Taxpayer's Review Comments On The Chesterfield County Comprehensive Plan

Chesterfield County Draft Comprehesive Plan Notes
Category Contrary to Free Market Principles Page# 1 Section Executive Summary Additional Comprehensive Plan Text Introduction Effective planning is the key to Chesterfield Countys future prosperity. The county needs to anticipate and deal proactively with change, including the impact of growth, both in the short and long terms. Chesterfield County needs to objectively assess the physical and developmental challenges it faces, and put forward a unified strategy to best address those challenges. The county needs to assure that the process to achieve its planning goals is visionary, understandable, implementable and strengthened through public interaction. Doing so in innovative, dynamic and strategic ways will help to ensure that the county is best positioned to effectively guide its future, to the benefit of not only those who live or work in Chesterfield County today, but to new generations, as well. Comments / Notes In broad terms, a comprehensive plan should focus on publicly held property, facilities, rights of way, and utilities with most of the attention focused on the location of public infrastructure. The proposed plan, however, centers on private property and affects the rights of private landowners. Local governments already exert significant control when deciding on the location of public infrastructure. Private land owners should be able to decide on the basis of the plan the highest and best use of their property based upon where the public investment is. Should private property remain rural or is there a better use for it? These are questions for the property owner to decide. Additional layers in the plan focusing specifically on private property are not needed. I would encourage you to ask yourself if the recommendation, element or action is focused on publicly held property or private landowners. On page 1, for example, under Guide's the wise use of land and resources, "Chesterfield County's land and resources" is mentioned. Does this refer to public or private property? Executive Summary(1) Establishes a Countywide Vision: A New Vision For Chesterfield County provides the guidance our county needs to better guide its destiny. The Comprehensive Plans Vision, cornerstones and concepts are designed to be applied uniformly and benefit all of Chesterfield County. Promotes Economic Development and Jobs: The Comprehensive Plan takes a proactive, countywide approach to economic development and increasing employment opportunities by promoting development of a unified economic development strategy. The plan acknowledges that changing economic conditions are structural, not temporary, in nature. Meets State Law Requirements: Chesterfield County is required to revise its comprehensive plan to meet a series of new state laws, including the establishment of urban development areas. This Comprehensive Plan meets all state law comprehensive planning requirements. Why is there a one-size-fits-all approach? Page 1 mentions that the cornerstones of concepts are designed to apply uniformly. Don't pick winners and losers. On page 1, the plan mentions a countywide revitalization strategy, yet the recommendations and the elements do not focus countywide. They only focus in certain areas, thereby picking winners and losers. Don't pick winners and losers. On page 1, the plan mentions a countywide revitalization strategy, yet the recommendations and the elements do not focus countywide. They only focus in certain areas, thereby picking winners and losers.
Executive Summary(3)
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Land Use Element Overview
Is Vision Driven: The Comprehensive Plan is driven by its unifying vision, establishing a broad and fundamental philosophical foundation to address a wide array of critical concerns, but at the same time, providing flexibility in establishing new implementing strategies, regulations and programs. It appears the drafters are reluctant to mention new development on new property. In the The Land Use Element of the Chesterfield Countywide Comprehensive Plan addresses physical development recommendations that help guide land use decisions, such as zoning, site current economy, shouldn't we support all development types rather than just limiting ourselves to dense and compact development? Shouldn't we allow ourselves the opportunity to plan and subdivision review, in accordance with the Vision. The Vision calls for see what the free market bears? communities, centers, countryside and corridors that provide a balanced mix of land uses densities and lifestyle choices. The plan also mentions mixed land uses, but it appears to be reluctant to mention single use developments. We need to make it easier for job creators to invest in our community. Instead, this plan seems to assume that walking will suffice as a means of transport. Growth in CENTERS: Guide growth into CENTERS, fostering an efficient development pattern that encourages economic opportunity and reduces excessive land consumption As in the previous draft, I have a question about what is excessive land consumption. I am concerned that this plan discourages flexibility by defining where the centers are instead allowing them develop naturally. We have some centers now, and we need to focus on them, but others will be developed in the future and we have no idea where they will develop. Growth should be promoted where the free market reveals itself. The government should not pick winners and losers based on location. Unelected bureaucrats may favor properties in areas where they want development, but that is the very definition of central planning and it never has been successful. On page 21, the plan references public investments. What are the specific public investments and how much will they cost the taxpayer?
