Henrico adopts ‘Henrico Next’ 2045 comprehensive plan with changes and an environmental‑justice study

The Board of Supervisors voted to adopt Henrico Next, the county’s 2045 comprehensive plan, after an extended staff presentation describing public engagement and plan components and a lengthy public hearing. Planning Director (S27) summarized a multi‑year outreach effort and said staff had incorporated Planning Commission recommendations, including removing six conceptual roads from the draft Major Thoroughfare Plan and adjusting density guidance for prime agricultural/rural conservation areas. The Planning Commission recommended removing a proposed new A2 agricultural zoning district; the board supported that approach and asked for additional study and stakeholder work on rural conservation measures.

The board also approved related zoning and subdivision ordinance amendments to align the code with the adopted plan and passed a resolution to commission an environmental justice strategy and study (agenda item 165‑26) with a deliverable to the Planning Commission and public within 12 months. During public comment residents from the Lakeside area pressed for clearer near‑term steps, not just a 20‑year vision; supervisors said they would pull the Lakeside overlay from the plan for additional community work and scheduled follow‑up stakeholder meetings.