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Chesterfield County highlights community cleanups, streetlight conversions and code enforcement activity
Summary
County presenters reported neighborhood cleanups, a multiyear LED streetlight conversion, and the volume of annual code-enforcement cases and licensing handled by the Community Enhancement Department.
Dan Cohen, Community Enhancement Department staff, opened the department update by saying the office aims to "increase the value, quality, desirability, and attractiveness of Chesterfield County." He then introduced other presenters who described the department's public-improvement and enforcement work.
Rich Billings, a Community Enhancement Department lead, said the department has supported 35 community cleanups since 2019 and removed more than 300 tons of bulk debris through those events. "These community cleanups give [residents] an opportunity to come together and work toward a goal," Billings said, adding that the work builds neighborhood connections. He cited a spring cleanup in Meadowdale and noted that much of the county's cleanup capacity relies on partnerships with the Sheriff's workforce, volunteers, county contractors and local trash haulers.
On streetlights, staff said the county has installed more than 50 streetlights in residential neighborhoods since 2021 and is starting a multiyear conversion of roughly 4,000 county-accounted streetlights to LED fixtures over a five-year period. County staff estimated the LED conversion will yield about $400,000 in energy savings when complete. Staff clarified that most streetlights in the county are owned by utilities even though the county pays the electric bills and works with utilities and VDOT on pedestrian and right-of-way lighting.
The department reported enforcement and licensing statistics: it addresses almost 4,000 code violations annually and processes more than 5,000 vehicle and business licenses each year. Billings told the board that enforcement needs have grown, especially in commercial properties and apartment complexes, and that some cleanup efforts required police assistance and contractor support.
Staff said public-improvement priorities focus on gateways and major thoroughfares; examples shown to the board included plantings at Hull Street and Tanbark and landscaping along Midlothian Turnpike coordinated through service districts and the Midlothian Business Alliance. Keep Chesterfield Beautiful, the department's litter-prevention program, removes over 150 tons of litter annually, staff said.
Board members asked clarifying questions about utility ownership of lights and praised the department's partnerships and neighborhood projects. The presentation concluded as housing presenters took over the meeting agenda.