Urban development areas are included as a requirement. This concept picks winners and losers based upon who owns property within UDAs and further restricts the free market from determining the most suitable places for development. The Plan should not only omit references to UDAs, but it should also work with Chesterfield's state delegates and senators to remove this reference from the code of Virginia. Why is there a singular central planning model for the County vision? How can every goal and recommendation affect the entire County?
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Land Use Element Overview(5) Adhere to practices and regulations that recognize the fiscal impact of growth and promote land uses that stabilize and enhance the county through public and private investment while recognizing that successful land use planning depends on the active participation of many diverse groups.
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Category Contrary to Free Market Principles Page# 22 Section L2 Additional Comprehensive Plan Text Orderly Development: Foster an orderly development pattern consistent with existing and planned public facilities and transportation infrastructure. Guide growth away from areas inadequately served by transportation infrastructure, public facilities and services. Urban Development Areas (UDA): Implement Urban Development Area requirements as mandated in the Code of Virginia. Comments / Notes Would L2 & L35 be best served by decreasing density and focusing primarily on non-retail business instead of residential growth? Urban Development Areas should be removed. This language is tied to the sustainable development movement that subverts the free market and allows government to pick winners and losers. The General Assembly needs to be lobbied for removal of these provisions at the state level and should be optional, not mandatory at the local level. Would L2 & L35 be best served by decreasing density and focusing primarily on non-retail business instead of residential growth?
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Focus on Established Areas: Guide appropriate growth towards established areas. Promote revitalization and stabilization-related growth in CENTERS, CORRIDORS and COMMUNITIES. Rural Land Use Practices: Support land use practices that preserve rural land uses, working How would this effect existing land owners? Will this reduce property values? farms and forest lands. Development Flexibility: Provide greater flexibility in mixing uses for both new and existing In the plan, developmental flexibility is desirable, but new development could decrease the development property values of existing development. Mixed Uses Within Buildings: Promote mixed use, not only within developments, but within These all should be driven by the free market. buildings as well. Encourage live/work building designs in CENTERS and CORRIDORS. Residential-Commercial Transition: Support the transition of residential uses to commercial uses along CORRIDORS. Density and New Development: Promote increased land use densities as a way to foster the more efficient provision of transportation infrastructure and public facilities. Vertical and Compact Development: Where appropriate, consider densities that support building vertically rather than horizontally. Proximity of Uses: Concentrate development in CENTERS and CORRIDORS near major intersections and other transportation connections. Provide convenient connections to adjacent communities. Housing Variety: Encourage a wide variety of housing types and designs These all should be driven by the free market. Where is the balance? What about less compact, less dense development? Where is the balance? What about less compact, less dense development? Why exacerbate traffic congestion and safety at major intersections by proposing to concentrate development near them?
