A conceptual plan of the 102-lot phase that would add to the RounTrey development. (Courtesy Chesterfield County)
Chesterfield to consider approval of new phase of RounTrey development
A new phase of the buildout of a major residential development in Chesterfield is up for consideration by the Board of Supervisors.
Supervisors on Wednesday are expected to weigh approval of a zoning request tied to the fifth phase of the RounTrey development by Doug Sowers and son Danny Sowers.
They are seeking zoning approval to build a 102-lot development on about 51 acres at 3101 Otterdale Road. The project also includes a trail network and outdoor common areas, per a staff report. Primary access to the development would be on Otterdale Road.
RounTrey is located near Brandermill and north of Swift Creek Reservoir. The ongoing development, sections of which have been completed, has played host to the annual Homearama event more than once.
Also on the board’s agenda for the afternoon portion of the meeting is a staff report on the upcoming fiscal year 2025 county budget. The budget update is expected to cover real estate valuation, a preview of the FY25 operation budget and an overview of the school district superintendent’s budget proposal.
The meeting’s full agenda can be found here.
Petroski, Sloan to lead Chesterfield Planning Commission
Chesterfield Planning Commissioners Gib Sloan, left, and Frank Petroski. (Courtesy Chesterfield County)
Frank Petroski was elected chairman and Gib Sloan vice chairman of the Chesterfield Planning Commission at its first meeting of 2024, according to a recent county announcement.
Petroski, who represents the Midlothian District on the commission, and Sloan, who represents the Bermuda District, will serve in their leadership roles through the end of the year. They were elected by their peers on the commission last week.
Newly appointed to the commission is Elizabeth Hardin, who took over representation of the Clover Hill District on the commission from Gloria Freye.
LeQuan Hylton (Dale District) and Tommy Owens (Matoaca District) remain members of the commission. Petroksi, Sloan, Hylton and Owens were reappointed to the commission earlier this month.
Planning commissioners are appointed by the Board of Supervisors to four-year terms. Commissioners act as advisors to the supervisors on rezoning requests, amendments to the zoning ordinance and related topics.
Industrial park on agenda for Hanover supervisors
The site at 1468 Pony Farm Road, where a 14-lot industrial park is planned. (File image courtesy Commonwealth Commercial)
The Hanover Board of Supervisors on Wednesday is slated to vote on a zoning request tied to a proposed industrial park project that would straddle the Hanover-Goochland boundary line.
Todd Walton and Patrick Dolan are seeking zoning approval for an 84-acre industrial park just north of the Interstate 64 Oilville-Goochland exit. The application seeks to rezone the property to light industrial district (M-2). A conceptual plan shows the overall park would be divided into 14 lots.
The park is about evenly split between Hanover and Goochland, and the Hanover board’s approval would be the final rezoning decision needed to move the project forward. The Goochland Board of Supervisors approved a request to rezone the Goochland side of the park to industrial, general (M-2) for light industrial uses, according to a Hanover staff report.
The full meeting agenda can be found here.
$121M bond issuance, Regency rezoning on Henrico agenda
The proposed rezoning is for the undeveloped lot across Parham Road from Regency. (Jonathan Spiers photo)
Henrico supervisors meet Tuesday at 7 p.m. Full agenda here.
Public hearing items include a rezoning request to allow a mixed-use development at 1401 Eastridge Road that would add to the overall redevelopment of Regency mall. The triangular-shaped lot across Parham Road was previously the site of a vehicular entrance to the mall via a ramp and underpass.
Other business includes a resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of over $121 million of general obligation public improvement bonds for various projects for schools, roads, recreation and parks, fire stations and public safety facilities, and flood prevention and stormwater drainage facilities. The bonds were approved by voters in referendums held in 2016 and 2022.
Nelson, Schmitt to lead Henrico supervisors in 2024
Tyrone Nelson
Henrico supervisors elected Tyrone Nelson as chairman and Dan Schmitt as vice chairman for 2024.
Nelson has represented the Varina District since 2012 and previously served as chairman in 2016 and 2019. Schmitt has represented the Brookland District since 2018 and served as chairman in 2021.
They join newly elected supervisors Roscoe Cooper III of the Fairfield District, Misty Whitehead of the Three Chopt District and Jody Rogish of the Tuckahoe District.
In remarks following the appointments, Nelson acknowledged the board’s makeup that includes three new members and called for greater community engagement, saying the county needs to share its “full story” in 2024, according to a release.
Nelson was sworn in as chairman at a recent board meeting. (Henrico County photo)
“With three new supervisors, we will undoubtedly have fresh perspectives, strategies, thoughts and new ideas for how to best serve our community,” Nelson said, later adding: “Let’s aspire to be more connected with our residents, with our stakeholders and commit to telling our story, the county of Henrico’s story. Let’s continue to engage with our community and create the most welcoming place for them to participate and provide input. This is the essence of democracy.”
