By R. David Shew
The City of Richmond Planning & Zoning Board held its monthly meeting Wednesday May 15th. During the April meeting, the P&Z Board had voted to deny the proposed zone change for property located at Old Town Branch Road and Congleton Lane from AG (Agriculture) to R-1C and R-2 (Residential). Residents from several neighborhoods along Lancaster Road and Hampton Way spoke against the planned zone change. Their major concerns were traffic congestion on Hampton Way, the one-lane tunnel under I-75, and density or number of homes to be built on this property.
At the May meeting, P&Z were privy to another lengthy meeting where several residents voiced their concerns with a proposed zone change on Lantern Ridge Drive currently zoned B-3 (Highway Business) to R-3 (Multi-Family Apartments). Attorney Stuart Olds, representing Eric Adams and Signature Rentals, discussed the proposed zone change and future connectivity into the Brookline Subdivision. Next, Eric Adams presented his plans to build a gated apartment complex on the 15+ acres bordering I-75, the Richmond Centre, the Frazier property on Goggins Lane, and Brookline Subdivision.
For the next 90 minutes, several Richmond residents spoke against the proposed zone change regarding traffic issues, future residents’ safety walking around the shopping center, and the easement at the north end of the property currently owned by Sonny Joseph, a resident of Florida. Following the lively discussion, Olds told the Board that his client would gladly file a new deed terminating the easement for the Lantern Ridge Drive acreage.
Upon the motion of Michael Francis and second by Dr. James Miller, the Board voted unanimously to grant the proposed zone change so Signature Rentals could move forward with their plan to build a gated apartment complex.
In other business, the Board voted unanimously to release the Letter of Credit for Brentwood Trace and Sawgrass Enterprises, LLC. In addition, Scott Mandl, a resident of Heritage Place, gave a presentation to the Board concerning drainage area issues and overgrown greenspace in Heritage Place. City Manager Rob Minerich stated the city of Richmond had taken care of mowing the areas with drainage fees collected from the Richmond Utilities and were working to address these issues with the developers of Heritage Place.
