Letter to the Editor: States intended plans for tracts of land in New Kent County

As we recover from the rigors of COVID-19 and get back to traveling, a few citizens have inquired about the plans for some highly visible tracts of land I own that presently are being cleared of most of their trees. These tracts, plus others previously cleared, are locate along Route 155 (north and south of Interstate 64), Olivet Church Road (north and south of Interstate 64), Route 249 (east and west of Route 106), and at the end of Cumberland Road. Most holdings are marked by white fences and gates, with a distinctive white sign.

As a resident of New Kent with a long family history here, I feel an obligation to make my plans known with respect to these holdings. Most of my properties are being converted from solid forest into meadows and farming terrain with meaningful wooded acreage remaining. They are not intended for commercial exploitation or large-scale residential development. My goal is to preserve them largely as natural spaces for pastoral and agricultural pursuits, as well as recreation.

Naturally, these sweeping statements are subject to the passage of time and future circumstances that none of us can predict. In truth, it is conceivable that in the years ahead, plans for limited development of some of these properties could arise where none are contemplated today.

Like many others, I view with some sadness several of our commercial and a few of the newest residential developments in New Kent on previously unspoiled terrain. Many of these developments suggest a future appearance for our county resembling eastern Henrico.

I hope this will address the well-founded questions that I’ve heard recently. As a private citizen, that is all that I plan to say at present on this important topic.

John Poindexter
New Kent