Nelson said he looked to continue the county’s “tremendous momentum” in protecting the environment and promoting sustainability while noting the work of Henrico’s Environmental Action Resource Team and the preservation of the Malvern Hill Farm and Wilton Farm properties in Varina. He also teased “another historic preservation announcement” that was announced the following week.
Henrico approves $17M purchase of 2,100-acre Varina Farms property
The 2,100-acre property is at the north end of the Varina-Enon Bridge, visible in the distance. (Henrico County photo)
Henrico supervisors last week approved the county’s purchase of Varina Farms, a 2,100-acre former plantation a few miles downriver, for $17.25 million.
Described as Henrico’s birthplace, the property, also known as Varina Plantation, straddles Interstate 295 on the north end of the Varina-Enon Bridge and served as the county’s seat of government from 1632 to 1752.
Varina District Supervisor and board Chairman Tyrone Nelson said plans for the site will be determined in time and could include opening up the property to school groups and tourists and restoring the 1850s-era Varina on the James house that features cosmetic damage attributed to cannonball strikes during the Civil War.
The property also was the home of John Rolfe and Pocahontas after their marriage at Jamestown in 1614. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register.
Richmond’s credit rating affirmed; S&P upgrades city’s rating outlook
S&P Global Ratings, Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Ratings affirmed the City of Richmond’s credit ratings at AA+, Aa1 and AA+, respectively. The rating agencies commended Richmond for “very strong economic growth, attention to increasing reserves, and sound and conservative financial management and policies,” according to a release from the city.
S&P also upgraded Richmond’s rating outlook from stable to positive and assigned its AA+ rating to the city’s $64 million series 2024 general obligation bonds.
The positive outlook reflects the city’s economic growth, with assessed values rising 43 percent since fiscal year 2020, the city said in its release. The city’s available fund balance increased by 58 percent over the same time period to 30 percent of expenditures, which S&P considers “very strong,” the city said.
Favorable credit ratings allow the city to borrow money at lower interest rates and therefore spend less on borrowing costs, saving taxpayer dollars. S&P, Moody’s and Fitch are the three primary rating agencies and evaluate a bond issuer’s financial strength and ability to repay a bond’s principal and interest.
A conceptual plan of the 102-lot phase that would add to the RounTrey development. (Courtesy Chesterfield County)
Chesterfield to consider approval of new phase of RounTrey development
A new phase of the buildout of a major residential development in Chesterfield is up for consideration by the Board of Supervisors.
Supervisors on Wednesday are expected to weigh approval of a zoning request tied to the fifth phase of the RounTrey development by Doug Sowers and son Danny Sowers.
They are seeking zoning approval to build a 102-lot development on about 51 acres at 3101 Otterdale Road. The project also includes a trail network and outdoor common areas, per a staff report. Primary access to the development would be on Otterdale Road.
RounTrey is located near Brandermill and north of Swift Creek Reservoir. The ongoing development, sections of which have been completed, has played host to the annual Homearama event more than once.
Also on the board’s agenda for the afternoon portion of the meeting is a staff report on the upcoming fiscal year 2025 county budget. The budget update is expected to cover real estate valuation, a preview of the FY25 operation budget and an overview of the school district superintendent’s budget proposal.
The meeting’s full agenda can be found here.
Petroski, Sloan to lead Chesterfield Planning Commission
Chesterfield Planning Commissioners Gib Sloan, left, and Frank Petroski. (Courtesy Chesterfield County)
Frank Petroski was elected chairman and Gib Sloan vice chairman of the Chesterfield Planning Commission at its first meeting of 2024, according to a recent county announcement.
Petroski, who represents the Midlothian District on the commission, and Sloan, who represents the Bermuda District, will serve in their leadership roles through the end of the year. They were elected by their peers on the commission last week.
Newly appointed to the commission is Elizabeth Hardin, who took over representation of the Clover Hill District on the commission from Gloria Freye.
LeQuan Hylton (Dale District) and Tommy Owens (Matoaca District) remain members of the commission. Petroksi, Sloan, Hylton and Owens were reappointed to the commission earlier this month.
Planning commissioners are appointed by the Board of Supervisors to four-year terms. Commissioners act as advisors to the supervisors on rezoning requests, amendments to the zoning ordinance and related topics.
Industrial park on agenda for Hanover supervisors
The site at 1468 Pony Farm Road, where a 14-lot industrial park is planned. (File image courtesy Commonwealth Commercial)
The Hanover Board of Supervisors on Wednesday is slated to vote on a zoning request tied to a proposed industrial park project that would straddle the Hanover-Goochland boundary line.
