Goochland planning commission recommends denial of Highfield subdivision over Rockville Road safety and density concerns

The Goochland County Planning Commission on May 20 recommended denial, 5-0, of a rezoning request from Markel Eagle Advisors LLC for the “Highfield” project — a proposed 138-lot Residential Planned Unit Development on about 138.52 acres along Rockville Road.

The commission acted after hours of testimony from county staff, the applicant and more than a dozen residents and public-safety officials who cited traffic dangers on Rockville Road, questions about emergency access and the project’s lot density.

Planning staff and the applicant described a package of proffers that would require design standards, fire-suppression systems in each dwelling and significant off-site roadway work. Ray Cash, Assistant Director of Community Development, summarized the proposal as a rezoning from Agricultural Limited (A-2) to RPUD with proffered conditions and said the plan generally matches the county comprehensive plan’s “single-family residential medium-density” designation. The applicant and staff said the project proposes about one lot per acre and includes a conceptual plan for 138 lots and three entrances to Rockville Road.

Natalie Croft, representing the applicant, said the proposal responds to community concerns and would include “fire suppression” in every new home, a limit of 40 building-permit applications per year and a proffered capital contribution to county impacts. Croft said the project would also “regrade and reconstruct nearly a half mile of…