In case you missed the Oct. 26 Board of Supervisors meeting, here is a brief recap of items from the board’s monthly work session and business meeting:
HARROWGATE PARK PHASE III
The board authorized the award of a $3.56 million construction contract to Loughridge and Company LLC for Phase III development of Harrowgate Park.
A southern portion of Harrowgate Park, which opened in 1978, was used in 2018 as part of the site for the replacement Harrowgate Elementary School. Chesterfield subsequently acquired 26 acres of nearby property to replace the athletic fields and picnic facilities that were lost to the new school.
A plan was developed to integrate the two adjacent schools, Harrowgate Elementary and Carver Middle, the remaining portion of the old park and a new Harrowgate Park to provide comprehensive recreation facilities for the community.
This plan divided the park development into three phases, the first two of which are complete. Phase I added lights and irrigation to the two middle school athletic fields. Phase II provided additional athletic improvements at the middle school, adding a combination baseball/football field, a new restroom/concession building, a new entrance off Harrow Road into the old park, additional parking and improved circulation systems in compliance with ADA guidelines.
Phase III will build community recreational facilities on the 26 acres of new park property, including a picnic area, open play area, destination playground, restrooms, picnic shelter, one mile of trails, a half-mile of sidewalks and a 90-car parking lot.
It also includes a trail connection to both the elementary school and the old Harrowgate Park, as well as a neighborhood connection to the adjacent Harrowgate Meadows subdivision.
ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT FUNDING
The board authorized Chesterfield Fire and EMS to accept and appropriate $1.9 million from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) to install diesel exhaust source capture systems in 20 fire stations.
Source capture systems consist of flexible hoses that are attached to the tail pipes of fire apparatus and other emergency vehicles parked in fire apparatus bays and remove hazardous exhaust through a system of overhead ductwork connected to a high-volume exhaust fan.
These systems help prevent the build-up of diesel particulates and other harmful gases within fire stations, thus reducing firefighters’ exposure to cancer risks. A local match of $191,553.64 will be funded from EMS Revenue Recovery.
Also, Chesterfield Fire and EMS Chief Loy Senter presented the department’s annual report to the board. Watch his presentation below.
FICKE PARK SUBSTANTIAL ACCORD
The board accepted a report from the Chesterfield Planning Commission on its substantial accord determination for a neighborhood park (Ficke Park) to be located in the Dale District.
At its Sept. 22 meeting, the commission concluded that the proposed park is in substantial accord with the countywide comprehensive plan. Chesterfield Parks and Recreation needed such a determination before it can proceed with developing the park, which will be located on an 11.3-acre parcel along Conifer Road.
Ficke Park will fill existing gaps in Chesterfield’s park system by providing a new facility in close proximity to neighborhoods not currently served by parks. Park configuration for specific active athletic uses, court games, picnic and natural areas and other related uses will be customized to the site based on community need.
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA UPDATE
Natalie Spillman, Chesterfield’s intergovernmental affairs administrator, gave a presentation to the board about the county’s draft legislative priorities heading into the 2023 General Assembly session, an overview of the current legislative backdrop and outcomes from recent redistricting. You can watch the presentation in its entirety below.
RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR ROUTE 1 APARTMENTS
As recommended by staff, the board adopted a resolution supporting construction of the Lambert Landing Apartments, a proposed 112-unit apartment complex to be located at the southeast corner of Route 1 and Rio Vista Street.
The project’s developer, Lambert Landing, LP, has applied for financing through Virginia Housing’s mixed-income program. To qualify for such financing, state law requires that the Board of Supervisors pass a resolution supporting development of this mixed-income project.
The benefit of this project to Chesterfield is its inclusion of affordable housing as a portion of the total units allowed. Virginia Housing’s mixed-income financing requires at least 20% of the dwellings to be leased to households that make no more than 80% of the county’s median income ($80,560 for a four-person household and $56,400 for a one-person household). The remaining 80% of the dwelling units will not be income-restricted.
There are no costs to the county associated with the mixed-income project and no county debt will be created through the proposed Virginia Housing financing.