2 Developers Press F.C. Council to Begin Approval Process in February

City of Falls Church:

“The developers of two major W. Broad St. projects within blocks of each other have both made it clear to the Falls Church City Council that the approval process needs to get going next month for their plans to remain viable.

Spectrum Development, having secured all the parcels adding up to a four-acre site at the northeastern corner of N. West and W. Broad Streets in Falls Church, spelled out their latest plans for the site to a meeting of the City Council’s Economic Development Committee Monday night, and said they need the Council to begin approving their project by the second week of February.

Developers of the Kensington, a proposed senior living project slated to go on the three-quarters of an acre site of the current Burger King on W. Broad, also need the Council to kick off the approval process by the end of February, as was stressed at the same committee meeting Monday. As of now, it is scheduled for a 'first reading' before the Council on February 10.

The time pressure for the Kensington is the greatest, as developers have the land under contract only until April 1, and if the plan is still uncertain by that date, the developers will have to relinquish control. That means, among other things, that the Burger King people are poised to jump on renewing a long-term lease at the site to keep it dedicated as an ungraded Burger King for decades to come. New rules requiring fast food drive-throughs to be on site no smaller than a full acre have made the current Burger King location, grandfathered in, even more valuable.”

~ Writes Nicholas F. Benton of the Falls Church News-Press

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Demolition to Begin Early March To Make Way for Harris Teeter

City of Falls Church:

“It’s only one month away now, the day every structure will be demolished at the site of the upcoming ‘flagship’ Harris Teeter grocery and 285 rental apartments on six levels above it. That means the old post office, that means the old Anthony’s Restaurant.

Rushmark Properties Developer Patrick Kearney told the monthly luncheon of the Falls Church Chamber of Commerce Tuesday that Monday, March 3 is the target date for the wrecking ball. Many Falls Church residents, recalling their many happy years of patronizing the old Anthony’s, will undoubtedly be present to pay respects, even as a new Anthony’s begins to rise a mile away at Rt. 50 at Annandale Road. The demolition date is contingent on getting the building permits that have been filed for at City Hall, but according to Kearney, there’s no reason to think there will be any delays with them.

All the news was good coming from Kearney and his colleague Stefan Gassner, including the fact that VDOT OK’d their request for a left-turn option into the project for travelers going west on W. Broad St.”

~ Writes Nicholas F. Benton of the Falls Church News-Press

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New Pantops Construction to Feature Drive-thru Coffee

Albemarle County

“Coffee drinkers may not be hard-pressed to find a fast option to get some caffeine by the end of the year. New construction on Pantops Mountain in Albemarle County will house a drive-thru Starbucks Coffee shop. The construction site is next to the Rivanna Ridge Shopping center, home to the Giant supermarket and current Starbucks store, at the intersection of Rolkin and Abbey roads.

Sources say the drive-thru coffee shop is part of the plans for that complex, which is currently a pile of dirt. Starbucks will move across the street to its new location, but there is no word on what will take the place of the coffee shop in the existing shopping center. Sketches show a few other businesses are planned for the space, but there's no official word on what they may be.

Signs posted in the area say the center will be done by the end of the year. Over the past few years, Pantops has seen a lot of development, most notably the addition of the new Martha Jefferson Hospital in 2011.”

~Writes Chris Stover of the Charlottesville Newsplex

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City Council Approves Waterfront Hotel

City of Alexandria:

“Residents remain apprehensive about a waterfront hotel in the 200 block of S. Union St., but city councilors green-lighted the project with a 6-0 vote Saturday. The five-story, 120-room boutique hotel proposed by Carr City Centers — more commonly known as Washington-based Carr Hospitality — was in the works long before officials finished crafting the controversial waterfront redevelopment plan. That roadmap explicitly calls for at least two upscale lodges along the Potomac.

While Carr representatives have spent years working with city staff on the proposal, it marks the first major project outlined in the riverside plan to receive city council’s blessing. And that has drawn scrutiny from several local officials and residents, who wanted the undertaking delayed because they believe it sets the standard for future waterfront redevelopment.

But with assurances from city preservationist Al Cox and other planning officials that the final design would undergo more revisions before construction begins, city councilors overwhelmingly backed the project. Vice Mayor Allison Silberberg, who has criticized the waterfront plan, was out of town and did not cast a vote.”

