Commission recommends Cheatham for approval
By Greg Pearson STAFF WRITER

On a 4-1 vote last week, the Chesterfield Planning Commission recommended the 63-acre Cheatham property for rezoning from agriculture to regional mixed use with townhouses. The tract is in the northwest quadrant of the intersection of routes 288/360, allowing up to 600 single-family and multifamily homes including a 3-4 story high-rise building that could be used for independent senior housing, assisted living or a nursing home.

"Old Hundred Road is beyond its capacity," said Matoaca Planning Commissioner Wayne Bass in explaining his vote against the rezoning.

The case was first introduced to the commission in February 2005 and became bogged down in questions about access. County policy normally requires two access roads, but the next door community of Nuttree didn't want the development cutting through its neighborhood. That left Market Square Lane as the only access.

The applicant proffered to provide sprinklers in every residence and not to build more than "135 single-family and/or townhouse units…[or] 400 dwelling units" before providing a second access. The Chesterfield Fire Department, however, recommended against the rezoning.

"It could be all residential," worried Dale Commissioner Sherman Litton.

Clover Hill Commissioner Russ Gulley called it a "difficult case." Cheatham would pay $9.4 million in proffers, much of it to widen Old Hundred Road to a four-lane road from Market Square south to Hull Street Road and north to Tall Hickory Drive. If the Virginia Department of Transportation approves a traffic light on Old Hundred Road at Market Square Lane, the Cheathams would be obligated to pay for it.

"We got all the road proffers possible," said Transportation Director John McCracken.

Two nearby business owners endorsed the rezoning as a "rebirth of Market Square." The shopping center declined when Safeway and People's Drug moved out years ago. Two Nuttree residents argued against the rezoning, saying it would increase road congestion because there would be too many homes on just 63 acres.

The development is anticipated to add 319 children to Chesterfield schools at build-out. The case is expected to be heard by the new board of supervisors in January.