New Kent supervisors deny PUD amendment for Rock Creek Villas

A last-ditch effort to add a Planned Unit Development (PUD) amendment for Rock Creek Villas in New Kent fell on deaf ears of county leaders Monday night.

New Kent supervisors voted unanimously against granting the amendment to the Woda Group at the board’s regularly scheduled meeting.

At issue was proposals asked for in the PUD amendment by the Woda Group on behalf of Peggy and Billy Cunningham. The proposal included reduction in the number of maximum number of senior living facility lots down to 46 (originally 56), the assisted living facility lots being limited between 56-60, and all buildings to be constructed with the same material and characteristics of others in Rock Creek Villa. The proposal also included reducing the size of the building, the Woda Group purchasing the privacy gate, and maintaining the landscaping on the eastern portion of the property. At New Kent County’s December Planning Commission meeting, planners voted 8-0-1 to forward an unfavorable recommendation to county supervisors, citing inconsistencies and lack of organization in the plan.

But the Woda Group made its final pitch to county supervisors at the Jan. 8 meeting, pitching the organization’s credibility as its selling point.

“When it comes to our properties, we are diligent and don’t take everyone that applies,” said Craig Patterson of the Woda Group. “We screen criminal, financial, and credit background.”

Billy Cunningham provided background on his vision for Rock Creek Villas, pointing to efforts he made to revamp the Five Lakes subdivision. Patterson and Cunningham echoed the same sentiments when they spoke about interacting with residents about improvements. Patterson provided new figures that projected a $9 million investment from tax credits along with more money provided through the county through fees.

But residents voiced opposition at Monday night’s public hearing on the amendment, with many believing that deception had taken place when interacting with the Woda Group and the Cunninghams.

“We don’t want this,” said Pat Amann. “We don’t want the additional traffic. We want what we were promised [additional amenities].”

“They have not learned their lesson,” chimed in William Shumake, who spoke on behalf of residences of the Rock Creek area. “They didn’t meet their standards for this PUD and for this subsidized housing.”

An emotional Chillon Williams addressed the difficulty and commented about the toll the PUD would have on current residents.

“I’m a disable veteran and like most in this community, we have cancer survivors and people going through it now,” he said, referencing tough times and an already booming population in that area. “We didn’t sign up for this and we didn’t sign up for an eyesore.”

Supervisors sided with the Rock Creek residents, voting 5-0 against the PUD amendment request.