Jeff Davis development goes for vote this month
By Greg Pearson STAFF WRITER

Broad Street Partners hopes the Chesterfield Planning Commission will vote on its 191-acre mixed-use development on Jefferson Davis Highway this week, so the county board can hear the rezoning case next week. The controversial rezoning near Osborne Road about a mile south of Route 288 includes tearing down the Americana Trailer Park and displacing the occupants of 275 mobile homes there.

The developer has double advertised the rezoning, meaning it goes to the supervisors on Oct. 24 unless the commission defers the case, which the county staff is recommending. Development attorney John Cogbill says the push is occurring because the developer wants to break ground in January 2009, and a later date before the board might cause more delay.

The county's current policy stipulates that the board cannot consider rezonings after the Nov. 6 election if a majority of the members will not remain on the board in January 2008. Two of the board's five members - supervisors Renny Humphrey and Dickie King - are not seeking reelection. If any of the remaining three supervisors - Kelly Miller, Art Warren or Don Sowder - is not re-elected, the Jefferson Davis rezoning could not be heard any earlier than January. In that likelihood, since the rezoning is in King's district and there will be a new Bermuda supervisor in January, he or she will likely seek more time to study the case, causing further delay.

Those living in the trailer park are being offered up to $4,000 each to aid in their relocation and will be given 6-12 months notice. Community meetings have included a Spanish interpreter. Chesterfield County is involved with the possible relocation and has contacted the United Way and Catholic Charities for their assistance.

"We're trying to address the human side," said Cogbill.

The developer plans on 68 acres for retail fronting on Jefferson Davis Highway, 66 acres for residential and 57 acres for industrial/ office warehouse at the back of the property. The 540,000 square feet of retail in an enterprise zone would include unnamed big box stores including a 153,000-square-foot anchor. The multifamily residential would include 60-80 apartments meeting affordable housing standards. The applicant is also proffering $3 million for road improvements but without proffers for the affordable housing units.

Despite the relocation, several business leaders are known to support the rezoning. "It's good, sound economic development that we need in the corridor," said Bob Schrum, a Chesterfield businessman. "They're also looking out for the residents."