Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Rezoning Western Village topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bedford supervisors unanimously approve RZ21‑0005 to allow Western Village housing development
Summary
The Bedford County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve rezoning application RZ21‑0005, clearing the way for up to 384 dwelling units at the Western Village site across from Forest Middle School after lengthy presentations about traffic, schools and the project's regulatory history.
The Bedford County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 25 voted unanimously to rezone two parcels known as the Western Village project (RZ21‑0005), allowing a residential development capped at 384 dwelling units and a separate commercial parcel.
Jordan Mitchell, planner with the county's Planning Division, told supervisors the application covers two parcels — roughly 24.29 acres and 1.2 acres — located across from Forest Middle School on Route 221. Mitchell said the proposal would rezone one parcel to R‑4 to permit multi‑family dwellings and that traffic and school impacts were the primary technical issues staff flagged. He noted required roadway improvements identified by the project's traffic study and said sidewalks and certain turn‑lane work would be necessary and that VDOT approval of updated traffic recommendations would be required.
The developer's presentation said water and sewer capacity exists for the project, that a pump station upgrade has been bonded by the developer, and that the plan includes three proffers including a cap at 384 units and roadway work per the traffic study. The applicant's team also stressed the site's mixed‑use future land‑use designation in the county comprehensive plan.
The board's discussion centered on traffic and school capacity. "This project has given me a lot of heartburn," said Supervisor Sharp, who raised concerns about density and impacts on elementary schools and local intersections. But he and other supervisors referenced the project's regulatory history — including prior planning‑commission approvals and an ordinance amendment in 2018 that expanded 'extended‑stay' hotel uses — and said the developer had relied on earlier staff guidance. Given that history and the developer's investments, Sharp moved to approve the rezoning, and the motion carried on a unanimous vote.
The planning file and staff reports show the planning commission held a public hearing on Sept. 21, 2021, tabled the item for additional school‑capacity information, and later recorded a failed vote on Oct. 19, 2021, before forwarding the updated information to the board. Planning staff told the board the Forest attendance zone faces capacity pressures under higher‑growth scenarios, and the applicant offered a traffic‑related commit to construct turn‑lane improvements as recommended by the traffic study.
The board approved the rezoning application RZ21‑0005 and recorded the vote as unanimous. Next steps include finalizing proffers and obtaining required VDOT approvals for the roadway improvements before development permits may be issued.