~Writes Derrick Perkins of the Alexandria Times

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County Board Approves ‘Blue Goose’ Redevelopment

Arlington County:

“The distinctive 'Blue Goose' building in Ballston is heading for the proverbial wrecking ball after the Arlington County Board approved replacing it with an office and a residential building. The Board unanimously voted to redevelop the 1963 building, allowing the developer The Shooshan Company, in partnership with Marymount University, to build a nine-story office building and a 15-story, 267-unit residential building with 11 dedicated units of affordable housing.

The entire site will sit on three levels of underground parking, with 317 office spaces and 264 residential spaces. There will also be 3,000 square feet of ground floor retail space. Marymount University will occupy the first six stories of the office building with plans to expand into the final three floors in the future. The office building will front on Fairfax Drive while the residential building will sit on the corner of Fairfax and N. Glebe Road.

In additional to the affordable housing — which includes a $275,000 donation to the Arlington Housing Investment Fund — the Shooshan Company also agreed to contribute more than $4.5 million toward the construction of a west entrance to the Ballston Metro Station and $1.15 million for improvements to the Ballston beaver pond restoration project and Custis Trail. The buildings are expected to be built to a LEED Gold environmental standard.”

~ Writes Ethan Rothstein of Arlington Now

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Richmond meeting draws stadium skeptics

City of Richmond

“The mayor’s Shockoe Bottom ballpark proposal continues to receive mixed reviews as Richmond leaders hold multiple community meetings to explain and answer questions about the proposal. About 50 people attended one of the meetings Saturday at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, some holding signs that said, ‘No stadium, yes historic district.’

The sweeping $76 million proposal — anchored by a new home for the Richmond Flying Squirrels — is three-pronged. The baseball stadium would be accompanied by a museum and other forms of commemorating the Bottom’s slave history, along with private development including apartments, a hotel and grocery store. Opposition has recently focused on making the plan work without a ballpark, but Mayor Dwight C. Jones and developers on board with his proposal have said all three pieces of the plan are essential.”

~Writes John Ramsey of the Richmond Times Dispatch

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Chesterfield planners back rezoning at Iron Bridge and Jessup roads

Chesterfield County

“The Chesterfield County Planning Commission voted Thursday to rezone 11 acres for commercial development at Iron Bridge Road and Jessup Road despite opposition from many nearby residents concerned about increased traffic and crime.

Balzer & Associates requested a zoning change from residential to community business for the site. The developer’s plans call for 9,000 square feet of retail space, a bank, a sit-down restaurant, a fast-food restaurant and a 14-pump gas station, but specific businesses have not been identified…

The county’s planning staff recommended approving the zoning change, noting that the project would support recently developed tourism and recreation facilities nearby, including the Collegiate School Aquatics Center, Ukrop Park and Mary B. Stratton Park Sports Fields. But residents who spoke at a public hearing said they oppose the plans, especially if they include fast food and a gas station.”
~Writes John Ramsey of the Richmond Times Dispatch

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Apartments to spring from Roanoke renovations

City of Roanoke

“Two dilapidated downtown Roanoke buildings are about to get a new life after years of sitting empty. John Garland, the Roanoke developer who revived 16 West Marketplace and First and Kirk lofts, plans to renovate the decaying properties at 425 Campbell Ave. and 113 Norfolk Ave. into new apartment buildings and retail spaces. Garland, a retired engineer and founder of Spectrum Design, and his two sons, Aaron and Mark Garland, purchased the three-story, 18,000-square-foot property on Campbell for $350,000 in November. For an additional $1.2 million, they plan to turn it into 16 one-bedroom apartments and four spaces that can be used for retail.

Rent will run about $695, slightly below the average price for most downtown living quarters.

‘We are trying to keep the prices affordable,’ John Garland said. ‘There is a lot going on in that area, which makes me excited.’ The new apartments will be west of downtown’s core, which has been getting more attention during Roanoke’s downtown revival in the past few years. The property is next door to the restaurant 501 Speakeasy and down the street from Beamers 25 and its accompanying upstairs lofts. The former YMCA, which is also being renovated, is right across the street.”

~Writes Tiffany Holland of the Roanoke Times

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New apartments set for Hopewell

City of Hopewell

“The development of downtown Hopewell continues with the start of the new year. Monument Companies will be coming in to potentially rehabilitate 244 E. Cawson Street by turning it into eight luxury apartments. This will add to the 24 apartments already located behind it in the Butterworth Lofts at 245 E. Broadway. The newest addition of housing stock is one step closer to changing the future of downtown Hopewell and turning it into an area for people to live, shop and dine.