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I believe that the market place would produce greater housing variety if the planning department became more flexible in what it accepts. Also, we need to examine problems in how residential developments develop and make them more responsive to changes in the market place. How is the Chesterfield Planning Department going to promote this? I believe that promotion Aggregation: Promote the aggregation of properties for redevelopment and revitalization purposes. is not the job of government. Planners should instead develop policies that do not discourage aggregation. Aggregation: Promote the aggregation of properties for redevelopment and revitalization Aggregation: how will private property right infringements be monitored, tracked, and purposes. compensated? New Development: Promote new development on appropriate infill sites and redevelopment of Again the question is not how the county can promote this type of development, but what blighted properties changes the county can do to make sure they are not discouraging it. Who will define blight? What is the current definition? What about development on undeveloped land? Civic Uses: Encourage the location of civic uses, such as cultural and art centers, within These services, while nice, are not necessary. I know that conventional wisdom says they CENTERS that support them. promote economic development, but I have seen evidence to the contrary. I would prefer that funding for these types of facilities come from the private sector. Shouldnt people make these decisions for themselves? Some action taken by the County Energy Conservation: Support development that, through its location and density, promotes could actually have a negative effect by keeping the cost of the technology artificially high, energy conservation (e.g. mixed uses that reduce gasoline consumption by reducing thus distorting the market. commuting times, walkable communities, proximity to planned transit, etc). Infill Development: Promote infill development and walk-ability in areas adequately served by Infill development: please provide specific examples of how this will be promoted. How much will this cost the taxpayer? transportation infrastructure, public facilities and services that respect existing community design. Parking in CENTERS: Reduce off-street surface parking requirements and promote shared use As in the previous plan, I have an issue with this. I instead would prefer that this be done at of parking facilities in CENTERS the request of the developer(s) and encouraged by relaxing zoning requirements. Development Commitment Revision Incentives: Support land use practices and regulations How much are these incentives? What cost will taxpayer be responsible for? The government that provide incentives to developers and property owners to seek changes to stale zoning. should not be picking winners and losers. Complementary Change: Ensure that any revisions to land use policies and regulations How is the broader public benefit defined? Be specific or remove it. designed to improve the development review process are consistent with the broader public benefit and the Vision, goals, objectives and policies recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan. What types of environmental constraints are we talking about? Are they natural or legal Compatibility: Ensure development practices are compatible with environmental constraints constraints?
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Category Contrary to Free Market Principles Page# 27 Section 31 Additional Comprehensive Plan Text Green Building Standards Manual Comments / Notes First, I would prefer that any standard developed in these manuals be voluntary and not mandatory. I would also recommend that we use an award to promote them. Lastly, they should be developed with significant community input. The items in this section focus too much on the County developing solutions to problems rather than business. I would prefer that the County look at changing ordinances, codes and policies in order to make it easier to start a business. For example, intercity busing is one of the biggest transportation growth businesses. Most companies provide excellent low-cost service between cities like Richmond and Washington. In addition, county or governmental agencies too often choose to provide certain services based on bureaucratic agendas rather than on free market forces, resulting in ineffective solutions that waste limited resources. The Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan guides the provision of a transportation system that supports the Vision. The Vision states our high quality transportation system offers mobility choices, accessibility and connectivity to the surrounding region, providing access to neighborhoods and jobs in a safe and efficient manner. Transportation Element Overview(6) 29 T1 Increase local and regional mobility and transportation choices by enhancing transit services, providing viable travel alternatives, and integrating non motorized mobility into the transportation system. Congestion and Growth: Acknowledge and accept that future growth in Chesterfield County, as endorsed in the Vision, goals, objectives and policies recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan, will exceed local, state and federal ability to fund related transportation and mobility infrastructure to desired level of service standards, resulting in increased congestion and unaddressed mobility needs. Movement of People and Goods: Promote the movement of both people and goods through the transportation network via a variety of modes and by providing for intermodal connectivity, where appropriate. Develop environmentally friendly transportation facilities and infrastructure by operating and maintaining the countys transportation systems in efficient, innovative and environmentally responsible ways that respect and protect air and water quality. Bus Services: Work with local transit providers to promote bus services that meet the residential and business needs of the county, as funding becomes available. The transportation element should focus on the primary mode of transportation and not the alternatives. Where's the balance? Vehicles, both personal and commercial, deserve specific mention as a supported mode of transportation in the Comprehensive Plan. Allow the free market to provide private sector transportation services to provide accessible transportation. Increase local and regional mobility: I question the need for this, and would like to see a study looking at the use of current such such projects. This is true, and the solutions that we look at should focus heavily on allowing the private sector to provide the services needed and not the private sector.
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Transportation Element Overview In order to maintain and enhance the vitality of Chesterfield Countys established areas in accordance with the Vision, the county should seek to:
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The question that this raises is what type of actions will be taken to promote this goal?
