Board approves rezoning for Saint Mary's Hospital to add 362-space surface parking lot

The Henrico County Board of Supervisors voted June 9 to approve a conditional rezoning that will let Bon Secours Saint Mary's Hospital build a 362-space surface parking lot on roughly 1.6 acres adjacent to the hospital.

Planning staff told the board the parcels are currently zoned R-3 and the applicant seeks rezoning to O-3C to accommodate a parking area that supports a larger multi-phase improvement project. "The total number reported is, roughly $370,000,000," a staff presentation said, describing plans that include an eight-story medical tower, a rooftop helipad and reconfigured parking. Staff recommended approval, noting proffers that limit the site to parking use, require a 25-foot landscape buffer along Maple Avenue, tree-planted landscape islands and lighting standards to screen nearby homes.

Public commenter Jennifer Lieberman urged the board to deny the rezoning, criticizing the hospital's corporate management and saying community priorities should not prioritize vehicle expansion. "My ask today is that you say no to this parking lot expansion," Lieberman said, adding concerns about long appointment waits and the hospital system's priorities. She also asserted the hospital CEO earned more than $12 million in 2023.

Supporters on the dais argued the lot would address chronic overflow parking that pushes vehicles into neighborhood streets. Supervisor Smith, who moved to follow the planning commission recommendation, said the proposed lot "would help reduce overflow parking on neighborhood streets" and is a piece of a previously studied expansion that included parking solutions. Smith moved approval of RZ2026-100669 with the proffers dated April 20, 2026; the motion was seconded and the board voted to approve the rezoning.

The conditions attached to the rezoning restrict future uses to parking, require buffering and set standards for lighting and landscaping. The staff report and planning commission record note the property has been assembled by the applicant over many years and is owned by the hospital, which staff said makes the use compatible with surrounding institutional uses despite its residential comprehensive plan designation.

The board's approval allows the applicant to proceed with permitting for the surface lot under the proffers approved at the hearing. No roll-call vote was recorded in the meeting transcript; the chair announced the ayes had it and the rezoning was approved.