The apartments at the Butterworth Lofts are 88 percent rented. The eight luxury apartments slated for Cawson Street will encompass 6,600 square feet. There is almost 4,000 square feet of retail space in the Butterworth building along with the apartments. Currently, 44 percent of the retail space is rented by James Madison University. The office space has been transformed into a distance-based learning center, which allows adults to participate in an accelerated, alternative licensure project, Middle Matters.”

~Writes Caitlin Davis of Hopewell News Patriot

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Supervisor Votes Vary On Residential Applications

Loudoun County

“County supervisors are continuing to grapple with a post-recession push for new residential development in the county and, from application to application, their votes are falling along different lines as they face different philosophical questions about their vision for the county. During last Wednesday’s meeting the board took action on three different residential applications. Each dealt with a different type of request and each had a completely different outcome.

When it came to Goose Creek Village North—the application sought to rezone 12.5-acre portion of the office park area along Belmont Ridge Road to allow the construction of 282 additional multifamily units—supervisors were almost unanimous in issuing a denial. Only Supervisor Suzanne Volpe (R-Algonkian) voted against the motion; Supervisor Ken Reid (R-Leesburg) was absent for the meeting as he recovers from surgery.”

~Writes Erika Jacobson Moore of Leesburg Today

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Apartment, Entertainment Complex Proposed In Purcellville

Town of Purcellville

“The Franklin Johnston Group last week presented its proposal for the Catoctin Creek Towne Center—a development of multi-family apartments and an entertainment and sports center on 28 acres between Maple Avenue and Hirst Road in Purcellville—before a large crowd at the Purcellville Planning Commission meeting.

The project requires a Comprehensive Plan amendment, rezoning and special use permit. Once the project has gone through the regulatory process, the Franklin Johnston Group would purchase the acreage needed for the multi-family apartment component, while Tilley Entertainment would purchase the commercial portion of the property, according to a Franklin Johnston Group representative this week.

The Virginia Beach-based apartment development group, which manages apartment communities across the country, is proposing to provide more housing for workforce employees and seniors in the town and in western Loudoun in general. Bowman Consultants land use planner Chris Mohn cited a lack of affordable housing in the town, noting it had been 12 years since an apartment had been built in town.”

~Writes Margaret Morton of Leesburg Today

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Board OKs conditional brewery rezoning

Nelson County

“After receiving approval for conditional rezoning of an adjacent parcel of land, Blue Mountain Brewery in Afton is a step closer to being able to use the land for brewery-related activities. At its meeting Jan. 14, the Nelson County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to approve an application from Taylor Smack, the owner of Blue Mountain Brewery, for the conditional rezoning from residential to agriculture of a 2.4-acre property that is adjacent to the existing brewery site...

‘As a piece of Blue Mountain property, it’s just not going to make a lot of sense to have it zoned [residential], no matter what,’ Smack said. He said the property potentially could be used for several things, such as landscaping, growing more hops, installing a wedding pergola, adding parking and building an events facility, but ‘it’s a little bit up in the air.’...

The next step for the brewery is to get a special-use permit for an approximately 5,000-square-foot events center, and, once that is obtained, officials can move on to the review of a major site plan. Currently, the brewery has submitted a minor ‘thin-bones’ site plan, Smack said.”

~Writes Katherine Lacaze of the Nelson County Times

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Planning Commission recommends denial of rezoning in Dahlgren

King George County

“The King George Planning Commission last week voted unanimously to recommend that the Board of Supervisors deny a current rezoning request under consideration in Dahlgren. The case involves a request to rezone 6.75 acres on U.S. 301 (James Madison Pkwy). The Commission reconsidered the case at its meeting last week on Jan. 14.

The recommendation followed lively discussion with participation by several of the ten Planning Commissioners, with comments basically distilled by those from Bill Robie and Gary Kendrick. The revised rezoning request includes amendments to the proffer statement from what was originally proposed last month, with newly-revised development plan drawings distributed.

Those two documents shed light on a new proffer that would prohibit five commercial uses including repair facility, boat sales, contractors equipment yard, commercial garage, and commercial parking lot.”

~Writes The Journal

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Controversial NK subdivision project back for consideration

New Kent County

“Developers are back in New Kent seeking the go-ahead for a controversial housing/commercial project that has been lingering somewhat in limbo since first pitched to county officials back in 2006.

