Henrico County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Henrico County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Opioid abatement funding
The Board was scheduled to review grants from the Opioid Abatement Authority, which fund opioid response and recovery efforts in the county.
Marijuana sales tax and public-use restrictions
The commission was to discuss drafting zoning rules to implement Virginia's Cannabis Control Act and to clarify Form Based Overlay standards — rules that will shape where cannabis businesses can operate countywide.
Fall Line Trail Longdale Phase easement acquisition
The County asked to condemn right-of-way at 1574 Mountain Road to build the Longdale Phase of the Fall Line Trail.
Affordable homes through Maggie Walker Community Land Trust
A $500,000 county grant would help the land trust buy 20 Arcadia homes and sell them to buyers earning up to 115% of area median income.
Three Chopt Road improvements
A $45.5 million contract with Shirley Contracting was scheduled for consideration to improve Three Chopt Road, one of the county's biggest road investments on the agenda.
Setback and lot-area variances countywide
Four homeowners asked the Board for relief from rear yard setback and street frontage rules to build additions, porches, and a sunroom, and in one case a house on a lot with no street frontage. These small-scale requests decide whether the families can proceed with their projects.
Accessory dwelling units in Tuckahoe and Brookland
Three separate cases asked to create small second dwellings — a garage conversion, a pool house conversion, and a proposed detached unit. ADUs are a growing tool for housing aging parents or adding rental capacity, and all three sat in single-family districts.
Backyard hens in Winterberry
A resident of Keelwood Court asked to keep two hens in the rear yard of an R-3C zoned home, a use requiring a conditional use permit.
Residential development proposals in Brookland district
Spy Rock Real Estate Group's permit request would bring multifamily housing and mixed uses to a light-industrial parcel near Westmoreland and Jacque streets, in the Westwood Redevelopment Overlay.
OP Holdings Osborne Turnpike event space and outdoor recreation
Whitehead & Chiocca Properties wants a permit for an indoor event venue on Nine Mile Road in Varina, with conditions meant to protect nearby uses.
Board Meeting Recap
Henrico County's latest board meeting was all about community and connectivity, celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Month and greenlighting a contract to build the new Lakeside Community Trail.
AED program update
The county's automated external defibrillator program was set for an update — relevant to sudden cardiac emergency response in public spaces.
Single-family rezone in Varina
A 2.5-acre parcel at Willson and Messer Roads would shift from agricultural to conditional single-family residential, within the Airport Safety Overlay District.
Surveillance Technology
Richmond is dropping its controversial Flock surveillance cameras once the current contract expires, though the incoming mayor is already eyeing alternative tech replacements. If you care about privacy versus public safety on city streets, you'll want to watch what kind of tracking tools they bring in next.
Road project condemnation resolutions
The County needs easements at 8800 Trolley Lane for a road realignment but can't get clear title from the Jones estates' heirs, so it asked to start condemnation while still pursuing a voluntary deal.
Community Forum
Henrico County is hosting a one-stop community forum where residents can learn about the local budget, register to vote, and check out senior resources. It’s an easy, all-in-one spot to get your civic questions answered and plug into what's happening locally.
Constituent Meeting
Henrico County's Fairfield District is hosting an upcoming community meeting on October 15. It's a quick way to learn about older adult resources, register to vote, and figure out where your tax dollars actually go.
Surveillance Technology Contract
Henrico County pulled the plug on its Flock Safety contract after privacy backlash, meaning those controversial license plate-reading cameras are officially getting removed. If you care about who's tracking your daily commute, this is a major win for local data privacy.
Police Surveillance Technology
Henrico Police just cut ties with Flock Safety cameras due to data privacy concerns, taking away a major tool used to track vehicles across the county. While privacy advocates are celebrating, law enforcement is now operating without a prominent surveillance system they previously relied on.
Surveillance Technology Policy
Henrico County is ditching its Flock traffic cameras after residents raised serious privacy red flags. If you care about who's tracking your daily commute, this is a major win for local data privacy.
Historic Preservation
Henrico is building the New Market Heights Trail right on time for the battlefield's 162nd anniversary, giving everyone a cool new way to check out local history while getting outside. It's a great blend of outdoor recreation and remembering an important piece of our past.
Fire Investigations
Henrico officials updated the Board of Supervisors on the ongoing fire investigations at the Darby House and SwimRVA-North. They stressed that investigators are prioritizing a thorough, careful process over rushing to a quick conclusion.
Acceptance of Dumbarton Plaza Road
The Board was scheduled to accept a short section of Dumbarton Plaza in the Brookland District into the county road system, making the county responsible for maintaining it.
FY 2026-27 Annual Fiscal Plan Amendments
The Board was scheduled to consider a resolution appropriating funds for the new fiscal year, which underpins county services and spending.
