The proposed Thacker’s View project would bring 260 residential units, most of them single-family homes, to the site on Swift Creek Reservoir. (County documents)
Residential projects on Swift Creek Reservoir, Hull Street Road go to Chesterfield Planning Commission
The Chesterfield County Planning Commission is scheduled this week to consider a zoning request to build a residential project on Swift Creek Reservoir.
Cross Creek Development Corp. is seeking zoning approval for a 260-unit development that would rise on a nearly 139-acre site on the reservoir in the western part of the county.
The project, called Thacker’s View, would consist primarily of single-family homes as well as up to 95 townhomes. Also planned are a bed-and-breakfast facility, a restaurant and recreational amenities on the three-parcel assemblage on Woolridge Road, according to a staff report.
The developer is seeking to rezone the project site at 4701, 4801 and 4901 Woolridge Road to Residential (R-12) from the current Agricultural (A) designation. Now-shuttered wedding and events venue Celebrations at the Reservoir formerly operated on the property.
Staff recommends approval of the project.
Also on the Planning Commission’s docket is a proposed townhome development on Hull Street Road west of its intersection with Otterdale Road.
Schaffer Construction Co. is requesting zoning approval for a 194-unit townhome development called Hampton Towns, per a staff report. The project would be built on a multiple-parcel, 20-acre assemblage that includes 16535 Hull Street Road.
The applicant is seeking a rezoning to Residential Townhouse (R-TH) from the current Agricultural (A) and Neighborhood Business (C-2) zoning on the project site. Staff recommends approval.
The Board of Supervisors would provide a final verdict on the zoning requests at a future meeting.
The full agenda for Tuesday’s Planning Commission meeting can be found here.
Groundbreaking for new western Chesterfield elementary school set for today
Chesterfield school division officials plan to hold a groundbreaking ceremony at 10 a.m. Monday (today) for a new elementary school set to rise in the western part of the county.
The project, referred to as the “west area” school, is planned at 17151 Westerleigh Parkway and has an anticipated budget of $42 million, according to a recent school division newsletter.
The project will be funded by Virginia Public School Authority bonds that were approved in a 2022 voter referendum.
The new, two-story elementary school will be designed to hold up to 1,000 students in grades kindergarten to fifth grade. The school is slated to open in August 2026.
City Council keeps tax rate unchanged, approves $5M casino site purchase
City Council’s meeting last week stretched five hours. (Screenshot)
At its meeting last week, Richmond City Council voted 5-4 against member Reva Trammell’s proposal to reduce the real estate tax rate by 4 cents, and then unanimously approved maintaining the rate at $1.20 per $100 of assessed value. The decision brought to an end a monthslong debate over whether to adjust the rate in light of increased property assessments.
Council approved an ordinance to declare a public necessity for the city to acquire the site of the rejected casino project in South Richmond. The ordinance authorizes a $5.5 million purchase of 4700 Trenton Ave. and part of 2001 Walmsley Blvd., the 96-acre, Philip Morris-owned site where Urban One proposed its One Casino + Resort.
Also approved was a license agreement between the city and Greyhound Lines Inc. to allow the bus company to use part of Main Street Station as a bus stop with passenger boarding and waiting areas, in light of plans to replace Greyhound’s bus station on Arthur Ashe Boulevard with an apartment development.
Council also approved two ordinances to allow the city to re-allocate $2 million in funds for the purchase of a building and warehouse at 2310 W. Cary St. and 2311 Herbert Hamlet Alley for a new pet adoption center for Richmond Animal Care & Control.
Henrico administrators deliver annual State of the County address
The State of the County 2024 address was held at the Henrico Sports & Events Center. (Henrico County photo)
About 500 business and community leaders gathered at the Henrico Sports & Events Center last week for the annual State of the County address.
County Manager John Vithoulkas opened the address by highlighting Forbes’ recent recognition of Henrico’s general government as an outstanding employer for Virginia. He noted that Henrico County Public Schools has been similarly recognized in each of the past two years, “making [Henrico] the only locality in the Commonwealth that has that distinction,” Vithoulkas said.
He and other senior officials highlighted county achievements, projects and initiatives spanning service areas such as education, public safety, infrastructure, recreation, economic development and finance. A recording of the address can be viewed here.
Henrico’s Cobbs Creek Reservoir reaches ‘substantial completion,’ named for longtime county manager
Retired county manager Virgil Hazelett, second from left, joined Henrico officials and supervisors at last week’s ceremony. (Henrico County photo)
Henrico County has accepted operational control of its Cobbs Creek Reservoir project, which was deemed to have reached “substantial completion.”
County officials marked the occasion with a ceremony atop the facility’s 160-foot main dam on the 1,117-acre reservoir in eastern Cumberland County, which was named the Virgil R. Hazelett Reservoir at Cobbs Creek, in honor of the retired longtime county manager who helped drive the 22-year project.
The $280 million project is a 14.8-billion-gallon regional water supply impoundment that will augment the flow of the James River as needed, according to Henrico. The project aims to secure the county’s drinking water needs for decades, and the reservoir is expected to help during drought or near-drought conditions by providing extra water to the James River.
Officials gathered last week atop the facility’s 160-foot main dam on the 1,117-acre reservoir in Cumberland County to celebrate the project and Virgil R. Hazelett, the now-retired county manager whose leadership was integral in the county’s efforts to secure its long-term water needs.
The reservoir is expected to be completely filled and operational in 2025, the county said.