This time, however, the company behind Liberty Landing, a mixed-use development proposed for 113 acres on the south side of Route 60 across from the Five Lakes subdivision near Bottoms Bridge, is lowering the housing density.

Just over a year ago in 2012, Virginia Beach-based Boyd Homes (Bridgewater Crossing Inc.) submitted a proposal for a maximum of 608 housing units (344 townhouses, 264 apartments). Now the company has reduced the maximum number of units to 450.

The company had been scheduled to offer a power-point presentation to New Kent’s Planning Commission during the group’s Tuesday meeting, but a snowy forecast forced postponement until the commission’s next monthly meeting on Feb. 18. A public hearing could take place at the March meeting.

The developer is seeking R-3 multi-family residential zoning on the 113 acres in order to pave the way for Liberty Landing. The land is currently zoned for business.

Although public hearings concerning the project have taken place in the past, substantial revisions in Boyd Homes’ latest proposal are prompting a new round, county planning manager Kelli LeDuc said last week. Topping the list of changes is the reduction in proposed housing density. The 450 units are to be a combination of townhouses and apartments, but so far developers have not provided a breakdown of each, LeDuc said.”

~Writes Alan Chamberlain of The Chronicle

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‘Blue Goose’ Redevelopment Includes Funds for Pond, Custis Trail, Metro Entrance

Arlington County

“The developer that plans to demolish the “Blue Goose” building in Ballston has agreed to contribute more than $6 million to community improvements for the Ballston area. The proposed site plan amendment for the project will go before the Arlington County Board at its meeting this Saturday, Jan. 25. The Shooshan Company hopes to bulldoze the distinctive blue building at the corner of Fairfax Drive and N. Glebe Road and replace it with a nine-story office building — to be used to house the Marymount University programs now in the Blue Goose — and a 15-story residential high-rise.”

~Writes Ethan Rothstein of Arlington Now

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Community Input Sought On Lovettsville Equestrian Facility Plans

Lovettsville

“The Loudoun County Equine Alliance will hold an informational meeting Monday, Jan. 27 to discuss plans for the proposed equestrian facilities at Lovettsville Park.

This meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Morven Park International Equestrian Center, 41793 Tutt Lane, near Leesburg and is open to anyone who wants to have input into the design of the park. The county’s 91-acre Lovettsville Park is bordered by Broad Way and Milltown Road east of the Lovettsville Community Center. Ten acres of the park have been designated equestrian uses. The LCEA is soliciting feedback on preliminary designs, as well as additional input for any needs not previously addressed.”

~Writes Leesburg Today

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Commission balks again at Meadowbrook Flats development

City of Charlottesville

“For the second time in three months, members of the Charlottesville Planning Commission have not looked favorably upon a proposal to redevelop the southeast corner of Emmet Street and Barracks Road. Developer William Park requested a deferral of the design review for the latest version of Meadowbrook Flats after it appeared the commission would not recommend approval.

The commission doubles as the city’s Entrance Corridor Review Board, which grants certificates of appropriateness for projects along ‘designated significant routes of tourist access,’ according to the city’s website. Meadowbrook Flats would be in a entrance corridor.”

~Writes Sean Tubbs of Charlottesville Tomorrow

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City Planning Commission recommends new homes along Water Street extended

City of Charlottesville

“A plan to build two dozen homes between downtown Charlottesville and Carlton Avenue along Water Street Extended received support from the Charlottesville Planning Commission. If a rezoning is granted for the Water Street Promenade by the City Council, Riverbend Development would be able to build nine more homes than the 15 allowed by-right.

'We tried to design this to look something like the Fan in Richmond and not have a suburban product,' said Riverbend’s president, Alan Taylor. 'The lot width in the [current zoning] is 50 feet. These lot widths are going to be between 35 to 38 feet, and we just thought it was a more urban product.'

Plans for the site include 24 three-story houses, each with a basement and garage, the donation of the historic Coal Tower to the city, and public open space surrounding the tower.”

~Writes Effie Nicholaou of Charlottesville Tomorrow

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The Case for Phase 2 of Long Bridge Park

Arlington County

“News that rising cost estimates and construction bids have put the Long Bridge Park aquatics center in danger of being downsized or scrapped has been gleefully seized upon by critics of the planned facility this week.

With construction bids well exceeding the $80 million projected cost — of just the first phase of the aquatics and fitness center project, also referred to as Phase 2 of Long Bridge Park — critics says it’s too grand a project for Arlington County, with its eroding commercial tax base. However, supporters say it’s well worth the investment.”

