Henrico supervisors approve Near West End apartments, mixed-use development in Short Pump

The Henrico Board of Supervisors approved several development projects at its Sept. 12 meeting, including plans for an apartment building in the Near West End, north of the intersection of Thalbro Street and Westmoreland Street.

It’s a larger version of a proposed development on the same site approved by the board last year, expanded to include an additional piece of land the developer has since acquired. The project would be seven stories, with five stories of residences containing 268 units on top of two stories of parking, and would include 3,500 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor.

In response to a question from Brookland Supervisor Dan Schmitt, Planning Department staff member Ben Sehl explained that the additions to the previous plan consist of 15 additional apartments, 18 additional parking spaces, and 1,000 additional square feet of commercial space.

“That’s a great use of that space in that area,” said Schmitt.

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Supervisors also passed a resolution to create a Virginia Center Commons Special Service District, which would obligate the county to install and maintain streetlights on the ring road around Virginia Commons in the Fairfield District as the site is redeveloped. The original streetlights on this road were private and were disconnected when the mall was demolished.

The special service district would include an additional property tax on the 25 commercial property owners in Fairfield to fund the lights, their installation, and maintenance. In response to a question from Tuckahoe Supervisor Pat O’Bannon, Deputy County Manager for Community Operations Steven Yob explained that the streetlights would not be connected to the power grid but would be solar powered with individual batteries.

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The board also approved a request to modify a planned mixed-use residential and commercial development in Three Chopt, at the northwest intersection of West Broad Street and North Gayton Road.

In response to a neighboring resident’s question about how this would change the nature of the underlying development, Assistant Planning Director Jean Moore explained that it would not change the number of residences, just the layout and design of the buildings. Three Chopt Supervisor Tommy Branin added that the modification also reflected a different builder than the developer had originally planned to use, which would change some of the design elements since “they don’t have exactly the same product.”

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In addition, the board approved a request to store hydrosealing equipment and supplies in Varina, west of the intersection of Charles City Road and Britton Road. The site is borders other industrial uses and already is being used for these purposes; this plan will bring those uses into compliance with Henrico County regulations by creating a buffer zone, adding additional fencing, and limiting the repair of vehicles to indoors.

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On the financial side, the board approved a $15,207,703 contract to Southway Builders Inc. for a police station and K-9 training facility in the Varina District that would replace the current South Station located at the Fair Oaks substation in Sandston. The contract went to the lowest bidder but required an additional $3 million in funding from the county.

The Board also passed a resolution allowing the Henrico School Board to keep more than $4 million generated from the sale of nearly five acres of surplus land at the Mount Vernon Adult Education Center. Real In response to a question from O’Bannon, Property Director Curtis Anthony noted that the land sold for more than $1 million more than its appraised value because “we got into a little bit of a bidding war.”

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Supervisors also authorized purchase of an easement at 11204 Fanwood Court to allow for improvements to Three Chopt Road, which passes the property on the north. Branin noted that this easement will allow the Three Chopt Improvements Project to move forward. This project will widen the road to four lanes with a divider, add sidewalks, and make other improvements to the road between Barrington Hills Drive and a point 1,000 feet east of Gaskins Road.

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In addition, the board authorized an application for a Department of Transportation Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods grant to fund an existing project to improve South Laburnum Avenue at the point where it crosses over I-64. The project will add sidewalks and pedestrian crossings, replace the right turn lane, and make other drainage and road improvements. The project is expected to cost more than $12 million, and the county will apply for a grant to cover as much as 50% of the cost, with the expectation that the Henrico will match the other 50%.

In response to a question from O’Bannon, Director of Public Works Terrell Hughes explained that the county will apply for state funding as well, such as through the Central Virginia Transportation Authority. County Manager John Vithoulkas noted that one potential source of state funding will be gas tax proceeds that are set aside every year if not spent.

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The Board will hold a public hearing during its Sept. 26 meeting to receive public comments about proposed amendments to the FY23 county budget.