Henrico Planning Commission recommends approval of residential developments in Near West End, Short Pump
Two proposed residential developments in the Near West End and Short Pump are headed to the Henrico Board of Supervisors, having been recommended for approval by the county's planning commission at last week’s meeting.
The first, 1925 Westmoreland, would be a mixed-used residential and commercial development at the intersection of Jacque Street and Westmoreland Street near Willow Lawn and the City of Richmond line. The proposed 7-story building would include 224 residential units and 2,500 square feet of commercial space, with a 6-story attached parking deck.
Residences and the commercial space would face Westmoreland, while vehicle access would be from Jacque. Street parking would be included along Jacque. Street parking also may be a possibility along Westmoreland.
Before the meeting, developer Spy Rock LLC added some additional details about pedestrian accommodations, such as 5-foot sidewalks along both streets. It also added more details about how the prominent green space at the corner of Jacque and Westmoreland might be used, including visualizations.
Henrico planners flagged that Tucker High School already is over capacity but also noted that there is time to make changes because many of the developments coming into the area are expected to take years to actually arrive.
Tuckahoe Planning Commissioner Brian Winterhoff said that he intends to find out more about how the Henrico School Board is planning for long-term population growth, but that isn’t a “now problem.”
The developer’s representative, Preston Lloyd, added that the current tenant is expected to keep using the property for several more years.
74 townhomes planned in Short Pump community
The second proposal, from Bacova Development Co., would add 74 townhome condos to the Bacova community in Three Chopt along Pouncey Tract Road.
This development would open onto Pouncey Tract, and the site would have two pocket parks, as well as a small existing wetland. Interior street parking would be supplemented by two-car garages for every unit. Sidewalks and pedestrian lighting would be placed along interior streets and along Pouncey Tract Road. Community feedback has flagged a lack of area lighting as a concern.
The original proposal included a road connection to the Bacova Village development to the north, but the Bacova Village Unit Owners Association was strongly opposed to connecting the two development, with its president, Dave Pisinti, arguing that routing vehicles through that community would pose a safety risk to their residents, who are all 55 and older. In addition, he said, it would unfairly burden the community with higher traffic and road use.
Andy Condlin, representing the developer, committed to removing the connection from the proposal, though he retained the option for one to be built in the future if Bacova Village agrees.
Henrico planners also pushed hard for the plan to include a 0.88-acre parcel on the northeast side so that sidewalks, vegetation buffers, and streetlights could be extended all the way up Pouncey Tract. Condlin explained that the current owner doesn’t want to sell, but the plan does allow for expansion onto that parcel when it becomes available.
Three Chopt Commissioner Bob Shippee raised school capacity concerns, since Deep Run High is already over capacity and this development would push Colonial Trail Elementary over as well. Shippee noted, though, that the one to two-year timeline of this development may prevent any major overcrowding.
Both cases next will be heard May 12 by the board of supervisors, which holds final decision-making authority.
In another case, Brow Holdings LLC also withdrew an application to build townhomes and single-family homes in Varina on North Laburnum Avenue, south of where it meets Kingsridge Parkway.
