Board approves conditional rezoning for 60-home development near 9 Mile and Newbridge

The Henrico County Board of Supervisors on March 10 approved a conditional rezoning that will allow a developer to build up to 60 detached single-family homes on a 17.5-acre wooded site near 9 Mile Road and Newbridge Road.

Planning staff presented the Crawford conceptual plan and said the site includes wetlands and floodplain areas that will be conserved. Staff detailed changes the applicant made since the planning commission hearing, including a 35-foot planted buffer along 9 Mile Road, revised grading, and a switch to a dry stormwater pond (BMP) to manage post-development flows. After reviewing additional engineering calculations, the county Department of Public Works confirmed staff’s concerns about drainage had been addressed, and staff recommended approval.

Emerson, the planning presenter, said the plan shows two access points (a right-in/right-out on 9 Mile and a connection to Robin Avenue), sidewalks, and lot widths consistent with the R5A and R5B zoning standards. "With the applicant having satisfactorily addressed the site design concerns, staff can now recommend approval," Emerson said.

Attorney Kate Lafayette, representing the applicant Project Homes, summarized engineering changes and said the revised grading and dry pond reduce post-development off‑site peak flows to below predevelopment flow for a 10-year storm. Lafayette said the homes are planned at roughly 1,500 square feet, and the developer is targeting prices aimed at 80–120% of area median income (about $225,000 to $295,000, as presented).

Neighbor Ron Tony spoke during public comment, raising concerns about traffic egress, the limited single entrance/exit, the lack of existing sidewalks in front of his property and how new traffic patterns could affect nearby streets, and local crime mitigation. "Some of my main concerns are the traffic… one way in, one way out, that's not gonna work out too well," Tony said. County staff and the project engineer said the proposed dry pond will discharge to the county storm system (not to the ditch adjacent to Tony's land) and that access spacing and any full-access option would be determined with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) during site plan review.

Board member Reverend Tyrone Nelson moved to approve the rezoning with revised proffers dated Feb. 18, 2026; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

The rezoning approval requires subdivision and site-plan review and VDOT approval of final access configurations; additional details such as final lot layouts, construction timing and homeowner price points will be determined as the project advances through those processes.

Ending: The board closed the public hearing on the case the same night and approved the conditional rezoning; staff will continue to work with VDOT and the applicant during the development-review phase.