~Writes Arlington Now

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Construction of hotels and restaurant at Huff Lane site could begin soon

City of Roanoke

“Construction on the site of the former Huff Lane Intermediate School could begin soon. According to city records, the site plan it broken down into three parcels. Two hotels and one restaurant are expected to build on the land. City planners said both hotels are expected to be 5 stories. One hotel is projected to have 107 rooms while the other will have 110. Records show the space for the restaurant is more than 5800 square feet. City planners said developers have applied for a demolition permit and it all goes well project plans could be approved by the end of January.

‘Developers are working to get all the permits and planning reviews in line so they can move on with the project’ said Chris Chittum. ‘We expect them to begin demolition and grading on that project very soon.’ City planners said there is nothing in the site plan that indicates a name of the hotels or the restaurant.”

~Writes Brie Jackson of WSLS 10

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Purcellville Council Overturns Restrictions On Vineyard Square Project

Town of Purcellville

“Following a sometimes raucous public comment session Tuesday night, the Purcellville Town Council approved the appeal by the developers of the proposed Vineyard Square downtown redevelopment project who challenged a number of design conditions imposed by the town’s Board of Architectural Review.

The council voted 6-1 to approve the appeal, with Councilman Patrick McConville opposed. Councilman Tom Priscilla made the motion to modify conditions imposed by the BAR, notably, a height restriction on the structure planned at the corner of O and North 21st streets. The motion also reversed the BAR’s elimination of several design features.

Overwhelmingly, the tone of public comment was strongly opposed to the design of the redevelopment—although not to the concept of redevelopment in the area, which many approved as a way to bring vitality back to the downtown. Only one person spoke in favor of the project as presented.”

~Writes Margaret Morton of Leesburg Today

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Planning Commission supports third West Main student complex

City of Charlottesville

“The Charlottesville Planning Commission has voted to recommend approval of a special-use permit for 1000 W. Main St., the third high-density, mixed-use residential complex in the works for that area. Concerns about the project’s impact and whether the market exists for additional housing for University of Virginia students along West Main drove discussion past midnight and into early Wednesday morning. The first student housing project nearby, the Flats at West Village, is leased to a 9-percent occupancy rate for its opening in August.”

~Writes Maggie Ambrose of Charlottesville Tomorrow

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Daleville Town Center growing quickly

Botetourt County

“The development of a portion of Botetourt County is taking an important step forward. Recently the Daleville Town Center opened the doors on a new apartment complex, the first in the county. The first of four buildings is now open to renters with the second expected to open before spring. It's an important step for an area that's seen its fair share of struggles over the last few years.

‘We really do see things coming together in a real positive way here,’ said Fralin & Waldrin Vice President of Development Steve Claytor, the company that owns and operates the town center. ‘Certainly to be able to get our financing in place for this apartment component of Daleville Town Center.’

25 percent of the soon to be 120 unit complex are rented. Claytor said they are also looking to bring in more businesses and a second restaurant to the town center.”

~Writes Aaron Martin of WSLS 10

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Has D.C.'s sluggish office market shifted investors toward retail?

Northern Virginia

“Could the D.C. region’s sputtering office market be fueling investor interest in shopping centers and other non-office properties? The sale of a pair of Northern Virginia retail sites could be the leading edge of that trend, according to Eastdil Secured Managing Director John Kevill. Eastdil recently brokered the sale of Sterling Plaza and Sterling Plaza II for $26.5 million, as well as the Lake Montclair Center in Prince William County for $19.2 million.”

~Writes Daniel J. Sernovitz of the Washington Business Journal

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Supervisors unanimously OK Dollar General in Catlett

Fauquier County

“Fauquier’s supervisors last week quickly and unanimously approved rezoning for construction of a Dollar General store in Catlett. The Tennessee-based company hopes to open the store — along the west side of Route 28, just north of the village’s main intersection — by late this year. Construction of the 9,100-square-foot store required rezoning the land from residential to commercial use.”

~Writes Fauquier Now

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Waynesboro Place Development Crops Up Near I-64

City of Waynesboro

“For years, planners in Waynesboro have known that their growth zone was going to be outside of the old downtown and near Interstate 64. Now they're seeing that come to life with some up-and-coming construction projects.

