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Vol. 4 No. 45 | Richmond Suburban News | July 24, 2019
Planners recommend denial for Lake District By Jim Ridolphi for Ashland-Hanover Local HANOVER -- For the second time in eight months, the Hanover County Planning Commission recommended denial of a project that would have changed the complexion of the Route 33 corridor near the Henrico County line. Several commissioners cited concerns regarding density, infrastructure and a perceived focus on residential availability versus commercial development as well as transportation concerns on Route 33. Hanover’s Comprehensive Plan identifies the area as suitable for residential and commercial development and mixed use zoning. The Planning Commission issued a unanimous recommendation for denial last November, and the applicant did not pursue a hearing with the Hanover County Board of Supervisors. Boyd Homes submitted a revised plan for the Lake District, an area of more than 310 acres located just off Mountain Road near the county line that outlined 86 additional acres for economic development in an effort to alleviate concerns raised when the panel first recom-
mended denial last year. Revisions to the plan made early this year also reduced the number of residential units to 1,787 and identified more than 300,000 square feet of commercial or light industrial development. Larry Leadbetter, who represents the South Anna District in which the development is proposed, thanked Boyd Homes for its efforts during the past two years to submit an acceptable plan for county approval. Even with the revised LEADBETTER plans that included a substantial reduction in residential units, Leadbetter said he could not support the proposal. “The heartburn I have with the project is the high density,” Leadbetter said. “The original concept of why this corridor was changed in the Comprehensive Plan was to incorporate an economic development zone . . . the focal point was on the commercial side of this for economic development.”
Leadbetter noted that no timetable had been provided for improvements on Route 33, as he moved to recommend denial of the project. Commissioner Steven Hadra, Chickahominy District, agreed, issuing a concern regarding the commercial aspect of the project. “What’s being considered here is putting in residential first and then hoping the economic development comes later . . . and hoping that will come to fruition,” Hadra said. “I think we need more commercial and less residential,” Commissioner Jerry Bailey, Henry District, said. An equal number of speakers took advantage of the public hearing to either voice support or opposition to the project. A large portion of the opposition comments were centered around the limitations of Mountain Road and the effects of increased traffic on an already congested area. Brandon Davis, a manager at Tyson Foods, said widening the road along frontage associated with the project
ASHLAND – Downtown Ashland Association (previously called Ashland Main Street Association) has been awarded a 2019 Commemoration Finale Grant for Ashland Train Day. Train Day, now in its 16th year and one of Downtown Ashland Association’s signature events, is a free and familyfriendly festival that draws thousands of visitors to Ashland’s historic downtown each year. Ashland Train Day 2019 will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2.
“Downtown Ashland Association is thrilled to receive this support, especially in light of our recent re-branding efforts and expanded mission to encourage tourism downtown,” said Maggie Longest, executive director LONGEST of Downtown Ashland Association. The 2019 Commemoration, Ameri-
can Evolution Finale Grants were awarded for 16 events statewide taking place in November. Ashland Train Day and other recipients will be promoted as part of the Virginia Customs, Cultures and Cuisine Festival. The program is administered by Virginia Tourism Corporation. Through a partnership with The Hanover County Black Heritage Society and the Ashland Museum, Downtown Ashland Association will utilize the
Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com
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grant to launch new permanent exhibits that focus on Virginia’s railway evolution and history, the impact on Virginia’s towns and communities, and stories of local and state railway figures. In addition, a scavenger hunt will bring the evolution of Virginia’s railroads and trackside communities to life for participants of all ages. “Through these new exhibits, we hope to encourage our visitors to look deeper at the resulting social communities, laborers, travelers, tycoons, and towns,” Longest added. “The Hanover County Black Heritage Society will
ANOVER -- Dr. Clara James Scott, a Montpelier native and Hanover educator, has announced her candidacy for the South Anna District seat on the Hanover County Board of Supervisors. Scott was raised in Montpelier and graduated from Patrick Henry High School in 1979 and went on to earn her Doctorate from Virginia Tech. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Longwood University and a master’s degree from Virginia State University. She said her goal has been to inspire young people in her community to learn and thrive. She has SCOTT been employed by Hanover County Public Schools as a business education teacher at Atlee High School and as an assistant principal at Liberty Middle School. Scott makes her home in western Hanover with her hus-
see GRANT, pg. 4
see SCOTT, pg. 12
see PLANNERS, pg. 10
Ashland organization gets grant for 2019 Train Day Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com
Scott seeks South Anna BOS seat