Henrico Planning Commission to hear Reynolds Crossing mixed-use proposal Sept. 12

The Henrico County Planning Commission Sept. 12 is scheduled to consider a proposal from the owners of the Reynolds Crossing Office Park in the Near West End that would convert the 52-acre property into an urban mixed-use development with more than 1,500 residential units and 31,000 square feet of commercial space.

The commission will meet beginning at 6 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors Room at the Henrico Government Center on Parham Road.

As reimagined, Reynolds Crossing (located at the intersection of West Broad Street and Forest Avenue) would redevelop in six phases over a period of 15 to 20 years, according to the developers, following a similar timeline as the one approved last November by the Henrico Board of Supervisors for Willow Lawn (which also earned rezoning to an urban mixed-use classification). The case was deferred from its scheduled Aug. 15 public hearing date. County planners have recommended the case for approval.

If a public hearing for the project proceeds Sept. 12 as scheduled, the commission then will vote to endorse or recommend denial of the plans to the Henrico Board of Supervisors, which would then hold its own public hearing next month to determine the case’s fate.

An overview of the Reynolds Crossing redevelopment proposal; yellow buildings shown above represent new proposed construction, while gray buildings are existing buildings that would remain. (Courtesy Forest Office LLC/Baskervill)

The developers are proposing the following schedule:

• Phase 1 would replace the existing parking lot on Forest opposite Crestview Elementary School with a purely residential building;

• Phase 2A would replace Plaza Azteca and its parking lot at the corner of West Broad and Forest Avenue with a 12-story mixed-use building and a “town center” gathering and event space.

• Phase 2B would replace the office building facing W. Broad with a 10-story mixed use building.

• Phase 3 would replace a central parking lot with a 10-story residential building and a 1-story retail building.

• Phase 4 would replace another central parking lot with a 6-story residential building and 4-story condos and townhomes.

• Phase 5 would replace a 2-story office building and surrounding parking lot with a 9-story building.

• Phase 6 would replace parking in the northwest corner of the site with a pocket park and open space.

A traffic signal would be installed at the Forest Avenue entrance, and pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure are also incorporated into the site layout.

In total, the new development would include 1,541 residential units (of which 5% could be three-bedroom units).

Reynolds Crossing currently contains four office buildings totaling 560,000 square feet, along with a 250-room Westin hotel and 6,600 square feet of commercial space, including the Plaza Azteca restaurant.

Ultimate approval of the Reynolds Crossing project would add to the already-approved 8,000 residential units and 700,000 square feet of commercial space approved by the board of supervisors along the West Broad Street corridor between the site and the city line, as reported by the Citizen.

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Other proposals before the commission Sept. 12 include:

• the proposed construction of five new homes, in addition to the existing residence, at the northeast intersection of Edinburgh Road and Glasgow Road in the Three Chopt District;

• the designation of a 4-acre conservation district at the southeast intersection of East Williamsburg Road (Route 60) and Whiteside Road in the Varina District;

• the expansion of a daycare at the northeast intersection of Wilkinson Road and Upham Drive in the Fairfield District to allow it to host children’s events and receptions;

• a proposal to expand the operation of Fitness Planet at the intersection of West Broad Street and Horsepen Road to 24 hours a day.

The commission also will hear a report about a proposed new Parks and Open Space Master Plan and collect public input at the hearing before voting whether to recommend it to the board of supervisors. If the board ultimately approves the plan, it would replace the existing Parks Master Plan in the Henrico Comprehensive Plan.

The Sept. 12 meeting is open to the public, and participation also is available virtually. For details, click here.