EAST OF ASHLAND IN FOCUS, Educational Forum, Wednesday, Nov. 4th! Please Join Us!

Posted on October 28, 2009 by hanoversfuture

The Coalition for Hanover’s Future (CHF) will host a citizens educational forum this Wednesday, November 4th at 7 p.m. at the Providence Baptist Church in Ashland. The forum will provide citizens an opportunity to engage with elected officials, planners, and a national expert on land use and transportation reform regarding the high density developments proposed east of Ashland along Route 54.
November 4th Event Flyer
The proposed Mixed Use (MX) developments include: “East Ashland,” “Providence Creek.” “East Ashland” and “Providence Creek” combined will bring 1,290 more residential units and 1,093,400 square feet of office, retail and commercial space to the area just east of Exit 92 of the I-95 offramp. Think Short Pump-size growth (Shortpump is 1.2 million square feet of retail et. al.)

Without a new and improved I-95 interchange, how will traffic volumes be managed and controlled? How many more traffic lights are planned? Will historic Providence Church Road be closed and thus force folks to drive through “Providence Creek” development to reach their church? A traffic impact study indicates seven traffic lights on Rt. 54 and a plan to close access to historic Providence Church Road from Route 54 (East) and reroute it. Traffic volume is estimated at 33,216 car trips during weekdayss and 35,216 car trips on Saturdays.

Will Hanover County’s school system be able to handle increases in student enrollemnt. How much will all of this excessive growth, in terms of infrastructure and public services cost the taxpayer? When does green-lighting development become wreckless and irresponsible? How do all of these proposed developments preserve the quality of life for existing and future residents? How will these developments make quality of life better?

Along with “East Ashland and Providence Creek” Short-Pump size growth, add “Woodside Estates.” “Woodside Estates,” now underway, will bring 158 new homes.

“CHF is providing this forum so citizens will acquire the big picture regarding the impact of these large scale developments on their overall quality of life. The dramatic growth will bring a surge in traffic volume and congestion, and a significant increase in light pollution and impervious surfaces. The amount of infrastructure required, such as sewer and water, roads, schools and public safety, will increase and the cost is passed on to us as taxpayers,” said Pattie Bland, chair of CHF.

The Wednesday night forum will be moderated by Sheila Sheppard, coordinator of Partnership for Smarter Growth. Presentations regarding the size and scope of the proposed developments will be made by planning staff from the Town of Ashland and Hanover County. Jurisdictions in which the developments will grow will be represented by Ashland’s Mayor and a Hanover County Supervisor.

Trip Pollard, a nationally recognized land use and transportation reform expert from the Southern Environmental Law Center, will provide insight about the development and their impacts.

Citizens will be able to ask questions or raise concerns with panel members following presentations.

WHAT: CHF Educational Forum for Citizens
WHEN: Wednesday, November 4th , 7 p.m.
WHERE: Providence Baptist Church, 9491 Providence Church Road, Ashland.
Check out this map!>>
CHFFORUM-A at

Filed under: "East Ashland" Development, "Providence Creek" Development, Poor Planning Decisions | Leave a Comment »

Hunting dogs at large

Posted on October 19, 2009 by hanoversfuture

Citizen concern is mounting over hunting dogs traversing private property. Though not necessarily against hunting, some county residents say they are upset when hunters have not asked permission to be on their property. The situation intensifies if a landowner has livestock or pets that could be disturbed by the intrusion of hunting dogs.

Some residents have started a petition drive and would like to hear from others on this matter. Citizens may e-mail to dogsatlargelaw@gmail.com

Filed under: 2006 Comp Plan | Leave a Comment »

East Ashland or Beast Ashland?

Posted on October 9, 2009 by hanoversfuture
"Beast Ashland"

"Beast Ashland"

A sprawling, high density, mixed-use development proposed east of Ashland will be discussed Monday, Oct 12th, 7 p.m. in the County’s Administration Boardroom. Please plan to attend and voice your ideas and concerns about this proposed development.

The county planning department along with Wilton developers will trot out plans for what they dub, “East Ashland” (or as some folks call it, “Beast Ashland.”)

