Private road gives Board of Supervisors reason to wait
By Greg Pearson
Planners overruled on Hickory Road project

In a surprising development last week, the Chesterfield board deferred rezoning a 74-acre tract called Greenwich Walk to multifamily for 30 days. The proposed neo-traditional townhouse development near the new Cosby High School has previous approval from the planning commission and a provisional endorsement from the planning staff with concerns noted about enough parking and water quality issues.

The supervisors, however, focused on whether it would be a gated community- meaning the development's road would be private and maintained by its community association. The developer, Swift Creek Realty Partners LLC, preferred a gated community for marketing purposes and as a "deterrent to crime," according to its attorney John Cogbill.

Transportation Director John McCracken objected, saying a private road within the community could become a county liability if not properly maintained. "You should deny the requests for private roads," he advised the supervisors. He also pointed out that private roads create potential problems for access by police, fire and EMS vehicles.

In the proposed rezoning agreement, proffer 13 clearly stated that "all streets that accommodate general traffic circulation through the property shall be...taken into the state system." If there was a third access road to the development, it could be private.

With those stipulations, Matoaca Supervisor Renny Humphrey motioned for approval, but it died for lack of a second. After more discussion, the board settled on a 30-day deferral.

The developer is paying a full cash proffer ($15,600 per residence), which could be reduced depending on how many homes would be built for senior housing.

The board and McCracken wanted the developer to extend an east-west connector road that begins in Woodlake and build it westward to Otterdale Road, reducing congestion on Route 360.

Though some members of Hands Across the Lake, an environmental group focused on the Swift Creek Reservoir, were concerned about the development's runoff, the county's environmental engineering department said an existing lake on the property would serve as a regional collection pond for the entire site.

Matoaca development is approved

Despite recommendations of denial by the planning commission and planning department, the board approved a 330-home development on Hickey Road across from the Matoaca Middle School annex by a 4-0 vote. Developer Reeds Landing Corporation is paying the full proffer of $15,600 per home (totaling $5.1 million) and extending water and sewer to the area.

Some area residents fear that when water and sewer become available, it will spur more residential growth. Jerry Jernigan of Matoaca estimated that "2,500 acres will be opened up to development."

County staff opposed the rezoning because the developer was not paying for a northsouth road through the property at the outset as is usually required. Several supervisors said they were confident in the developer's reputation to complete the road after the 281st lot is recorded.