KROGER Continued from pg. 1
be featured at the new Kroger Marketplace. The proposed tract currently belongs to Lillian Kreynus, whose family bought the property in the 1940s and farmed the property for years. “At 91 years old, she needs to sell the property so she can maintain her quality of life in the last days of her golden years,” said Stephanie Thompson, Kreynus’ great niece who spoke on her behalf. Jean Longest said people who bought homes in Summer Grove and Spring Meadows subdivisions were well aware they were living in an area designed to accommodate commercial growth. “I feel like it is, basically, an exercise in futility to move into a subdivision adjacent to a major highway that connects to an interstate and not expect growth to occur,” Longest said. But neighbors who live in
those subdivisions and others adjacent to the proposed development cited real safety concerns with a larger store and the increased cut through traffic in their neighborhoods. Joe Bidwell expressed those concerns with his 4-year-old Hayden at his side. “It’s going to mean more traffic coming through my neighborhood,” Bidwell said. The father of two said he would continue traffic monitoring in the neighborhood. Supervisor Sean Davis of the Henry District confirmed the concerns were legitimate, but said he would continue to monitor any problems in the area both before and after the facility was completed, and provide remedies through increased traffic enforcement measures. He moved for approval of the project and his fellow board members agreed unanimously with Elton Wade, Cold Harbor District, absent. “People often tell me they
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want development projects done right. In this case, it has been done right,” Davis said. In other matters, the supervisors approved a conditional use permit from Craig Realty Group for a five-story parking garage adjacent to the proposed site of the new Outlets Mall. The garage will provide 899 additional parking spaces when the development called Outlets at Richmond is built. William Shewmake, an attorney representing McGeorge RV Center, the nation’s largest RV retail outlet, whose property is adjacent to the proposed parking deck, asked that the consideration be deferred, allowing the parties time to negotiate their differences. Shewmake expressed safety concerns when non-professional RV drivers exiting the McGeorge facility encounter pedestrians crossing the street to access the mall. EMAC and McGeorge have
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September 30, 2015
filed lawsuits against the county and Craig in the past, and their representative said those suits are partially responsible for hesitancy on the part of his client to conduct further talks. “Our willingness to talk has been somewhat tempered by prior negotiations and the fact that we have been sued as has been the county,” Theobold, the applicant’s representative, said. Shewmake indicated more negotiations were needed. “We would very much like to work with the applicant so we can resolve the safety issues. If you were going to set this up from the beginning, this is not how you would design the shopping center, having RVs coming where people are crossing a walk,” Shewmake said. Attempts to negotiate between the two parties have not worked out, according to Shewmake. “We have tried to reach the applicant. He simply doesn’t talk to us. We want to resolve everything … (referring to the lawsuit).” Theobold, representing Craig, was not in favor of a deferral. “I don’t think a deferral would serve any purpose in this case,” he said. The supervisors unanimously approved the application and also approved a special height exemption for the new parking garage. In other matters, Dr. Rick Richardson interim superintendent of Hanover County Public Schools, provided an opening day update on the 2015-2016 year. The news was all good. “It’s the best opening I’ve had in my 44 years of service,” Richardson said. The acting superintendent said recent Standards of Learning (SOL) test results confirm a positive path on which the system has embarked. Improved test scores, additional career and technical
training, physical improvements to facilities were all part of the good news. Richardson said he expects all Hanover schools to be fully accredited once those figures are announced by the state’s Department of Education. He also expects final approval from the DOE for the county’s pilot Governor’s School for Career and Technology that will serve 32 school divisions and serve as a model for similar projects nationwide. In other items, the supervisors added an item to its legislative list for the upcoming General Assembly. They adopted an item pertaining to body cams worn by law enforcement officers and what can be done with the video. Angela Kelly-Wiecek, Chickahominy District, said she was concerned over citizens’ personal privacy. “I think this is well crafted,” she said. County attorney Sterling Rives told board members that he has submitted a request to the FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) Advisory Board requesting an opinion on whether citizens are currently protected under the current guidelines that provide exemptions. Davis said he was uncomfortable with government restricting access because of what could or might happen. The item requests the General Assembly “amend the Freedom of Information Act, as necessary, to assure that law enforcement agencies are not required to release video and audio recorded by body worn cameras that would disclose the identities and personal information of private citizens and to assure that agencies do not incur burdensome costs in responding to requests.” Davis cast the only dissenting vote.
Brat endorses Peace M E C HA N I C S V I L L E – U.S. Rep. Dave Brat (R-7) recently endorsed Christopher K. Peace and his bid for re-election as delegate to the Virginia General Assembly representing the 97th District. In his endorsement, Brat applauded Peace for his conservative leadership in Richmond, his thoughtful approach to representative democracy and respect for the Constitution. “I am proud to endorse my friend, Chris Peace, for re-election. Chris has served his constituents with honor, integrity and compassion, and his voting record shows a consistent focus on opposing tax increases, protecting family values, defending the Constitution, and promoting job creation with a high quality of life in Hanover, King William and New Kent counties. I strongly support his reelection and look forward to continuing to work with him.” According to the congressman, Peace’s priorities promote an atmosphere that will encourage job creation see PEACE, pg. 8
RURITAN Continued from pg. 2
Village Bank; Lipscombe Appliance; Chris Peace, Republican for Delegate; McCaul, Martin, Evans & Cook P.C.; Nationwide, J. Harrison Moncure; Battlefield Press Inc.; and Hoober Inc. For more information, go to bluegrass@hanoverruritan.org or call 804-335-8935.