicly available on the Town of Jamestown website under Agendas and Minutes.