Board approves LA Resort density increase after developer boosts proffers for fire, housing and AEDs

The Louisa County Board of Supervisors voted 5-2 on July 7 to approve an amendment to the LA Resort rezoning that increases the residential condominium portion from a maximum of 96 units to 114 units and adds proffers intended to offset local impacts.

Why it matters: The applicant's revised proffers raised the package from $48,000 to $186,000. Board members and local emergency-service advocates said the extra funding would help address possible service demands tied to the development.

Deputy director Tom Eglin Jr. told the board the applicant revised its proffers after earlier public comment and staff review, producing what he described as "maybe some of the most robust proffers for a project of this size." Eglin said the project's total proffers now include $20,000 for AED placement (timed to the approval), $9,000 for Newbridge Station Fire & EMS and $100,080 for affordable-housing support through the Louisa Housing Foundation, for a net increase of $138,080 over the prior package.

Support letters accompanied the application. Patrick Gallagher, president of the Foundation for Lake Anna Emergency Services, emailed the board in support and said the foundation had already used earlier donations to buy apparatus and supplies for Newbridge Fire & Rescue. An earlier letter from the Louisa Housing Foundation also supported the proffers, Eglin said.

Several supervisors noted the change effectively improved the original approval. Supervisor McCotter said he expected the developer's revised package would "probably make the project better," while Supervisor McCotter and others urged the developer to complete associated commercial elements such as the hotel.

Board action: Supervisor Barnes moved approval; the motion was seconded and the clerk called a roll call. The final tally recorded the motion as passing 5-2. Comments during debate included a request for a roll-call vote by a supervisor who described the increase as "buying your way to more units," but supporters said the proffers were designed to mitigate potential impacts.

What's next: The rezoning amendment takes effect as approved and includes timing conditions for some proffer payments; the board did not designate specific immediate capital allocations beyond the proffer schedule. The county noted the funds will be used according to the proffers' stated purposes, including AED placements, support to Newbridge Station and affordable-housing assistance.