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Residents press Henrico supervisors on trees, turf fields, traffic and infrastructure
Summary
During public comment residents raised environmental concerns about tree loss, criticized plans for synthetic turf at Douglas Freeman High School, and urged the board to pause or balance rapid residential approvals citing insufficient commercial services and traffic impacts.
At the May 12 public comment period, several residents urged the Board of Supervisors to weigh environmental, infrastructure and safety concerns as development accelerates in Henrico.
Jennifer Lieberman, who also spoke during a rezoning hearing, warned of the ecological cost of clearing mature trees for new projects and questioned the long‑term effects on property values and habitat. She also expressed worries about synthetic turf installations at Douglas Freeman High School, saying materials like polypropylene and some infill products raise health and environmental questions.
Paul Momquist, a Fairfield District resident, described a shortage of nearby grocery, medical and retail services amid rapid housing development and said traffic and travel times on routes such as Laburnum Avenue and Mechanicsville Turnpike have grown worse. He urged the board to consider slowing approvals until supportive infrastructure is in place.
Multiple comments across the meeting signaled frustration with the pace and cumulative scale of residential approvals in corridors surrounding Westwood and Willow Lawn and asked the county to ensure roads, schools and emergency services can accommodate growth.
