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Board pauses Islamic Center land exchange after supervisors press for stronger deed and development protections
Summary
A proposed land swap at 7200 Galaxy Road between Henrico County and the Islamic Center of Henrico prompted questions about egress, paving, signage and enforceability; staff offered to add deed and development-agreement terms or withdraw the paper — withdrawal was confirmed as an option and staff will re-advertise when ready.
A proposed property exchange between Henrico County and the Islamic Center of Henrico drew extended questioning from supervisors about neighbors’ safety and enforceability, prompting staff to offer withdrawal and redrafting options.
Staff described the proposal as an exchange of roughly 0.6 acres of county-owned property at 7200 Galaxy Road in return for slightly more than an acre from the Islamic Center so the religious center could have a dedicated egress. The county would retain additional acreage for future recreational use.
Supervisor Miss Smith pressed staff on operational details she said mattered to nearby residents: whether the egress would be legally restricted to one-way, whether signage and paving would be required, whether enforcement would be feasible and whether the county could secure fire-truck width and no-parking provisions. “I just want to continue to revisit it,” she said, noting concern that once land is conveyed the county’s enforcement options are limited.
Staff said deed language and the exchange agreement can prohibit inbound access and require signage; they also suggested adding paving, signage and a fire-truck-width requirement if the board wished. Mr. Newby said a development agreement or deed provisions could provide stronger protections. To address the outstanding issues, staff offered to withdraw the board paper and return with a revised proposal; staff confirmed withdrawal requires no board action and can be re-advertised when the terms are ready.
Board members discussed options on the record — approving immediately with added conditions, adding legal guarantees in deed language or withdrawing the paper to return later with more enforceable terms. The manager and planning staff suggested that withdrawing and returning with a development agreement could better ensure neighbor protections.
No formal vote on the exchange was taken at the meeting; staff will prepare revised documentation and will bring the item back for future consideration when the deed and agreement language address the board’s concerns.
The record notes staff and the county manager will continue to consult with public-safety and public-works reviewers before re-advertising a revised board paper.