A partnership between a construction company and a real estate firm will add a whole new dimension of economic opportunity to a quickly growing part of the city. Imagine a luxury apartment community topped off with a pool and walking trail, along with new shops on Windigrove Drive, and you get Waynesboro Place. The concept is a little unconventional for the city, but developers say they're tapping into an unmet market…

The vision is to reel in increasing demand from young professionals and empty-nesters for a higher-end pad. Yagel is supervising that project as part of the partnership between Charlottesville-based Pinnacle Construction and Triangle Realtors.”
~Reports NBC29

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New Lowes Store, Microbrewery Policies To Get Leesburg Council Hearing

Leesburg

“The Leesburg Town Council plans three public hearings Tuesday night, including plans for a new Lowes Home Improvements Center and a proposal to make it easier to establish microbreweries in town.

The application to build a new Lowes store on 27 acres at the southeast quadrant of the East Market Street/Battlefield Parkway intersection has been recommended for approval by the town Planning Commission following two months of review. The land was rezoned in 1991 for development of a multi-dealership autopark, a project that never gained traction. Lowes plans a 152,000-square-foot lumber and building materials store along with a truck rental area and outdoor storage. The application also includes 84,000 square feet of retail space and at least 36,000 square feet of office development that could be developed in the future…

Also on the agenda is a council-initiated plan to allow small microbreweries —those producing up to 5,000 barrels per year—by right in the town’s B-1, B-2, B-3 and B-4 zoning districts, including downtown. The by-right businesses would be permitted to have tasting rooms, but would not operate as a restaurant like brewpubs. Larger microbreweries also are permitted, but require special exception review.”

~Writes Leesburg Today

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Salem City Council delays vote on rezoning

City of Salem

“The Salem City Council opted not to paint itself into a corner with a hasty decision regarding a rezoning request Monday night. The council decided to delay a vote that would allow a warehouse and office for a local painting company be built in a residential neighborhood.

Two residents spoke against Irvin and Jonny Jean Webster’s request to rezone the lot they own at 429 South Market Street from residential single family to highway business district, which would allow them to build a 1,000-square-foot metal building for their painting company. The Websters’ request had already been recommended for approval by the Planning Commission, but the council members decided to continue the public hearing to the Jan. 27 meeting after hearing from nearby residents who had concerns about a warehouse being constructed on a residential street. Some council members echoed those concerns.”

~Writes Ralph Berrier of the Roanoke Times

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Fredericksburg considers traffic circle on Lafayette Boulevard

City of Fredericksburg

“Fredericksburg will be on its way to getting a roundabout on Lafayette Boulevard if City Council grants a rezoning request for the Telegraph Hill development on Tuesday.

The council is expected to approve a request to rezone nearly 22 acres along Lafayette across from Lee Drive, the entrance to the Fredericksburg battlefield. The zoning would change from light industrial, general industrial and residential to planned mixed-use development. That would enable Fredericksburg LLC to combine that property with an adjoining 24 acres to create Telegraph Hill, a town-center-style development that would include commercial, retail and residential units.”

~Writes Pamela Gould of The Free Lance–Star

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Apartment complex coming up in Waynesboro

City of Waynesboro

“More than three years after the city approved an ambitious, mixed-use development plan for the West End, construction is set to begin on the first residential buildings for Waynesboro Place. The developer has built an extension to Windigrove Drive past The Home Depot that dead-ends on the construction site, which will host the first phase of the the project — a 243-unit apartment complex. Those rental buildings are slated to be the first of many to go up, said Greg Hitchin, Waynesboro’s director of economic development…

Waynesboro Place was approved in 2010 to include 38,500 square feet of office space to be built in the early part of the development. A later phase is to include 6,200 square feet in retail, restaurant and office uses, plus another 120,000 square feet to be designated for retail.

To get the plan approved over some objection from nearby residents, the builder agreed to road improvements expected to ease traffic congestion from the Interstate 64 interchange to Rosser Avenue. A connecting road to the adjacent, existing neighborhood has already been paved, though it’s not yet open to traffic.”

~Writes Calvin Trice of the newsletter.com

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Fauquier board probably will OK “Opal Gateway”

Fauquier County

“A large commercial development at Opal seems destined to win the Fauquier supervisors’ approval. After the five-member board’s third public hearing on “Opal Gateway,” the proposal got a potentially-decisive statement of support Thursday night.

Supervisor Chris Granger (Center District) joined Lee Sherbeyn (Cedar Run District) and Chester Stribling (Lee District), who previously said they would vote for the rezoning.”

