Henrico hearing focuses on Varina’s growth

Henrico County's 2026 Comprehensive Plan covers the entire county, but Varina was the only area worth talking about for most of the speakers at last night's public hearing.

From the Varina Beautification Committee to a tree farmer who lives on the border with New Kent County, speakers asked the county Board of Supervisors not to turn Varina into another Short Pump.

Andy Edmonds, who said he works in the motion picture industry, talked about bringing clients from New Zealand and Russia to see the area between state Route 5 and the James River. "How amazed they are that this wide open space exists so close to an urban center," he said.

"There's a lot of fear here tonight, that their beloved rural landscape will be forever changed by development," he said.

Charlie Finley, chairman of the Varina Beautification Committee, said that communities already approved for the east end of the county have more housing units than will be needed in an economic slump. Yet, people there have heard that the land use plan has to accommodate growth that is going to come to Varina.

"I would say that is not planning, it's a passive approach to what is going to roll downhill, and you had better do your best to deal with it."

Pediatrician Tracy Wright urged more parks and bikeable/walkable communities to combat childhood obesity. Bicyclists, too, asked for more attention to bike trails.

And a few people offered support. Michelle Gluck, chairman of the Henrico Business Council, described the plan as a guide to smart growth.

Jack Nelson, who described himself as "one of those farmers we keep talking about" said he viewed his land as his retirement account and worried about open-space advocates taking control away from farmers.

"I think no plan is going to suit everybody," he said. "Don't mess with me any more than necessary."

Ashley Goodwin, one of several who supported a historic preservation ordinance, noted that "this is not some landlocked square state where nothing happened before 1890. No preservation ordinance or succinct guidelines has ever been set. We need guidlines to uphold standards for the preservation of our remaining historic assets."