Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Worsham Hamlet Rezoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning commission denies Worsham Hamlet rezoning after intense public opposition
Summary
The commission voted 3-2 on July 7 to deny a rezoning request (Worsham Hamlet) that would have rezoned 34.5 acres for up to 64 homes and nearly 10 acres of commercial land, citing inconsistency with the county's comprehensive plan and widespread public concerns about density, traffic, and sewer capacity.
The Powhatan County Planning Commission on July 7 voted 3-2 to deny a conditional rezoning request for about 34.5 acres to a Village Center Plan Development (project name: Worsham Hamlet). The proposal would have allowed up to 64 single-family detached homes and a roughly 9.7-acre commercial land bay.
Planning Director Webb recommended approval, saying the plan meets several strategic goals (transportation improvements, mixed-use nodes, and six proffered lots for attainable housing to be conveyed to a community land trust). Webb noted the project was not fully consistent with the 2021 future-land-use map but aligned with the county's recently adopted strategic plan.
Anne Miller, the applicant's planner, described Worsham Hamlet as a walkable mixed-use concept with sidewalks on both sides of internal streets, buffering from Route 60, and proffered transportation improvements. "We are pleased to bring this to you this evening with planning staff's recommendation for approval," Miller said.
The public hearing drew lengthy, often emotional testimony from dozens of residents. Opponents repeatedly said the density (roughly 2—3 houses per acre in parts of the site, with minimum lot sizes proffered as small as ~4,500 sq ft) is incompatible with the rural character and with choices made during the county's comprehensive-plan process. Residents raised safety concerns at the Route 60/Route 13 intersection and cited sewer-and-water capacity questions; one resident warned of potential traffic fatalities, and another said, "This isn't natural" and argued the project would erode the county's rural identity.
After discussion, the chair moved to deny the rezoning, citing inconsistency with the comprehensive plan. The motion passed by roll call 3-2, denying the rezoning. The record shows divergent views among commissioners about balancing long-term infrastructure investments (water and sewer already extended along portions of Route 60) with the comp-plan map and community expectations.
Because this is a planning commission recommendation on a rezoning request, the record and the denial will be forwarded according to the county's procedural rules; the applicant may choose next steps under local ordinance.
