NK supervisors hosting public hearing on controversial subdivision proposal

A public hearing on a rezoning application that, if approved, would pave the way for building 344 townhouses, 264 apartments, and 100,000 square feet of commercial space on Route 60 near Bottoms Bridge is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. before New Kent’s Board of Supervisors.

At issue is the Liberty Landing project that is proposed for 113 acres on the south side of Route 60 across from the Five Lakes subdivision. Virginia Beach-based Boyd Homes (Bridgewater Crossing Inc.) is spearheading the project that was first introduced in 2006 but took a back seat when the bottom fell out of the economy.

The land is currently zoned for business use. Developers are seeking R-3 Multi-Family Residential status.

Plans advanced by the developer call for the 100,000 square feet of commercial space to front on Route 60. The 344 townhouses are proposed for the area immediately behind the commercial development while the 264 apartments are slated for the rear of the property, closest to the Chickahominy River. The developer also proposes to construct a clubhouse along with recreation areas, walking trails, and private boat access to the river.

The developer is offering a $5,000 proffer per housing unit (totaling $3.04 million for the maximum number of 608 units at build-out). Of the proffer for each unit, $4,500 is to be designated for county schools while $500 goes to county emergency services. The proffer amount has been revised upward from an original figure of $1,500 per unit.
Over a 20-year period, developers say, Liberty Landing is estimated to produce $20 million in net revenue for the county.

But neither the proffers nor the revenue projection impressed county Planning Commission members during the group’s Nov. 19 meeting. Commission members voted 9-0 with one abstention to forward an unfavorable recommendation to supervisors.

The vote followed conclusion of a two-part public hearing on the matter (the first held in September). Only four of the 18 people in the audience spoke, echoing comments from the September hearing in which speakers voiced concern over increased traffic on Route 60, burgeoning student numbers in county schools, and housing density seemingly too high. Commission members took all into account and added a few more reasons for their recommendation.

“I’ve been deluged with comments, and I don’t have a single supporter that wants this built,” said commission member Michael Lane.

Lane thanked developers for their interest in the county, but added, “Unfortunately, citizens don’t want what you’re presenting. In good faith, I can’t support this rezoning.”

Commission member Patti Townsend motioned for an unfavorable recommendation, noting increased traffic problems on Route 60, negative impact on emergency services, and the burden of additional students on county schools. Tommy Tiller, supervisors’ representative on the commission, abstained.

Supervisors, meanwhile, could take final action on the rezoning application following their Dec. 10 public hearing or defer the matter until a later date.