Henrico County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Henrico County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
PFAS Discharge Monitoring and Sewer Investment
Ordinance 194-26 updates the county's sewer-use rules with new maximum discharge limits and, for the first time, PFAS (so-called 'forever chemicals') discharge monitoring. It affects industrial and commercial users connected to county sewer.
Energy Conservation
AI data centers are gobbling up so much electricity that Henrico County is asking schools and local businesses to dial back their power use. If you live here, expect a heavier strain on the local grid and likely higher monthly utility bills.
Data Center Energy Impact
Henrico brought in a bunch of data centers, but now the local schools are dimming their lights just to pay the massive electricity bills. It's a classic case of tech boom perks coming with unexpected neighborhood pain.
Vacuum leaf collection fees
The county is moving to set fees for its vacuum leaf collection service through an amendment to Section 17-59 of the Code. Residents who use the service would pay a defined fee.