Henrico County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Henrico County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Short-term rental permits in residential districts
A homeowner on Omega Road asked to rent her dwelling as a short-term rental, a use that requires a conditional use permit under county code.
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.
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.
Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance Overhaul
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.
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.
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.
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.
Indoor Event Venue on Nine Mile Road
Whitehead & Chiocca Properties wants a permit for an indoor event venue on Nine Mile Road in Varina, with conditions meant to protect nearby uses.
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.
Adoption of 2045 HenricoNext Comprehensive Plan
The county's new long-range land-use plan was up for public hearing and possible adoption. It guides what can be built where for the next 20 years.
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.
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.
Draft 2045 Comprehensive Plan
The county's long-range blueprint for growth, land use and infrastructure got a full hour of Board attention. It shapes what can be built where for years to come.
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 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
A Deer Lodge homeowner wanted to keep six hens in her rear yard, but the proposed coop spot didn't meet the 50-foot rear setback, and staff recommended deferral. It's part of a broader question about small-scale animal keeping in residential 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.
Bon Secours St. Mary's parking lot rezone
The hospital wants to rezone 1.6 acres at Maple Avenue and Paxton Street for a parking lot. Neighbors may care about traffic and how office use fits a mostly residential area.
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.
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.