A recent conceptual rendering of the Diamond District along Arthur Ashe Boulevard. (City data)
CDA on Diamond District Bonds, City Council Committee Agenda
Richmond City Council's Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Development will consider several big-ticket items this week.
The ordinances subject to review include the city's acceptance of $100 million in state aid for combined sewer overflow projects and $988,000 from the current city budget's $9 million increase in estimated interest revenue for park improvement projects. This includes the appropriation of
The commission will also consider ordinances related to changes in the funding approach for the first phase of the Diamond District project, which includes a new ballpark that will be the backbone of the development. The ordinance allows the city to issue $170 million in bonds to finance all phases, establish a Community Development Authority (CDA) for future phases, and amend the project's development agreement. Is recognized.
The full meeting agenda can be found here.
Chesterfield approves FY25 budget, implements tax rate reduction
The Chesterfield Board of Supervisors approved the county budget for fiscal year 2025 last week.
The $2 billion budget takes effect on July 1 and represents a $100 million increase compared to the current FY24 budget. The budget's main operating fund, the FY25 General Fund, is $998.9 million, an increase of about $47 million compared to FY24.
Part of the FY25 budget plan, but not yet approved, includes a $300 million bond issue for road projects, with about half of the funding earmarked for construction of the first phase of the Pawwhite Parkway expansion project. It is planned to be used.
The bond package will be subject to another vote scheduled for May 15th.
Supervisors approved a 1-cent reduction in the real estate tax rate to 90 cents per $100 of assessed value. The city of Chesterfield expects to collect $701.7 million in general property taxes, including real estate and personal property taxes, a 7% increase compared to the $656.5 million projected in the adopted FY24 budget. It will increase soon.
The board also reduced the county's personal property tax rate by 25 cents to $3.35 per $100 of assessed value. The County Commission also increased the personal property tax relief threshold from 39% to 44%.
County officials revised the general fund budget upward by about $499,000 from what was originally proposed.
Rockwood Neighborhood StyleCraft townhome project comes up for Planning Commission vote
Conceptual plan for the Lockwood Grove project. (County data)
The Chesterfield Planning Commission is scheduled to consider a housing project in the county's Rockwood area Tuesday.
StyleCraft Homes is seeking zoning approval for a mixed-use project of up to 260 townhomes and office space near Lockwood Park.
The proposed development, called Lockwood Grove, would sit on a 35-acre complex that includes a parcel at 9701 Hull Street Road.
The project has been developed for review by the Planning Commission. StyleCraft was planning a high-density project with up to 420 units, divided into apartments and townhomes, in May 2023. The latest version of the project only features townhomes on the residential side, with an office use for the site also proposed.
According to a staff report, the company is seeking to rezone the project site to Residential Townhouses (R-TH) with a conditional development plan, as well as permitting office development and requiring bike path construction. They are also seeking an exception to remove it.
The development is planned to be built within the part of the county covered by the Rockwood Special Focus Area Plan, which is designed to improve The aim is to induce redevelopment of retail centers.
The Planning Commission will decide whether to recommend that the Board of Supervisors give final approval to the project. The board will consider the matter at a later date.
The full Planning Commission agenda can be found here.
Henrico Commission advances 600-acre data center project and Costco expansion
At last week's meeting, the Henrico County Planning Commission announced a previously postponed plan to rezone 622 acres southeast of the Interstate 64-295 interchange in Varina for industrial development, including advanced manufacturing and a data center. recommended approval of the request. The request builds on an earlier proposal from Atlantic Crossing LLC, which included Texas-based Hillwood Development.
The commission also supported Costco's plan to expand the footprint of its warehouse store at 9650 W. Broad St. and move its gas station to an adjacent lot at 9700-9750 W. Broad St.
Both cases now go to county supervisors for a final vote.
Ashland is promoting internally to fill the position of Assistant Town Manager
The City of Ashland announced last week that two current employees will be promoted to town government.
martha miller
Martha Miller has been named assistant town manager for external affairs and Doug Goodman has been named assistant town manager for internal affairs. Miller and Goodman will assume their new positions on June 25, according to a town news release.
Doug Goodman
As external operations manager, Mr. Miller will lead community engagement efforts, manage parks and recreation, and oversee legislative issues. Miller is the town's community engagement manager, responsible for citizen engagement efforts and tourism marketing. She holds degrees from James Madison University and Johns Hopkins University.
Goodman is a former Ashland police chief and serves as the town's administrative services coordinator. In that role, he oversees grant projects related to the American Rescue Plan Act and is also the town clerk. Mr. Goodman holds degrees from Virginia Tech and his VCU.
Mr. Goodman will continue to assume these responsibilities as internal operations manager and will be responsible for managing IT and human resources operations, among other duties.