~Writes Lawrence Emerson of Faquier Now

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Hampton may give $428,000 to developer for 'science park'

Hampton

“A Raleigh, N.C.-based developer who has already sown roots here may receive a $428,000 grant to construct five office buildings in the Hampton Roads Center North campus. The mix of public dollars and private development aims to create a cluster of science-based, high-tech companies on the campus just off Magruder Boulevard, Hampton Economic Development Director Leonard Sledge said. The City Council is expected to discuss the proposal – already backed by the Economic Development Authority – during its Wednesday evening meeting.”

~Writes Robert Brauchle of the Daily Press

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Loudoun Supervisors Weigh Two Residential Rezoning Requests

Loudoun County

“Another residential development application is facing the prospect of a denial vote from a Board of Supervisors that made clear its disinterest in approving another batch of houses that will require services provided by taxpayers for years to come.

Despite receiving support from some of the surrounding property owners, The Greens South at Willowsford project—which would increase the number of houses allowed on a 737-acre tract in the county’s Transition Policy Area from 245 to 802—did not find many backers on the board during Wednesday night’s public hearing. Supervisors will take final action on the application Feb. 5, but several said they would not vote in favor of the proposal, citing concerns with the proffer package and potential transportation impacts. County staff members estimated an additional 4,735 daily trips if the rezoning is approved.

Willowsford’s developer is proffering a 21-acre elementary school site—although supervisors noted a high school is what is needed in the area—a 60-acre public park and tomake 350 of its units age-restricted. For transportation, the developer has proposed to build two southbound lanes of Northstar Boulevard, Grassland Grove Drive along the front of the development, and dedicate right-of-way to make Northstar Boulevard six lanes, among others.”

~Writes Erika Jacobson Moore of Leesburg Today

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Tobacco Commission panel takes no action on The Falls funding request

City of Bristol 

“No action was taken Monday on requests by Bristol, Va., officials to the Executive Committee of the Virginia Tobacco Commission to change the way in which $5.5 million could be paid to help finance construction on The Falls retail development.

Assistant City Manager Andrew Trivette stood before the committee at its Monday night meeting to ask that it change the Tobacco Region Opportunity Fund grant of $5.5 million already pledged to the city, to give the money directly to the city to help pay the third installment on its construction contract.

The agreement that was approved by the commission in May 2013 — and still stands, based on the committee’s inaction — provides that if the legislation currently before the General Assembly to allow sales tax revenues to be made available to the city as each phase of The Falls is completed, rather than upon completion of the total project, is approved, the commission doesn’t pay anything to the city.”

~Writes Allie Robinson Gibson of the Bristol Herald Courier

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Developer proposing to breathe new life into Maidstone at New Kent Courthouse

New Kent County

“A Richmond developer is proposing to revitalize a village development at New Kent Courthouse that has remained stagnant since undergoing bankruptcy and foreclosure proceedings two years ago. The Maidstone development, part of the New Kent Courthouse Village project, had its beginnings nearly 10 years ago as the brainchild of county resident John Crump. His ambitious plan for housing and commercial development progressed slowly before taking a sharp downturn when the economic recession struck in 2008…

Now, Richmond-based Maidstone Group LLC, headed by developer John Adamson, is stepping in. County circuit court records reveal the group bought the residential component for $350,000 from Colonial Virginia on Nov. 1 with deed transfer occurring on Nov. 4. Then on Dec. 13, the group completed purchase of Maidstone’s commercial component from Essex Bank for $1,125,000. The deed transfer was recorded in county circuit court on Dec. 30. Crump, meanwhile, said he has conferred with Adamson and expressed delight that the new developer plans to continue with the traditional English village concept for Maidstone.”

~Writes Alan Chamberlain of The Chronicle

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Crowd skeptical of ballpark plan at public meeting

City of Richmond

“When the crowd at Tuesday night’s ballpark meeting was asked to use electronic clickers to vote on the most positive aspect of the redevelopment plan for Shockoe Bottom and the Boulevard, the top answer, at 36 percent, was none of the above. In second place, at 26 percent, was the proposed historic commemoration of the Bottom’s slave trade. The ballpark came in third, at 21 percent.

The result may have, in part, been a verdict on the limited polling format rather than the plan itself, but the vote capped off another night of questioning on the wide-ranging development proposal from a skeptical crowd of about 75.”

