New Kent supervisors reject Liberty Landing’s latest proposal
Despite proffers offered by David Rudiger and Kenneth Merner of Bridgewater Crossing Incorporated for rezoning 88 acres of land, New Kent supervisors voted 3-2 to reject a rezoning application that would pave the way for development of Liberty Landing subdivision in the Bottoms Bridge area of New Kent.
Supervisors heard the proposal from Rudiger at Monday night’s public hearing. The developer emphasized that 450 residential units would consist of townhomes, one room, and two room apartments.
Incentives pushed by Rudiger for the development of Liberty Landing included cash proffers of $4,500 per unit (that would generate $15,000 per student in the school system), imposing new architectural standards, phasing in 200,000 square feet in new businesses, sidewalks and paths included in the construction, open space for recreational areas, and land donated for construction of a fire station in Bottoms Bridge.
Rudiger also said the development would generate $1.5 million per year for the next 20 years in revenue ($30 million total) for the county, as well as positive cash flow, $5.6 million in one-time sewer fees, and $2.7 million in proffers.
However, Rudiger’s proposal met opposition at the county’s planning commission meeting in March. That pattern followed suit as citizens took advantage to voice displeasure with the plan.
“Wrong time, wrong place,” said Kimberlee Moyer, a resident of Patriot’s Landing. “Our current needs for the county are emergency facilities and emergency care.
“These jobs that the developer is proposing won’t fulfill those needs,” she concluded.
“I want to see more commercial development first,” said Mark Tutrani. “I don’t think this county needs to see more housing.”
However, two residents saw potential and positives that Liberty Landing may bring.
“I think it would bring more pets and businesses to the area,” said Kristin Parsley, who owns an animal hospital near the proposed development. “I would welcome them to the area.”
“I own a trail riding facility between the hospital and the area that is being discussed and I believe it will bring more people,” said Lynn Barbini. “Anybody knows that businesses look for traffic along Route 60 and I believe Liberty Landing can bring that.”
Supervisors addressed the multiple issues with Liberty Landing, with support both for and against the proposal.
“I am concerned about the firefighter staffing at stations,” said District 2 supervisor Tommy Tiller. “It would cost us $1 million to staff six firefighters and build a station there. That means a five-cent tax rate increase at the least.
“I don’t think there is enough commercial space involved in this plan,” he continued. “I want to see a lot more commercial development than the seven percent proposed.”
“I don’t feel we need extra housing at this time,” chimed in District 4 supervisor Ron Stiers. “It takes this county an average of 120 days in turnaround time to sell houses, whereas neighboring jurisdictions are nearly a month quicker.”
District 3 supervisor James Burrell, however, favored the proposal, saying it was time for a change.
“We have to look out for what’s best in New Kent County,” he said. “There will always be opposition to anything we do. There was opposition when we raised taxes but we had to do it to help the county.
“People want to live in areas where they can walk to the grocery store and other amenities,” the District 3 supervisor added. “That is the way most subdivisions are catering to and I see Liberty Landing making strides to move that way.
Burrell followed his comments with a motion to approve the rezoning application. Only Burrell and District 1 representative Thomas Evelyn voted for approval, with the three dissenting votes from Tiller, Stiers, and District 5 representative Ray Davis. Tiller’s motion to deny approval passed 3-2, with Evelyn and Burrell casting opposing votes.
Rudiger and Merner, obviously dismayed by the vote, left the meeting without commenting if the application and plan will be revised and presented at a later date.