“Beast Ashland” is just one of three, large-scale developments planned for the rural Route 54 corridor (east of I-95). The other two “beastly” developments coming down Route 54 East include the Providence Creek mixed use development and Hickory Hill, residential sprawl.

Because Wilton’s development, “Beast Ashland,” affects tracks of land falling within the Town of Ashland as well as the county, the following traffic impact analysis by Wilbur Smith Associates only addresses the piece of development  within the Town of Ashland.

As a community concerned about the negative impact of excessive growth, especially in terms of quality of life, we want citizens to see and learn THE BIG PICTURE.  In other words, how will ALL of the proposed developments combined impact traffic, density, congestion and the overall quality of life along Route 54 East?

The conclusion of the East Ashland TIA Review 2009 states:

“Traffic generated by the East Ashland development will have a negative impact on the surrounding roadways and intersections. The recommendations proposed in the East Ashland Traffic Impact Analysis will lessen some of these impacts, but impacts will remain. The queues created by the East Ashland development are of concern….The applicant should address the future reconstruction of the Route 54/I-95 interchange and right-of-way dedication for this reconstruction should be proffered.”

Again, in terms of the BIG PICTURE, this traffic impact analysis does not take into consideration ALL three developments planned for the Route 54 East corridor. What will the impact of increased traffic and density be from all three of the proposed developments?

Filed under: Poor Planning Decisions | Leave a Comment »

Merger!

Posted on September 26, 2009 by hanoversfuture

Pooling resources, talent, and energy, the Ashland/Hanover Citizens for Responsible Growth (CRG) has decided to merge with the Coalition for Hanover’s Future (CHF).

Established as a non-profit in 1999, CRG educated citizens, local leaders, and elected officials about sensible and sustainable growth and urged the adoption of  smart land use policies for several high profile developments projected in the Ashland area.  With CHF and CRG sharing similar goals, this merger represents a logical move forward in terms of pooling resources, talent, and energy.

Filed under: 2006 Comp Plan | Leave a Comment »

How to Implement County Green Policies-Innovative Codes & Ordinances

Posted on September 5, 2009 by hanoversfuture

Counties around the country are adopting new policies to further environmental, energy efficiency, and sustainability efforts.  What about Hanover County?

This link includes innovative county codes and ordinances and how our peers in other counties have overcome certain barriers.

Filed under: Green Building Movement, Green Infrastructure | Leave a Comment »

PARKS & REC MASTER PLAN needs your input tonight!

Posted on August 31, 2009 by hanoversfuture

The Hanover County Department of Parks and Recreation prepared the following recommendations for all of our parks and facilities (click on following link to download the .pdf version):

19478_HanoverRecommendations_082809

Tonight, there will be a public meeting to review the recommnedations held at the Richmond Times Dispatch Hanover Plant on 8460 Times Dispatch Boulevard in Mechanicsville at 7 p.m.

The purpose of the master plan is to provide the County with a long-term vision for its park system by identifying community needs and creating a plan of action to implement needed improvements and additions to the existing parks system. The plan also includes strategies for funding capital improvements and the ongoing operation and maintenance of new and existing facilities.

Hanover County Parks & Recreation

804-365-4695

Via email at parksandrec@co.hanover.va.us.

Filed under: Parks & Recreation | Leave a Comment »

STRIKE OUT: Baseball Facility Approved

Posted on August 20, 2009 by hanoversfuture

The Planning Commission approved an amendment to Atlee Little League’s Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for the placement of a baseball training facility in the Whippoorwill Road area. The facility will open year-round, 365 days per year. Several Whippoorwill residents opposed the CUP because of the following concerns: more traffic congestion, noise pollution, and increasing pre-existing problems with water runoff.

Filed under: 2006 Comp Plan | Leave a Comment »

April 16 Whippoorwill Rd. hearings

Posted on April 14, 2009 by hanoversfuture

The Planning Commission will conduct public hearings at its April 16 meeting on two applications with implications for Whippoorwill Road residents (Ashland District).

