Highland Springs residents torn on proposed 49-home development

About a dozen Henrico residents spoke out during an Aug. 12 Henrico Board of Supervisors meeting about a new housing development proposed in Highland Springs, with some residents in vehement opposition to the plans, while others hope the development can provide more affordable housing for the region.

The development of up to 49 single-family homes, which is proposed for a 36-acre area northeast of the intersection between North Airport Drive and North Washington Street, would be built only if the board of supervisors agrees to rezone the area. At the Aug. 12 meeting, supervisors voted 5-0 to defer the case to their Sept. 9 meeting, with Varina District Supervisor Tyrone Nelson saying, “there is a lot to think through.”

Developer Dorado Capital LLC initially planned a development of more than 100 homes, but after significant pushback from the community, founder Harsh Thakker changed the proposal to 49 homes. The development would feature more densely-packed homes than the surrounding area, as a way to allow for 19 acres of conservation land on the site.

But the proposal has spurred several concerns from nearby residents, including worries about the development causing runoff into the Chickahominy River, damage to wetlands and wildlife, overcrowding of local schools, damage to residents’ wells, and significant change to the rural character of the community. 

Ricky Whitt, who lives on Beverstone Road, just “a stone’s throw away” from the proposed development, said that he and other neighbors have gone door-to-door and collected nearly 250 signatures on a petition against the development and other proposed developments nearby.

“I can assure you, the entirety of my community stands united in opposition,” he said. “Words mean something when they're spoken and so are promises. The promise I thought I was buying was the promise of a rural life with open spaces, devoid of invading HOAs and years of destruction from construction.”

Nearby residents have told the county they are willing to “meet halfway” and accept a development of one-acre lots. But a more densely-populated housing development is “not compatible” with the surrounding community, Whitt said.

“This incompatibility was admitted and voiced out loud from the developers themselves at the last planning commission meeting. And what was also stated by the planning commission, and I quote, ‘the houses have to go somewhere,’” he said. “This is unacceptable behavior and not the leadership we expect.”

'I want to see it grow'

But other Henrico residents argue that the proposed development is necessary to combat the county’s housing shortage and create more affordable housing. A petition in support of the development gained about 50 signatures from Varina residents.

The development’s homes are “smart” and “well-designed,” said Joh Gehlbach – the co-founder of RVA YIMBY (“Yes In My Backyard”), a community organization that pushes for more affordable housing – and “much-needed” for people in Henrico.

“Working folks cannot afford to buy a home in this county anymore. . . I bought my home in 2015 and I cannot afford to buy my own house today because prices have escalated so drastically,” said Gehlbach, who lives in the Fairfield District. “Not only is home ownership a core piece of the American dream, but it is the gateway to the middle class. And today, the American dream in Henrico is turning into a gated community that only a certain bunch of you can afford.”

Other residents said they want to see more housing particularly in Eastern Henrico – a part of the county that has seen less growth than areas in the West End. 

“I just want to see the community on this side of the east end of Henrico build up. I want to see it grow. I've been out here 20 something years, since 2000 and I haven't seen it grow,” said Julius, a Henrico resident. “So this could be the beginning of something over there. I just think that we need the population up so we can have the revenue to be able to do other things in the community.”

Nelson, who requested the board defer the case, said that while he “empathized” with residents who stand against the development, he also wants to consider the broader housing needs in Varina.

“This case is not just about your community alone. And I know for those who live in the community, you don’t want to hear that per se,” he said. “I have to look at these cases, not just neighborhood by neighborhood, but I have to look at it from a total scope. And there is a need for housing.”

But as the case continues to get deferred “time after time,” said Whitt, the original group of about 35 residents who came to meetings to vocally oppose the case has shrunk to only five, with many in the community losing hope.

“I’m glad [Nelson] deferred it tonight rather than make the decision of, yeah we’re just going to do it. But that means we’ve got to come back again,” Whitt said. “Because of the deferrals and because of the things that have been said, [the community has] lost a bit of hope, they’ve lost a bit of steam. Because our community, it’s an older community.”

At the Aug. 12 meeting, the board of supervisors also voted to approve a rezoning case in the Brookland District that would allow the construction of several single-family homes and a case in the Tuckahoe District that allows the creation of a drive-through restaurant.

The board also rejected a provisional use permit request that would have allowed gasoline sales on a 0.8-acre plot in the Fairfield District. 

And, it approved an ordinance that would bar vape shops from receiving funds from the Henrico Investment Program and a resolution that allows the county to participate in proposed settlements of opioid-related claims. 

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.