Henrico supervisors expected to vote Aug. 11 on $1.6M renovation to Varina on the James
On Aug. 11 at 6 p.m., the Henrico Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote on a $1.6 million contract for the restoration of Varina on the James, a 19th-century former plantation home bought by the county in 2023 for the purpose of historical preservation.
Suburban Remodeling Corporation will work to restore the property – which the county purchased in 2023 for $1.3 million – starting this September, with anticipated completion in June 2027. The two-story home, built in 1853, is located on the 2,095-acre Varina Farms property, which also was purchased by the county in 2024 for $17 million.
The former plantation, situated along the James River in the Varina District, has a long documented history dating back to the 17th century. The Varina on the James home was built by the plantation-owning Aiken family and was the site of fighting during the Civil War.
The board also is expected to vote on introducing a new ordinance which would allow the county to place speed cameras in school zones. The penalty for speeding at least 10 miles-an-hour over the posted speed limit would be set at $100. If the introduction is approved, the board will hold a public hearing and vote on the ordinance on Sept. 8.
At a July 28 work session, county staffers said they planned to install the cameras at all high schools and two middle schools at the end of this year.
Supervisors will also vote on the following rezoning cases at Tuesday’s meeting:
• a Provisional Use Permit (PUP) for a masonic lodge (associated with the Freemasonry group) on 3.5 acres of land northeast of the intersection between Bethlehem and Dickens roads in the Brookland District;
• rezoning of 8.9 acres southeast of the intersection between Dill Road and Vawter Avenue for the Imago Dei private school in the Fairfield District;
• rezoning of 26 acres east of Beckley Road from C-1 conservation and to A-1 agricultural land in the Varina District. No specific uses have been identified, but the A-1 zoning would allow agricultural uses and single-family homes.
• a PUP to allow indoor recreation for the existing Occasions Too! Business on 3.7 acres in the Newbridge Shopping Center in the Varina District.
The board will also meet at 3:45 p.m. for a special meeting to hear an update on St. Joseph’s Villa, a review on residential development, and an update on the SAFE high speed driving program.
Liana Hardy is the Citizen’s government and education reporter. Support her work and articles like this one by making a contribution to the Citizen.