Todd Walton and Patrick Dolan are seeking zoning approval for an 84-acre industrial park just north of the Interstate 64 Oilville-Goochland exit. The application seeks to rezone the property to light industrial district (M-2). A conceptual plan shows the overall park would be divided into 14 lots.
The park is about evenly split between Hanover and Goochland, and the Hanover board’s approval would be the final rezoning decision needed to move the project forward. The Goochland Board of Supervisors approved a request to rezone the Goochland side of the park to industrial, general (M-2) for light industrial uses, according to a Hanover staff report.
The full meeting agenda can be found here.
$121M bond issuance, Regency rezoning on Henrico agenda
The proposed rezoning is for the undeveloped lot across Parham Road from Regency. (Jonathan Spiers photo)
Henrico supervisors meet Tuesday at 7 p.m. Full agenda here.
Public hearing items include a rezoning request to allow a mixed-use development at 1401 Eastridge Road that would add to the overall redevelopment of Regency mall. The triangular-shaped lot across Parham Road was previously the site of a vehicular entrance to the mall via a ramp and underpass.
Other business includes a resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of over $121 million of general obligation public improvement bonds for various projects for schools, roads, recreation and parks, fire stations and public safety facilities, and flood prevention and stormwater drainage facilities. The bonds were approved by voters in referendums held in 2016 and 2022.
Nelson, Schmitt to lead Henrico supervisors in 2024
Tyrone Nelson
Henrico supervisors elected Tyrone Nelson as chairman and Dan Schmitt as vice chairman for 2024.
Nelson has represented the Varina District since 2012 and previously served as chairman in 2016 and 2019. Schmitt has represented the Brookland District since 2018 and served as chairman in 2021.
They join newly elected supervisors Roscoe Cooper III of the Fairfield District, Misty Whitehead of the Three Chopt District and Jody Rogish of the Tuckahoe District.
In remarks following the appointments, Nelson acknowledged the board’s makeup that includes three new members and called for greater community engagement, saying the county needs to share its “full story” in 2024, according to a release.
Nelson was sworn in as chairman at a recent board meeting. (Henrico County photo)
“With three new supervisors, we will undoubtedly have fresh perspectives, strategies, thoughts and new ideas for how to best serve our community,” Nelson said, later adding: “Let’s aspire to be more connected with our residents, with our stakeholders and commit to telling our story, the county of Henrico’s story. Let’s continue to engage with our community and create the most welcoming place for them to participate and provide input. This is the essence of democracy.”
Nelson said he looked to continue the county’s “tremendous momentum” in protecting the environment and promoting sustainability while noting the work of Henrico’s Environmental Action Resource Team and the preservation of the Malvern Hill Farm and Wilton Farm properties in Varina. He also teased “another historic preservation announcement” that was announced the following week.
Henrico approves $17M purchase of 2,100-acre Varina Farms property
The 2,100-acre property is at the north end of the Varina-Enon Bridge, visible in the distance. (Henrico County photo)
Henrico supervisors last week approved the county’s purchase of Varina Farms, a 2,100-acre former plantation a few miles downriver, for $17.25 million.
Described as Henrico’s birthplace, the property, also known as Varina Plantation, straddles Interstate 295 on the north end of the Varina-Enon Bridge and served as the county’s seat of government from 1632 to 1752.
Varina District Supervisor and board Chairman Tyrone Nelson said plans for the site will be determined in time and could include opening up the property to school groups and tourists and restoring the 1850s-era Varina on the James house that features cosmetic damage attributed to cannonball strikes during the Civil War.
The property also was the home of John Rolfe and Pocahontas after their marriage at Jamestown in 1614. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register.
Richmond’s credit rating affirmed; S&P upgrades city’s rating outlook
S&P Global Ratings, Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Ratings affirmed the City of Richmond’s credit ratings at AA+, Aa1 and AA+, respectively. The rating agencies commended Richmond for “very strong economic growth, attention to increasing reserves, and sound and conservative financial management and policies,” according to a release from the city.
S&P also upgraded Richmond’s rating outlook from stable to positive and assigned its AA+ rating to the city’s $64 million series 2024 general obligation bonds.
The positive outlook reflects the city’s economic growth, with assessed values rising 43 percent since fiscal year 2020, the city said in its release. The city’s available fund balance increased by 58 percent over the same time period to 30 percent of expenditures, which S&P considers “very strong,” the city said.
Favorable credit ratings allow the city to borrow money at lower interest rates and therefore spend less on borrowing costs, saving taxpayer dollars. S&P, Moody’s and Fitch are the three primary rating agencies and evaluate a bond issuer’s financial strength and ability to repay a bond’s principal and interest.