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Again, the research I have done suggests that market forces will come up with better solutions in this area. The goal of the County is to make the necessary changes so that those solutions are easier for the private community to implement. Given the relative low cost to getting started in this business, would it not make sense to look at ways that this can be done via the free market? For example, if taxi regulations were loosened, especially those dealing with rates, this would be a good small business. What is the problem with the current system? Could that system be supplemented or even completely taken over by the Free Market? T14 should be handled by the private sector. What is the current viability of existing systems? Are there existing systems that are at least revenue neutral? If so, what makes them successful?
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Alternative Travel Needs: Work to meet the alternative travel needs of residents and employees, including those with disabilities Alternative Travel Needs: Work to meet the alternative travel needs of residents and employees, including those with disabilities. Rail Transit: Encourage the preservation and development of CENTERS and CORRIDORS suitable for commuter rail transit, as suggested in the Comprehensive Plan.
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Bicycle Route Design: Encourage bicycle travel along all planned and existing bicycle routes The addition of the phrase, "there is public support", makes this section more in the county through use of signage, shared lanes, bike lanes, or shared paths wherever, there palatable, but how much are existing bicycle routes used, especially outside of residential communities? is public support, it is safe to do so and as funding enables improvements Transit Viability: Identify transit corridors that will improve the viability and cost effectiveness of future transit services. Environmental Innovation: Incorporate innovative design, materials and maintenance practices that help preserve natural resources and minimize adverse environmental impacts from transportation facilities and technologies in the future. Public Transit Funding Again the question is raised, is the government the best solution to this issues. Would not market forces be the best means for achieving this? My main concern about these three items is that nowhere do I see discussion of their potential economic impact. What can be done to minimize the cost of these items to the citizens of the County? Public Transit Funding/Rail These are all items that I have a concern about. The history of economic viability of both public and rail transit, has been proven to be dubious. / Green Codes and Standards: Encourage the use of low impact and green building standards in Why doesnt this item support all codes and standards? revitalization projects. Public Transit Funding/Rail These are all items that I have a concern about. The history of Rail Transit economic viability of both public and rail transit, has been proven to be dubious. /
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Category Contrary to Free Market Principles Page# 35 Section Additional Comprehensive Plan Text Comments / Notes Economic Development Element The Economic Development Element of the Comprehensive Plan provides strategic guidance When the government gets involved directly in economic development, those in power tend to Overview to efforts that enhance the countys economic base in accordance with the Vision. This element pick winners and losers based on their biases and beliefs. This distorts the market place, recognizes the importance of economic development to the health and vitality of Chesterfield negatively impacting those local businesses implicitly classified as losers. County. The Vision states we are attractive to new businesses encouraging the expansion of existing businesses and promoting entrepreneurship through our community assets. I would prefer to see the County examine how to reduce and eliminate ordinances, codes and policies in order to make business start up and expansion easier. I would also like to see tax policies changed in order to enable businesses to expand without increasing their current tax burden. Economic Development Element Initiate revitalization efforts that promote business development, attract public and private Overview(7) investment, and enhance the stability of established commercial areas and communities. Allow the free market to drive revitalization efforts, not central planning.
