Henrico Planning Commission advances 7 Brew, DogServices Kennel proposals

Varina District residents are one step closer to having access to a 7 Brew drive-through coffee shop, with the Henrico Planning Commission recommending approval for a proposed location on the southwest corner of South Laburnum Avenue and Finlay Street. The store would operate from 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. daily and have limitations on its use of outside speakers.

Three Chopt District residents, meanwhile, may soon see a replacement for the recently closed DogServices dog daycare and boarding facility on Pouncey Tract Road. The commission recommended approval for a new location a mile away, behind the Brookhollow Shopping Center. It would operate from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the weekend and be able to accommodate 40 to 50 dogs at a time.

The commission also recommended approval for a Varina District proposal to expand Ace Hydroseeding’s business on 73 acres along Pocahontas Parkway, slightly east of its intersection with Monahan Road. This would consolidate all the company’s locations into one and expand operations on that site.

The proposal includes a 16,000-square-foot office and shop, a large gravel storage yard, and additional office and industrial areas for use by still-undetermined tenants. A large portion of the site will remain wooded.

The proposal had evolved during the previous two months to address Henrico Planning Department concerns, and the developer has added significant additional information about the proposed buildings, landscaping, setbacks, buffers, utility connections, drainage, and screening. The revised plan also avoids property access via Monahan, except in emergencies.

“It’s always good to see some local guys have a business in Varina, and be able to keep it in Varina, and hopefully it’ll continue to grow,” said Varina Commissioner William Mackey.

The Henrico Board of Supervisors is expected to hear each case during its Oct. 13 meeting.