Moving forward
Transportation Department signs off on Branner Station
By Greg Pearson STAFF WRITER

Located south of Chester, Branner Station could create 4,688 homes. The Chesterfield Planning Commission is expected to consider the developer's zoning case next month.

The developer of Branner Station has cleared a major hurdle by getting the green light from the county's transportation department. "We've been working with these folks for quite awhile, and I think we're in agreement that we can support the [zoning] case," said Transportation Director John McCracken.

HHHunt will bring the large zoning case before the planning commission next month. As proposed, Branner Station includes 4,688 homes situated on 1,665 acres south of Chester along Happy Hill Road. One-third of the housing will be multifamily. The community will also have about 400,000 square feet of office and retail space.

It will take until 2025 for the development to reach full build-out.

In a presentation last week to neighboring residents, HHHunt stressed it is paying $10.1 million more than the county's maximum proffer of $15,600 per home. Of that total, $70 million is earmarked for offsite road improvements including a four-lane road north to Route 288 and a two-lane road east to I-95 at the Walthall interchange.

Photos courtesy of HHHunt

McCracken said the road proffer is an estimate since HHHunt is committed to building the roads whatever the cost. Road construction will occur in six phases as homes are built.

The developer also proffered 117 acres for a new elementary school and high school.

Community amenities will include a swim and fitness center, a swim and racquet center, parks, tot lots, an amphitheatre and miles of trails connecting the different neighborhoods. The site includes 120 acres of wetlands.

HHHunt is currently completing Charter Colony with 1,800 homes in Midlothian. Its resume also includes building Wyndham (2,600 homes) and Wellesley (800 homes) in western Henrico County.

"We're not an out-of-town developer who bought the property and is going to leave when the projects ends," said Dan Schmitt, president of HHHunt and a graduate of Midlothian High School.

The 20-year-old company recently helped raise $250,000 - mostly from the development community - to build an addition at the Midlothian YMCA.

Some in the audience of about 100 last week asked specific questions because they believe their homes might be in the right-ofway for needed roads or utilities. The actual paths for both have not yet been determined. Though rarely used, Chesterfield could ask for the right of eminent domain and have property sold at a court-ordered price.

"Some acquisitions would have to occur," admitted McCracken.

Even though neighborhood roads would be improved, some residents seemed to oppose the rezoning because they believe the improved roadways will dramatically increase traffic counts due to the size of Branner Station.

There are also concerns about overcrowded schools since some area schools are already beyond capacity. Though two new schools are currently under construction in eastern Chesterfield, some School Board members are concerned about future capacity because of the size of Branner Station and the population growth expected from the Fort Lee expansion.