Henrico Planning Commission endorses Parham Road light industrial office park proposal

During its Sept. 14 meeting, the Henrico Planning Commission endorsed a proposal to rezone 14 acres at the intersection of East Parham Road and Park Central Drive to allow the construction of an office park hosting a mixture retail, light industrial facilities such as laboratories, office space, and service businesses.

The site currently is wooded and sits next to warehouses, a daycare facility, offices, and a stormwater pond, as well as single family homes on the other side of Parham Road. The development would include two one-story buildings no higher than 45 feet each, and parking, with entrances from Parham and Park Central. The buildings would be at least 90 feet from Parham Road, with 50 feet being set aside for a landscaped buffer zone to help insulate homes across the street.

One resident of those neighborhoods asked about the hours of operation and also requested that the developer preserve the 150 year-old trees along Parham Road. Andrew M. Condlin, speaking on behalf of the developer, Merritt Acquisitions, LLC, explained that the construction hours would be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., while the hours for any external activities would be 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Internal activities would not be limited by hours, which is how other sites in the area also operate.

The proposal next will be reviewed by the Henrico Board of Supervisors, which holds final decision-making authority.