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Economic Development Element Build community through commitments and investments in established areas and commercial The free market should decide on the location of businesses. I do not see a balanced approach Overview(8) areas and communities that build upon further enhance their continued vitality and unique in this comprehensive plan. We should broaden our economic development efforts to be assets. countywide. Economic Development Element Organize and implement revitalization efforts that maximize benefit from the efficient use of I have a problem with the use of public funds to provide money for these projects. If a project Overview(9) public and private financial resources. can not get the necessary funding from private sources, there is a reason for that, and most likely that reason is that the project is a bad investment. I work hard for the money I pay in taxes, and I do not not want to see it risked on a bad investment. Organize and implement revitalization efforts that maximize benefit from the efficient use of What will the taxpayer be forced to contribute related to public financial resources in order to public and private financial resources. organize and implement revitalization efforts? What process will be used to define those design standards? How are those design standards Economic Development Element Promote quality design of business areas through appropriate design standards for new and Overview(3) established areas. going to be applied to established areas? What will happen if an established business lacks the necessary funds to meet those design standards? Economic Development Element Promote and support entrepreneurial and small business opportunities that increase the How much will strategic business attraction and retention strategies cost the taxpayer? Will Overview(4) diversity of the countys economic base through unified and strategic business attraction and taxpayer dollars be used to retain businesses? retention strategies. Economic Development Element Promote and market the county as a FIRST CHOICE business community. Wouldnt the best way to achieve this be through the elimination or modification of existing Overview(5) codes and policies to make the County more business friendly? Economic Development Element Promote innovative economic development strategies, incentives, and financing offered Again, I have an issue with the use of public funding for private projects. There is a reason Overview(7) through local, state, and federal sources. why private funding is not available for these projects, and its often because they are not good risks. Also, is it moral to ask a person in another part of the State or country, who works hard for their money, to invest in a project here in Chesterfield? That might not be a good idea. Many of the recommendations and the economic development element appear to subvert the free market and to pick winners and losers by providing "incentives" which are gifts from the taxpayers. Allow the free market to work and make Chesterfield Countys process and structure competitive. I have major concerns about this item. Its very wording suggest that the County will be deciding what business are going to be allowed to grow and thus be retained based on the opinion of the BOS and planning staff. The fact that these types of decisions will be made is the core of the concern I have with this plan. It replaces the decision of the free market that is based on votes people cast with their dollars with the views, biases and opinions of the BOS. Also, in this section, I do not see any mention of looking at regulatory changes that can promote business retention and attraction. It appears that certain sections of the economic development element halfheartedly looked to expand business opportunities in Chesterfield County. Are we only looking for environmentally friendly and energy consumption conscious businesses? Why are you supporting economic development in the countryside? This should be a countywide effort that investigates all potential businesses with equal fervor. Again, the question that needs to be asked is: Is this the purpose of government, or should the market place decide what works and does not? Also, if the government pays for green development, it can actually slow down the implementation of these technologies by relieving the downward pressure the market place has on price. Doesnt this lead to the County and other government bodies picking winners and losers? Shouldnt the market be making these decisions?
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Business Retention: Support the retention and growth of existing businesses that enhance the economic development Vision, goals, and recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan.
Economic Development Element Retain, actively plan for, and promote the location and enhancement of environmentally Overview(2) friendly and energy consumption conscious economic development in the county and encourage revitalization efforts that incorporate, protect, and enhance natural features that improve community livability and aesthetics. Economic Development Element Retain, actively plan for, and promote the location and enhancement of environmentally Overview(2) friendly and energy consumption conscious economic development in the county and encourage revitalization efforts that incorporate, protect, and enhance natural features that improve community livability and aesthetics. Incentive Coordination: Promote and enhance efforts to coordinate incentives and funding E11 available through local, state and federal sources.