East End Water Extension
The Board was scheduled for a work session update on the East End water extension project, which affects water service for that part of the county.
Stormwater Grant Applications for Stream Restoration
The county was set to buy land at 11490 Greenwood Road for drainage and flood mitigation — a stormwater investment in the Brookland District.
Industrial rezoning on Pocahontas Parkway (Ace Investments)
A 73.6-acre site near Monahan Road could become conditional general industrial with outdoor storage and office uses, in the Airport Safety Overlay District. It affects nearby residents concerned about traffic and land use along the parkway corridor.
Kennel rezoning at Springfield Church Lane and Tom Leonard Drive
Dexstar LLC seeks to rezone 1.03 acres in the West Broad corridor to allow a kennel. Nearby businesses and residents would be affected by the change from the existing conditional business zoning.
Drive-through restaurant at S. Laburnum Avenue and Finlay Street
Cornerstone Midlothian wants to convert a 0.59-acre office-zoned corner into a drive-through restaurant with extended hours, near residential areas and within the Airport Safety Overlay District. Neighbors would weigh traffic, noise, and late-hours effects.
SAFE High Speed Driving Program
The Board was scheduled to get an afternoon briefing on the SAFE High Speed Driving Program, aimed at curbing dangerous street racing and high-speed driving.
Trucking and outdoor storage facility in Varina
DRB III Trucking's rezoning would allow outdoor storage and trailer parking on 5.9 acres at Darbytown and Miller roads, in the Airport Safety Overlay.
Mount Olive Avenue realignment easements
Resolutions 201-26 and 202-26 would condemn easements at 8825 and 8831 Trolley Lane for the Mount Olive Avenue Realignment Project in the Fairfield District.
Private school on former industrial land in Fairfield
Imago Dei School's conditional rezoning would convert 8.86 acres of industrial land at Dill Road and Vawter Avenue to residential zoning for a private school.
PFAS Discharge Monitoring and Sewer Investment
A contract award to replace variable frequency drives at the County's water treatment facility — the kind of unglamorous work that keeps taps running.
Data Center Development
Henrico is dealing with a major surge in public pushback over new data centers, leaving city leaders struggling to figure out fair zoning rules. Residents are worried about the heavy toll these massive facilities take on local resources, making it a hot-button local issue.
Returned payment fees and cash rounding
A code update would align returned-payment service charges with new state law and let the County round cash payments up or down now that pennies are no longer produced.
Countywide street preservation contracts
Two contract awards would keep countywide road maintenance going: slurry seal work by Slurry Pavers and asphalt paving and planing by Colony Construction and Finley Asphalt.
Tuckahoe Park design services contract amendment
The Tuckahoe Park bond project would add fully accessible restrooms, an accessible community playground, trails, a pedestrian bridge, and improved parking. Work is expected to start September 2026 and take about 515 days.
Ace Investments 73-acre industrial rezoning deferred
A large 73.7-acre industrial rezoning along Pocahontas Parkway was set to be pushed to September 10, delaying any decision on outdoor storage and office uses there.
Industrial outdoor storage at Darbytown and Miller roads
DRB III Trucking wants to run outdoor storage and trailer parking on nearly 6 acres in Varina. The commission itself asked to postpone the decision to August 13, so neighbors have more time.
Crown Castle wireless tower height increase (withdrawn)
Crown Castle wanted to replace a wireless tower near Gaskins Road and Stoneridge Lane and raise it from 85 to 155 feet in a residential area — but the request was withdrawn before the hearing.
Retail rezoning at Magellan Parkway and Brook Road
A small lot at Magellan Parkway and Brook Road would shift to business zoning for general retail — though a deferral to August 13 was requested.
Imago Dei School conditional rezone for private school
A private school wants to rezone 8.86 acres at Dill Road and Vawter Avenue from industrial to residential zoning. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval; a deferral to September 8 had been requested, so the Board's decision may wait.
Beckley Road conservation-to-agricultural rezone
Beckley Bluford Investment, LLC seeks to rezone 26.4 acres on Beckley Road in Varina from conservation to agricultural zoning. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval.
Affordable housing easement at 3900 Nine Mile Road
The Board was asked to sign an easement agreement supporting Richmond Affordable Housing on Nine Mile Road in Varina.
St. Joseph Villa update
An afternoon briefing on the St. Joseph Villa property was scheduled for the Board.
Residential development review update
An afternoon briefing on the County's residential development review process was scheduled.
Masonic lodge provisional use permit
The Richmond Lodge of Perfection wants a permit to operate a masonic lodge on Bethlehem Road in the Brookland District. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval.
Surplus property sale at 2510 Hartman Street
The County proposed declaring a Fairfield District property surplus and selling it.
Varina on the James Phase I contract
A contract award for Phase I of the Varina on the James project, a major waterfront development in eastern Henrico.