–A noise ordinance change seeks to exempt schools from curtailing their event noise. Area residents have complained about the noise and amplification levels at Hanover High School during games and band practices.

–An application for a baseball training facility has Whippoorwill Road residents concerned over traffic flow, volume and speed as well as continuing water runoff issues.

The Planning Commission meeting convenes at 7:00 p.m.

Filed under: 2006 Comp Plan | Leave a Comment »

Green Infrastructure workshop April 22

Posted on April 14, 2009 by hanoversfuture

To those of you who missed the Hanover event, there will be another opportunity to hear Karen Firehock speak about Green Infrastructure Planning at Fairfield Library in Henrico.

Karen Firehock is an outstanding speaker, the topic is fascinating, and this is an opportunity to learn about a positive way to preserve natural resources as well as our communities. Green Infrastructure Planning is being supported by the Regional Planning Districts, is being demonstrated in some of our neighboring counties, and is here and available for our region to begin using.

Henrico County – Workshop on Green Infrastructure

Wed April 22, 2009 – 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Meeting Room – Fairfield Library
1001 N. Laburnum Ave.
Henrico, VA 23223-2705
(804) 652-3251

Purpose: The workshop will explain how Henrico County can conserve their green infrastructure assets. Green infrastructure includes the natural assets such as timber land and forests, tree canopy for urban areas, rivers and drinking water sources, agricultural soils, wildlife habitat and human use values such as hiking, fishing, boating and historic landscapes. The workshop will demonstrate new tools for conserving these assets and showcase maps for Henrico county and how the county fits into the region’s larger green infrastructure network. The workshop includes a presentation by a leading environmental planner Karen Firehock and hands on activities to work with local maps and planning tools.

Audience: Citizens, county and town government staff, elected and appointed officials, conservation groups, developers, watershed groups and anyone interested in ensuring that as their community develops, it will grow in patterns that maximize both ecological and economic assets.

Who: The GIC is a nonprofit organization that has partnered with the Richmond Regional Planning District, The Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the Capital Region Land Conservancy to help assess and map the region’s green infrastructure assets.

Attendance is free

Filed under: Green Infrastructure | Leave a Comment »

Find out what’s going on . . .

Posted on March 9, 2009 by hanoversfuture

. . . when you attend a meeting. Here’s what’s on for March:

3/9 – Community meeting about cell tower placement for Whippoorwill Road, Ashland District. County Admin Bldg, 7 p.m.

3/10 – Community meeting about cell tower placement at/near the church property, King’s Chapel Presbyterian Church (Rt. 54 west), Beaverdam District, 7 p.m.

3/10 – Community meeting about Providence Creek proposed mixed use (MX) development, Providence Church, 9491 Providence Church Road, Beaverdam District, 7 p.m.

3/11 – Board of Supervisors regular meeting, County Admin Bldg, 7 p.m. Take the opportunity to speak at Citizen’s Time.

3/12 – Planning Commission Public Hearing, Capital Improvement Program FY 2010-FY 2014, County Admin Bldg, 7 p.m. A copy of the proposed CIP is available for review in the Planning Department, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

3/16 – Community meeting about placement of two cell towers in the Studley area, Henry District, Rural Point Baptist Church, 7 p.m.

3/18 – Green Infrastructure Workshop, Ashland Branch Library, Ashland, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

3/19 – Planning Commission Public Hearing agenda includes: Providence Creek MX development, Beaverdam District; baseball training facility, Ashland District

3/23 – Hanover County Department of Economic Development Public Forum (EcoDev Strategic Plan update), Times Dispatch Meeting Room, 8460 Times Dispatch Blvd., Mechanicsville, 7 p.m. (For additional information, visit http://www.co.hanover.va.us/econdev/PublicCommentAnnouncement.pdf)

3/25 – Board of Supervisors regular meeting, County Admin Bldg., 7 p.m. Citizen’s Time is an opportunity to address concerns not on the agenda.

3/30 – PDR Committee, County Admin Bldg, Planning Office, 6 p.m.

Filed under: 2006 Comp Plan | Leave a Comment »

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