Henrico County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Henrico County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
FY 2026-27 Annual Fiscal Plan Amendments
Budget season kicked off: the County Manager's proposed operating and capital budgets were set to be received, with a budget hearing March 24 and a tax rate hearing April 14. Residents get their chance to weigh in before adoption.
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.
PFAS Discharge Monitoring and Sewer Investment
A proposed ordinance would raise water and sewer charges effective July 1. A typical household using 10 CCF of water per two months would pay about $7.70 more per cycle — roughly 13 cents a day — to fund operations, debt service, and water and sewer capital projects.
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.
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.
Salary Increases for HCPS Employees
A resolution would appropriate funding for salary increases for all Henrico County Public Schools employees in the FY2026-27 budget.
Townhomes on Pouncey Tract Road (REZ-2025-103169)
Bacova Development Company is asking to rezone nearly 10 acres on Pouncey Tract Road from agricultural zoning to conditional general residence zoning for townhomes. The 2026 Comprehensive Plan recommends Suburban Mixed Use for the area, which is somewhat compatible with the request.
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 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.
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.
Enhanced hazardous duty benefits for EMTs
The county was set to vote on enhanced hazardous duty benefits for emergency medical technicians — a workforce and compensation matter for EMS personnel.
Westwood mixed-use development with multifamily housing
Spy Rock Real Estate Group wants a provisional use permit to build a mixed-use project with apartments at Westmoreland and Jacque streets. The site is zoned light industrial and the comprehensive plan recommends heavy industry, so approval would mean redirecting that industrial area toward housing and mixed use. It sits in the Westwood Redevelopment Overlay District.
Westwood Sewage Pumping Station Replacement
A nearly $24 million contract to build a new Westwood sewage pumping station, paid from water and sewer revenues rather than general taxes.
FY 2026-27 through FY 2035-36 Capital Improvement Program
The Commission was set to line up a public hearing on the county's ten-year capital spending plan, which shapes future roads, schools, parks, and utilities. The hearing would be March 12, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
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.
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.
Tax Refund
Henrico County is giving back extra personal property tax cash because officials realize that money belongs in your pocket, not the government's. It's a nice little financial win for local taxpayers who overpaid.
Environmental Lawsuit
Henrico County is getting sued over recurring sewage leaks flowing straight into the James River. Local taxpayers are likely on the hook for some serious bills to fix up the aging infrastructure and settle the legal trouble.