Chesterfield begins shaping master plan
Published: October 25, 2009
Chesterfield County residents want to see growth directed north, toward Richmond, with a focus on compact, walkable communities that offer businesses. They also want the southern and western portions of the county left largely untouched.
Those were among the findings of a recent series of resident input meetings, the results of which will shape the county's new comprehensive plan -- the first attempt to address countywide growth and infrastructure since the 1980s.
The plan will focus growth in the state's fourth-largest locality for the next 25 years by establishing guidelines for development.
The county's 34-member steering committee began work on the plan Monday, taking feedback from the meetings and molding it into maps for the county, showing areas where growth would be focused.
"One of the things that we're encouraged with is the number of times we're seeing common themes arise," said Vlad Gavrilovic, a planner with Renaissance Planning Group, which was contracted by the county to lead the 18-month process that began in May.
One major focus, he said, was "the idea that there is a variety in density but also a variety in housing types and price ranges."
Residents also stressed "looking for infill and redevelopment opportunities as the first focus of new growth," and "revitalizing particularly older commercial areas or older neighborhoods," he said.
In mapping exercises, residents suggested growth near major transportation corridors off state Route 288, Interstate 95 and Midlothian Turnpike. Those areas would have high-density, mixed-use development in the northern and eastern parts of the county; development would taper off to the southwest.
"It's reassuring because the themes mirror the same sort of things professional staff would have said," said Kirk Turner, county planning director.
Renaissance will take the results of Monday's meeting and build three computer program scenarios for the county. From there, the steering committee will select a preferred scenario and shape it into a county vision, to be presented to elected leaders in February.
The county hopes to have a draft plan to the Planning Commission by next October.
But before members begin writing the county's future, some want more answers.
"So far, we've spent almost no time on the school system. Half the county's budget is involved in education, and we have not had any meetings with the administration of the schools," said steering committee member Charles White. "I don't see how we can have any comprehensive plan without an in-depth dialogue with the education system."
White also asked if those involved in the process could find a way to look at the costs associated with certain ideas for the future, such as extending Powhite Parkway.
"Everything costs money," he said, "and without an understanding of how it's going to be paid for, what's the point?"
Contact Wesley P. Hester at (804) 649-6976 or
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Reader Reactions
I would like to add only one point to this funny argument. I was wondering if each of you has thought of your own impact? If you live in a new house (less than 10 years) or on a two acre lot, you are contributing to the problem. The folks that live in Western Chesterfield have caused the problem, and THEY are the people who have the nerve to complain about growth. Unbelieveable!!!!
I would really like to see less asphalt, concrete and emtpy businesses. Instead, how about some farms that could grow local food without a bunch of additives and hormones and so on, enhance mother earth and our environment instead fo drying it all up. Chesterfield has no use for wetlands even though it’s one source for ground water which you are quickly running out of. Perhaps a little countryside thrown in which is what we really need. Of course, that won’t generate the tax base so everyone can live in big houses, drive big cars, send their kids to the best schools even though most of them do drugs rather than study. Fortunately, there are some exceptions. Life was much simpler in my rural farming world, perhaps some of you should try it. Go up 1,000 or so feet and see what a tiny little speck you are in the scheme of life and get over yourselves.
Oneuser,
You must be joking if you thik that all Chesterfield needs to do is build some idustrial stuff and their tax base will be just fine. Industrial is a dinosaur. The industrial jobs are leaving this country because companies have to pay workers so much, which workers have to demand so they can afford housing. Do you think that if the County builds some industrial buildings a bunch of jobs will just appear magically? Get real.
Also, if I recall correctly you think that density is a developers ploy to get more money. I also recall you thinking that everyone should get 1-10 acres and that would solve everything. When in reality all that would do would be to cause services to be even more expensive. Your grasp of development is so far out of whack it is scary.
Density can be a good thing where services already exist because it will help reduce sprawl and the cost of services. Chesterfield should look at reducing the proffer in certain areas where infrastructure already exists so that growth would be encouraged in those areas instead of continuing to expand out.
I still can’t figure out why you hate builders so much. I agree that there are some bad builders and developers out there, but the majority are providing an essential service and are getting rightfully compensated for it, just like you get paid for the job you do.
oneuser do you mean cheap in price or cheap in quality? All these builders have done in the western part of the county is build homes from $350,000 and up and they sit empty for 12-18 months because there are no buyers for them.
I am concerned that these builders have the time and means to meet with the county officials. Most average citizens work and cannot take off in the middle of the day for a luncheon. I believe it is time for the average county resident to try to stop this welfare for builders. They have come here and built cheap houses and passed the infrastructure cost on to the taxpayer who can no longer afford to be taken advantage of.
Chesterfield needs more industrial type building to help create jobs and increase the tax basis. New homes only take away money and put it in the builders greedy pocket.
MikeyT, you are so far off the mark, it’s hard to know where to begin.
First, Henrico was the location of choice for many businesses before Chesterfield even began imposing proffers. Proffers had nothing to do with it. Henrico’s enormous head start on Chesterfield probably had more to do with the location of interstate highways, proximity to downtown and other reasons.
Second, your own statistics undercut your arguments. The first choice for housing over the last decade or two has been Chesterfield, not Henrico. Therefore, many of the employees of all those businesses that have located in Henrico rather than Chesterfield because of Chesterfield’s proffer requirement, according to you, are buying houses in ....... Chesterfield.
Third, county regulations do not prohibit infill development and revitalization of older areas. That’s just silly. Builders tend to gravitate to the path of least resistance. It’s generally easier and more profitable to buy cheap farmland and build there - especiallly if county taxpayers as a whole pick up a big chunk of the infrastructure costs. Proffers are a modest attempt to make new housing developments pay at least a portion of that new infrastructure cost.
Until Chesterfield attracts some sort of industry other than minimum wage paying retail stores, we are all doomed.
In so far as the schools are concerned, I think that parents of any child in Chesterfields school system should pay $25.00 per semester of attendance. This would help defray some of the schools expenses. That is not unreasonable when you consider the cost of parochial schools.
milkeyt..Why not consider home renovations as opposed to new construction? There is a lot of money to be made in new kitchens and bathrooms in existing homes.
Why not offer economic incentives for growth East of some agreed on point in the county with no proffers since the developer would be using existing services? Some upgrades might be needed, but Bond financing and TIFFs could help that.
( mikeyt )“I just thank God people in Chesterfield would never be dumb enough to elect someone who thinks the way you do about growth.“
I imagine you would like them to elect someone who would listen to your continuous whining and crying and give you whatever you want. Grow up and get a real job and stop living off of the county taxpayers. I am educated enough to know a con man when I hear one. Just as the other county tax payers do.
And oneuser, I’m done talking with you about growth. You have no clue what you’re talking about. No reason to argue with people like you. Ciao.
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