Henrico County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Henrico County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Adoption of 2045 HenricoNext Comprehensive Plan
Henrico's long-range growth blueprint was back for continued work after being deferred from June. It guides where homes, businesses, and infrastructure go for the next two decades.
Zoning appeal of violation notices at 3401 Vawter Avenue
KGLI Properties, LLC appealed notices of zoning violation on three parcels at 3401 Vawter Avenue in East Highland Park, a light-industrial-zoned property. The board's ruling would determine whether the county's enforcement action stands.
Home-based conditional use permits
Several homeowners asked the zoning board for permission for things like backyard hens, a home daycare, accessory dwelling units, a short-term rental, and side-yard garages or storage buildings. These decisions shape what residents can do on their own residential lots.
Masonic Lodge on Bethlehem Road
A masonic lodge wants a use permit to operate on Bethlehem Road in Brookland — a semi-public use the comprehensive plan contemplates for the area.
Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance Overhaul
Two sweeping ordinance amendments would update dozens of zoning and subdivision rules, add a new A-2 Agricultural District and form-based subdistricts, and align county code with new state law. These set the rules builders and neighbors both live by.
Indoor Event Venue on Nine Mile Road
A provisional use permit would allow an indoor event venue on Nine Mile Road in Varina — a commercial use that could bring traffic and noise questions.
Zoning violation appeals on Greenwood Road
A property owner appealed two notices of violation on his A-1 zoned Greenwood Road parcels, with photos in the record showing trucks and storage on site. The board's ruling would decide whether the county's enforcement stands.
Backyard hens in Tuckahoe
Two permits were on the docket: six hens at a Fairfield home and nine dogs for one year at a Three Chopt home. Both touch on noise, odor, and animal-keeping rules in single-family neighborhoods.
Sand and gravel extraction on Strath Road, Varina
J. E. Liesfeld Contractor sought permission to mine sand and gravel on agricultural land at 8951 Strath Road. Neighbors would care about truck traffic, dust, noise, and what the land looks like afterward.
Draft 2045 Comprehensive Plan
The Commission continues working through the 2045 Comprehensive Plan update, including trends indicators, and may set a May 14 work session. This document will shape zoning and development countywide for years.
Home-based businesses and uses in residential districts
Several neighbors sought permission to run small home-based activities — a hosted short-term rental and two in-home daycares — in single-family neighborhoods. How the board rules shapes what residents can do on their own property.
Residential density and infill on Pump Road
A Tuckahoe landowner sought variances from minimum lot area and width to build a single-family home on a 0.77-acre lot in an agricultural district. Approval would allow a house where standard lot-size rules would not.
Urban agriculture in single-family neighborhoods
Two separate applicants asked to keep up to six hens in their rear yards in Tuckahoe neighborhoods. Approval would let each household keep small flocks under county rules.
Zoning enforcement appeals
Three appeals of administrative decisions and notices of violation were on the docket, including one involving an industrial-zoned property on Vawter Avenue. Outcomes determine whether alleged zoning violations stand.
Screened porch setback variance in Brookland
A Brookland homeowner sought a 12-foot reduction in the required rear yard setback to build a screened porch.
Appeal of administrative zoning decision in Meadowood
SSR, Inc., through Cortland Putbrese, challenged an administrative zoning decision on its property at 1500 Eastridge Road in the B-2 Business District. The Board's ruling could affect how that commercial property may be used.
Backyard hens in Three Chopt subdivision
A Three Chopt homeowner asked permission to keep up to six hens in an R-3 one-family neighborhood — a question of urban agriculture in established residential areas.
Restaurant and equestrian facility in Varina agricultural district
A farm owner on Darbytown Road wants county permission to run a restaurant and equestrian business on land zoned for agriculture. The hearing lets neighbors weigh in on traffic, noise, and the rural character of the area.
Crossings at Mulberry proffer amendment
The developer of the Crossings at Mulberry property on Chamberlayne Road asked to amend Proffer 28, which covers alley-served lots. A public hearing was scheduled on the request.
Varina Elderhomes rezoning at Nine Mile Road and Newbridge Road
A proposal to rezone 17.51 acres for single-family detached homes at a busy Varina intersection. The Planning Commission already recommended denial because key proffered conditions were missing, and the Board was scheduled to hold a public hearing before deciding.
Recreational structure in front and side yards
A proposal to build a padel court and pavilion in the front and side yards of an R-1 estate lot at 2 Country Squire Lane tests how much recreation development single-family zoning allows.
Short-term rental permits in residential districts
Three separate homes — in Brookland, Three Chopt, and Fairfield — were up for short-term rental permits in R-2 and R-3 single-family zones. These decisions shape whether neighbors may see rental turnover, guests, and parking on their streets.
Brow Holdings rezoning on N. Laburnum Avenue (Varina)
A 23-acre tract near N. Laburnum Avenue and Kingsridge Parkway could be rezoned for single-family homes and townhomes. The case has been delayed twice now, so neighbors will have to wait until at least April 9, 2026 to see it move forward.
Backyard hens in residential districts
Two homeowners sought permits to keep up to six hens in their rear yards — one in Hermitage Park Addition and one in the Brittany subdivision. These cases show how county zoning rules treat small-scale poultry keeping in single-family neighborhoods.
Side-yard accessory buildings and garages
Two applications asked to place detached structures — a garage and an accessory building — in side yards where the code normally restricts them. The board's handling of these cases reflects how flexible the county is on accessory structure placement.
Deep Run Roadhouse outdoor food preparation
A restaurant at John Rolfe Parkway and Ridgefield Parkway wants county permission to prepare food outdoors. The hearing would decide whether that activity is allowed on the commercially zoned corner.