Henrico Board denies Westford Glen rezoning after hours of debate over Knuckles Road traffic and school capacity

The Henrico County Board of Supervisors voted Dec. 2 to deny a conditional rezoning request for the Westford Glen development, a proposal that would have added 345 homes near the Knuckles Road interchange with Interstate 295.

The proposal, brought by Main Street Homes of Virginia and Shell Brothers, would have rezoned about 76.2 acres to allow 309 townhomes and 36 single‑family homes and a small commercial node. Planning staff said the revised concept reduced units from 370 to 345 and included proffers for sidewalks, street trees, buffers, parks and a new public road. Staff and the applicant also outlined a series of road improvements — most notably a developer‑funded third lane on Knuckles Road — intended to reduce queuing and improve operations at the interchange.

Why it mattered: Supervisors and residents said the site’s traffic constraints and current school capacity make the timing risky. Rountree, who moved denial, summarized neighborhood concerns about safety on Knuckles Road and rising enrollment pressures at River’s Edge Elementary and Deep Run High School and said the location and timing were not right for the project.

Traffic and infrastructure: County traffic staff and public‑works representatives described the Synchro modeling used for the application and said the developer’s proffered improvements would substantially reduce queuing at the Knuckles Road signal. The applicant’s attorney, Jeff Geiger, said the developer had agreements to acquire the needed right‑of‑way and pledged that “no house will be built until we build the third lane.” Geiger added, “We need to fix Knuckles Road,” and said the developer would construct the lane and other turn‑lane improvements before occupancy.

Public comment: More than a dozen residents addressed the board. Opponents said the third lane and other proffers would not fully address existing congestion — especially southbound movements not covered by the proffers — and worried about school overcrowding and safety for children walking in nearby neighborhoods. Jacqueline Holloway Dickerson said, "Without regard to these measures, adding 346 homes, townhouses and business to the congested, over‑utilized and unsafe Knuckles Road is totally unrealistic." Supporters, including Matthew Glover of the Urban Land Institute Young Leaders Group, said the project would help address a shortfall of attainable housing and would pay for needed infrastructure now rather than waiting for county funding.

Schools and timing: Henrico County Public Schools staff explained student‑yield methodology (September 30 counts used for state reporting) and projected a phased student increase; board members noted a planned new elementary school in 2029 but said redistricting and timing create uncertainty. Supervisors raised that trailers are in regular use at River’s Edge and urged caution given current capacity issues.

Board action: After prolonged discussion, Supervisor Rountree moved to deny REZ2025‑101126 (Main Street Homes of Virginia, Shell Brothers); the motion was seconded by Mr. Nelson and carried. Rountree said the project was well‑designed but not at the right location or time given current school pressures.

What’s next: Because the rezoning was denied, the applicant would need to decide whether to revise and resubmit proposals or pursue other options. The board did not set any follow‑up direction at the meeting.