Four zoning items that the Midlothian Business Alliance said may impact the Midlothian area came before Chesterfield County in late July 2021. The Planning Commission was set to hear Gray Westchester, LLC (21SN0566), 1224 Crowder Drive (21SN0570) and 1200 Alverser Plaza (21SN0629) at its meeting on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, and the Board of Supervisors was set to take up the Midlothian Special Design District (20PJ0121) at its meeting on Wednesday, July 28.
At a glance
What: Three rezoning and conditional use cases before the Planning Commission, plus the Midlothian Special Design District before the Board of Supervisors
Who: Gray Westchester, LLC; Cynthia Mitchell; Alverser LLC; Chesterfield County staff; Planning Commissioner Frank Petroski; Supervisor Leslie Haley
When: Planning Commission, Tuesday, July 20, 2021; Board of Supervisors, Wednesday, July 28, 2021
Where: Chesterfield County — hearings attended in person or virtually, and livestreamed on WCCT Chesterfield Community Television (Comcast channel 98, Verizon channel 28) and the county YouTube channel
The cases
Gray Westchester, LLC — 21SN0566. A proposed development on 334± acres adjacent to Westchester Commons, then zoned General Industrial (I-2) and Community Business (C-3). The property had long been zoned for a residential community, and the developer intended to amend the existing zoning to better align the community with the current real estate market. A community meeting had been held in late May. The Comprehensive Plan suggested the property was appropriate for Regional Mixed Use and Low Density Residential.
1224 Crowder Drive — 21SN0570. Cynthia Mitchell requested renewal of a Conditional Use (Case 15SN0671) to continue operating a heating and air conditioning contractor's shop in an Agricultural (A) District on 0.56 acre known as 1224 Crowder Drive. The Comprehensive Plan suggested the property was appropriate for Residential Mixed use.
1200 Alverser Plaza — 21SN0629. Alverser LLC requested a Conditional Use to permit craft brewery, craft distillery and craft winery uses in a Corporate Office (O-2) District on 2.02 acres known as 1200 Alverser Plaza. The Comprehensive Plan suggested the property was appropriate for Community Business use.
Midlothian Special Design District (MSDD) — 20PJ0121. Chesterfield County staff were to give a presentation, and the board was to consider implementing the Midlothian Special Design District and Parking for Certain Office and Commercial Uses Countywide. The MSDD relates to the Midlothian Special Area Plan, which had been in the works for about a year. Amending parking requirements was meant to address evolving trends in real estate.
The MBA's advocacy
The alliance continued to encourage members to get involved in the process and to communicate their thoughts as the projects progressed — directing comment on the first three items to Planning Commissioner Frank Petroski and to the county's Planning Department, and comment on the fourth item to Leslie Haley, the supervisor for the district. Citizens were also encouraged to attend the Planning Commission hearings, virtually or in person. The notice was sent by Chris Jenkins, the MBA's Vice President and Director of Community Affairs.