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Category Contrary to Free Market Principles Page# 38 Section E13 Additional Comprehensive Plan Text Comments / Notes Revitalization Incentives: Promote financial incentives, such as Enterprise Zones, Technology The problem with government financial incentives is that they tend to run counter to the Zones and tax assistance/exemptions for the rehabilitation and redevelopment of commercial financial disincentives of the market place. For example, the house bubble was caused by and industrial properties. similar financial incentives provided by the Federal Government that ran counter to the disincentives the market place was placing on those loans. We know who was right about that. Just look at current house values. Business Attraction: Support the attraction of new businesses that enhance the economic I have major concerns about this item. Its very wording suggest that the County will be development Vision, goals, and recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan. deciding what business are going to be allowed to grow and thus be retained based on the opinion of the BOS and planning staff. The fact that these types of decisions will be made is the core of the concern I have with this plan. It replaces the decision of the free market that is based on votes people cast with their dollars with the views, biases and opinions of the BOS. Also, in this section, I do not see any mention of looking at regulatory changes that can promote business retention and attraction. Business Retention Incentives: Promote incentives and financing to support existing businesses I have major concerns about this item. Its very wording suggest that the County will be and keep them in the county. deciding what business are going to be allowed to grow and thus be retained based on the opinion of the BOS and planning staff. The fact that these types of decisions will be made is the core of the concern I have with this plan. It replaces the decision of the free market that is based on votes people cast with their dollars with the views, biases and opinions of the BOS. Also, in this section, I do not see any mention of looking at regulatory changes that can promote business retention and attraction. Business Attraction Incentives: Promote incentives and financing to support the attraction of I have major concerns about this item. Its very wording suggest that the County will be new businesses to the county. deciding what business are going to be allowed to grow and thus be retained based on the opinion of the BOS and planning staff. The fact that these types of decisions will be made is the core of the concern I have with this plan. It replaces the decision of the free market that is based on votes people cast with their dollars with the views, biases and opinions of the BOS. Also, in this section, I do not see any mention of looking at regulatory changes that can promote business retention and attraction. Complementary Business Attraction and Retention Strategies: Promote business attraction and I have major concerns about this item. Its very wording suggest that the County will be retention strategies that are complementary to both new and existing businesses. Provide deciding what business are going to be allowed to grow and thus be retained based on the incentives that attract new businesses unique in Chesterfield County within their market area. opinion of the BOS and planning staff. The fact that these types of decisions will be made is the core of the concern I have with this plan. It replaces the decision of the free market that is based on votes people cast with their dollars with the views, biases and opinions of the BOS. Also, in this section, I do not see any mention of looking at regulatory changes that can promote business retention and attraction. Reminds me of a recent Solyndra expenditure. Green Industry: Pursue the creation, retention and expansion of green industries and energy related commercial activities in the county. Is "Green Industry" economically viable? My research on the subject suggests that it might not be. For example, my research shows that for every new green job, 2 existing jobs are lost due to the increased cost of doing business. We also now have the example of Solyndra, a good example of what happens when a select few use tax money to promote their biases, views and objectives. Commercial Area Gateways: Support public and private investment in the improvement of the I raise the issue of public investment in these projects. appearance and access to commercial gateways. What could be the negative economic impact of these new codes and standards? For example, Green Codes and Standards: Encourage the use of low impact and green site/building standards in economic development projects. how much could we see in the increase in the square foot cost of a home? How will we know if the selected technologies are the best of their type? Would not the market place be the best judge of what technologies are economically viable? Mixed used development is great when it is market driven. My concern is that this plan seems Mixed Use: Incorporate employment uses into mixed use developments in CENTERS and CORRIDORS. to be geared towards the County BOS and planning department deciding what type of development is going to be done where rather than the market place. Density/Intensity: Promote increased development densities and intensities where appropriate Can you provide more specifics on this subject and how this would be achieved? to promote economic development. Live/Work Buildings and Mixed Uses: Encourage developments that provide opportunities to Again the question is raised, is this not the job of the market place? I know some will claim mix residential and employment uses in the same building. that the market place cannot be trusted. My counter is that the problems in the past were not created by the market place but by the action of the BOS. Higher Density Housing: Encourage the retention and development of higher density housing Again the question is raised, is this not the job of the market place? I know some will claim within appropriate CENTERS. that the market place cannot be trusted. My counter is that the problems in the past were not created by the market place but by the action of the BOS.
