Watershed grading is at issue

A holdover from the Upper Swift Creek plan passed in June that would prohibit leveling large pieces of land for residential developments is creeping forward and raising eyebrows.

The "mass grading" ordinance, before the county's Planning Commission tomorrow, would restrict the flattening of land in the Swift Creek Reservoir's watershed for projects with an average lot size greater than 10,000 square feet.

Richard M. McElfish, the county's environmental engineering director, says unchecked construction causes erosion and increased pollutant loads in the reservoir through stormwater runoff because "you have much more cleared at one time than you need to." Less grading means less area exposed to the rain, he said.

The ordinance would impede the potential for mixed-use development, said Warren Wakeland, governmental affairs director for the Home Building Association of Richmond.

He says the change would run contrary to the county's efforts to encourage new-urbanism style neighborhoods by making it more difficult to provide alleyway access.

"The developer would have to end up putting in retaining walls and private drainage systems and just the cost of it would be prohibitive," Wakeland said.

Also on the Planning Commission's agenda tomorrow:

Fee adjustments

A public hearing will be held on an amendment that would reduce fees for homeowners trying to launch in-home businesses. The county raised planning department fees in August and in the process more than doubled the cost to apply for the conditional-use permit required for a home-based business. Proposed are two new categories that would reduce the fee from $5,300 to $1,000 for all home businesses.

Appomattox River park

The county's Parks and Recreation department is requesting approval of an 80-acre park on the Appomattox River. The plan would allow a hiking trail and canoe launch along a 1-mile stretch of river near River Road and Penmar Drive. If approved, the land, valued at $800,000, will be purchased for $560,000 by the county from owner John J. Radcliffe and the park named in his honor.

Windermere

Revised plans for the second and third phases of the Windermere subdivision off Kingsland and Beulah roads will be up for approval at the commission's afternoon session. The planning staff has recommended against the plans, which propose 57 lots and 62 lots respectively, because they would be served by only a single access each.
Contact Wesley P. Hester at (804) 649-6976 or .