Henrico supervisors deny Westford Glen rezoning amid traffic and school‑capacity concerns

The Henrico County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 2 denied a conditional rezoning application for Westford Glen, a proposed development of roughly 345 homes between Interstate 295 and Knuckles Road, citing persistent traffic and school‑capacity concerns.

Planning staff told supervisors the revised plan reduces units from 370 to 345 — about 309 townhomes and 36 single‑family homes — and includes proffers for sidewalks, street trees, buffers, multiple pocket parks and a commitment to apply to Henrico’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund for 5 percent of lots (about 17). The presentation noted the applicant revised plans on Nov. 24 and that the planning commission recommended approval with conditions.

Why it matters: The project would require significant changes to Knuckles Road, including a developer‑funded third lane and other intersection improvements intended to reduce queuing on ramps. Opponents said the road remains unsafe and that additional homes would worsen congestion and strain nearby schools; supporters said the development would add needed housing and that proffered road work would be paid by the developer.

During staff Q&A, public‑works staff and traffic modelers described the proposed third lane as the feature that most reduces queuing, projecting a reduction from roughly 100 vehicle backups to about 19 cars in modeled future conditions. School staff reported expected student yields — the county’s September 30 count and yield formulas — of roughly 70 elementary, 40 middle and 44 high‑school students from the proposal, and noted that trailers and boundary changes are current and possible mitigation tools.

Public comment was split. Jacqueline Holloway Dickerson, who said she lives on Pecal Lane, told the board that adding "346 homes, townhouses and business to the congested, overutilized and unsafe Knuckles Road" was "totally unrealistic and not in keeping with Henrico's safety protocols." Resident Dennis Furman, who reviewed the traffic study, urged caution and asked whether developers would post escrow to guarantee road fixes. Supporters including Matthew Glover, who said he leads the Urban Land Institute Young Leaders Group in Central Virginia, argued Westford Glen would add housing supply, deliver infrastructure now and help address affordability.

Applicant attorney Jeff Geiger told the board the developer has secured agreements for right‑of‑way acquisition and proffered that "not one house will be built until we build the third lane," saying the road work would be completed before homes are occupied. Geiger also reiterated the developer’s view that build‑out will be gradual (sales beginning after 2028) and that broader demographic trends make near‑term school crowding less likely.

In deliberations Supervisor Schuyler Rountree said the project team had done extensive work but expressed concern about timing and location: "This is a great project ... but I cannot say that it's the right location or the right time. And so because of that, I cannot approve this project." Rountree moved to deny REZ2025-101126; the motion was seconded by Supervisor Nelson and carried.

What’s next: The denial prevents the developer from proceeding under the proposed conditional plan; the applicant may revise and return at a later date or pursue other options. County staff will continue coordinating on transportation studies and school enrollment projections as other projects proceed.