~Writes Graham Moomaw of the Richmond Times Dispatch

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Public Hearing Scheduled Today for Lightfoot Marketplace Proposal

James City County

“Pending a decision from the James City County Planning Commission today, the Williamsburg Outlet Mall could move closer to demolition. The commissioners will consider whether to recommend to the Board of Supervisors approval of a special use permit that would allow Lightfoot Marketplace — a planned development for retail and office use — to be constructed as currently proposed in the location where the outlet mall currently stands.

Lightfoot Marketplace would include a Harris Teeter and Walgreens, other retail stores and restaurants in a group of six buildings at 6401 Richmond Road — the intersection of Richmond and Centerville roads. Before Lightfoot Marketplace could be built, the project needs a special use permit from the county because the building area exceeds 10,000 square feet.”

~Writes Brittany Voll of the Williamsburg Yorktown Daily

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Waterfront Hotel Forges Ahead

City of Alexandria

“The first major project envisioned by the controversial waterfront redevelopment plan cleared its first hurdle Tuesday night, receiving the planning commission’s approval — but with a few caveats.

Designed by Carr City Centers — better known as Carr Hospitality, the Washington-based company behind the renovation of the Willard Hotel — the proposal would see a 120-room boutique hotel rise up five stories in the 200 block of S. Union St. Though city leaders have long targeted the block for redevelopment, planning commissioners had given Carr’s latest proposal a lukewarm reception.”
~Writes Derrick Perkins of the Alexandria Times

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Shockoe Ballpark Critics Offer a Different Plan

City of Richmond

“Opponents of the plan to build a baseball stadium in Shockoe Bottom have released an alternative proposal they say would allow development to occur while substituting a memorial park for a stadium. The plan, produced by a group of opponents, is designed to allow for the addition of a hotel, grocery store, office space, apartments and a parking deck while ‘allowing the city to avoid the embarrassment of desecrating a site increasingly recognized as completely inappropriate for a ballpark.’”

~Writes Graham Moodmaw of the Richmond Times Dispatch

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Commission Greenlights Proffers Exception for Harper’s Mill

Chesterfield County

“A request to change the terms of a major subdivision’s zoning conditions got speedy backing from the Planning Commission despite county staff’s recommendation to deny the request over the issue of cash proffers.

The developers of the 1,100- acre, 2,400-home Harper’s Mill community off Otterdale Road south of U.S. Route 360 have applied to change the conditions included in the original 2003 zoning case. The vast majority of the subdivision, 993 acres, has yet to be developed. Developer Mark Sowers and a company he’s affiliated with, HMG Investments, are attempting to change the timing and terms of some road improvements and to make some technical changes regarding setbacks and other conditions.

Planning Department staff indicated in a report that they had no opposition to those requests. But Sowers was also asking to keep the project’s cash proffers at the level set in 2003, and planning staffers said that request went against county policy. While the other changes are acceptable, according to the staff report, the proffer request ‘exceeds the Board [of Supervisors’] five-year time limitation to consider such requests.’”

~Writes Michael Buettner Chesterfield Observer

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Clock's Ticking on Boat Club Negotiations

City of Alexandria

“After initially keeping quiet on the status of negotiations for the Old Dominion Boat Club’s waterfront parking lot, city officials have lifted — ever so slightly — the veil of silence.

A city spokesman has confirmed that talks for the coveted shoreline parcel are underway. After years of on-again, off-again negotiations, Mayor Bill Euille made it clear in the fall that City Hall would use eminent domain to secure the land if an agreement remained elusive much longer.

Following a lengthy November public hearing on the topic, city councilors opted to extend talks for a further 90 days, with the option of eminent domain still on the table if negotiations break down again. Officials want to turn the parking lot into a waterfront plaza and use nearby club property for flood-mitigation efforts.”
~Writes Derrick Perkins of the Alexandria Times

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Colonial Heights Council Rejects Boulevard land swap with developer

City of Colonial Heights

“City Council rejected a proposal that could have opened up a prime location at the southern end of the Boulevard for development. But the majority of council members said it was a bad deal for the city. At its regular council meeting in December, council discussed the possibility of a land swap between the city and A+ Properties Inc. The discussion was intended to get council’s input on how to proceed.

The scenario considered by council would have swapped a city-owned 0.752-acre property on the Boulevard on the south side of Archer Avenue with a 50-foot permanent easement across a 4.078-acre property owned by A+ Properties just to the west and $10,000 in cash. The easement would run along the river and would allow the city to complete a key part of the Appomattox River Greenway Trail and have it run all the way to Appamatuck Park.”

~Writes James Peacemaker Jr. of the Hopewell News Patriot

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