Henrico rethinks Lakeside's future after plan backlash
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Some of the photos of Lakeside included in Henrico's plan. Images: Courtesy of Henrico County
Henrico officials last month unveiled an ambitious proposal to reimagine the Lakeside corridor as part of the county's new 20-year growth plan.
Why it matters: The Board of Supervisors last week stripped the proposal from the long-term plan following pushback from some residents and business owners.
State of play: Henrico spent roughly a year developing its latest vision for Lakeside, holding community meetings beginning last summer to shape a long-term plan for the historic business district.
- The district is a roughly 1.3-mile stretch from the city-county line at Bryan Park to Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.
- The proposal was part of the county's broader HenricoNext comprehensive plan, which identifies aging and underused commercial corridors that could be targeted for reinvestment and more housing.
- The draft that Henrico's Planning Department released last month envisioned a denser, more walkable "Garden District," with mixed-used development, less traffic and new bike lanes.
Zoom in: The Lakeside plan called for:
- Reducing Lakeside Avenue from four lanes to two
- Lowering the speed limit from 35 mph to 25 mph (and from 25 to 20 on side streets)
- Adding bike lanes and street parking
- Widening sidewalks — and continuing them throughout the district
- Installing more crosswalks
- Creating a public square and dog park
- Allowing mixed-use buildings with commercial business on the ground floor and housing above — limited to three stories
What they're saying: Residents throughout the planning process raised concerns about traffic, parking, business access, increased density and preserving Lakeside's character.
- Many packed last week's board meeting before supervisors voted to remove the proposal.
- "Lakeside is not Scott's Addition. It's not Short Pump. We don't want to be those places," said Lakeside business owner Bruce Woodson of Mercer & Woodson Automotive.
- "It feels like the county has planned what Lakeside should become before listening to what Lakeside needs," said resident Patrick Oxenham, who was concerned that the plan prioritized future growth over current neighborhood needs.
Between the lines: Like Richmond's contentious Code Refresh zoning debate, the fight underscores the tension between accommodating growth and preserving neighborhood character.
What's next: The plan for Lakeside is now TBD, county planner Livingston Lewis tells Axios.
- Roscoe Cooper, Henrico's board chair and Fairfield supervisor, whose district includes Lakeside, said at last week's board meeting that he plans to meet with the Lakeside community and rework the plan.
- Those meetings haven't been set.