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Category Contrary to Free Market Principles Page# 41 Section E44 Additional Comprehensive Plan Text RURAL CENTERS: Ensure compatible and limited rural business uses in RURAL CENTERS that provide limited convenience services to the surrounding COUNTRYSIDE areas. Comments / Notes Many of the economic development recommendations pick geographic winners and losers. Such as this on, that restricts the free market principle for businesses to locate where the private landowner feels the market will support their business. Several recommendations in the economic development element should focus more on publicly held property than privately held property. An audited system should be established to monitor property right infringements so they can be prevented, tracked, and compensated. There are several constitutional amendments presented in this year's General Assembly to better protect private property from public use and overreach. Agricultural and Forestal Land Preservation: Support the preservation of viable agricultural Agricultural and forest land preservation is not an economic development recommendation. It and forestal lands. should be eliminated. Coordinate Land Use and Economic Development: Pursue coordination of land use and Many economic development principles restrict themselves to centers and corridors. Some economic development planning for effective land development in designated CENTERS and restrict them only to countryside or revitalization areas. Economic development should be a CORRIDORS. countywide element and not focused on a few areas of the county. Economic Research: Develop economic research and analysis reports that support data-driven What checks are going to be put in place to make sure the research governs policy and not decision-making. policy governing or influencing the research? Inward Focus: Promote efforts that focus public and private investment on growing inward, On page 42, E 54, who defines blight? How will a definition be fixed to protect private not just outward, renovating declining infrastructure and public facilities, encouraging new property rights? housing and businesses to locate in existing CENTERS, CORRIDORS, and COMMUNITIES, fighting crime, and eliminating blight. Mixed Use: Promote mixed use developments in revitalization areas as a means of enhancing Let the free market determine what the proper land use and transportation services ought to be economic development in CENTERS and CORRIDORS and creating multi-modal transit and provided. pedestrian environments. Stimulate Economic Development: Undertake appropriate efforts in CENTERS and Stimulating economic development should be a countywide priority, not just located in centers CORRIDORS to identify zoning, regulations, infrastructure, and public realm improvements and corridors. It should include the phrase "remove burdensome zoning and regulations to necessary to stimulate economic development. release the citizens entrepreneurial spirit. Brownfield/Greyfield Redevelopment: Pursue incentives and encourage redevelopment of Within the economic development recommendations, there are many places where incentives environmentally degraded and obsolescent, outdated or underutilized sites. are used to subvert the free market and create false markets. Will taxpayer dollars be used as incentives? What is the opportunity cost? . Transportation: Develop a transportation system that supports accessibility between workers Again the question is raised, is this not the job of the market place? I know some will claim and jobs in the county. that the market place cannot be trusted. My counter is that the problems in the past were not created by the market place but the action of the BOS. Rail Access: Promote the economic development advantages of conventional and high speed Can you provide the economic advantages of conventional and high-speed rail through the rail through the county. County? All my research on the subject seems to indicate that rail, especially high speed and commuter rail, is not self sufficient and requires government tax dollars to pay the bills. Recreational Attractions: Strengthen and promote the countys indoor and outdoor recreational Would it not make more sense to achieve this goal, by transferring the responsibility of these assets, including parks, historic areas, sports and other types of facilities, as resources for functions to the private sector? For example, here in Virginia, the National Bridge and Luray tourists, businesses and residents. caverns are privately owned and protected by that private entity. Other localities and states have met with success in doing this. Commercial Enhancements: Support public and private investments and improvements in I raise the issue of public investment in these projects. commercial areas that enhance building and infrastructure conditions, attracting customers and visitors. Business Partnerships: Develop partnerships with local economic development and business Would this not be better handled by the free market system and by loosening the regulations organizations to gauge and respond to changing economic needs that make it harder to react to those changes? Government and Economic Development: Increase the role of the countys government as a This is clearly wrongheaded. Economic development should be led by businesses and the cooperative partner and a facilitator of economic development efforts. community with both supported by the government, not the other way around. My concern is that by increasing the role of the County, we will replace the collective view of the market place with the views, biases and objectives of a select few. I would much rather that the County develop a more open process to streamline regulations and processes in order to promote development while, at the same time providing the necessary guidance and direction that the citizens want. Economic Development Strategy: Expand upon the Vision, goals and recommendations of the The issue with this is who is going to be involved in this annual review? It would seem that with an annual review, the input from the public on recommended changes will be minimal. Comprehensive Plan through annual updates to the economic development strategy for the This can lead to the abuse of power by a select few. county Affordable/Workforce Housing: Promote quality and sufficient affordable/workforce housing Again the question is raised, is this not the job of the market place? I know some will claim as an economic development marketing tool. that the market place cannot be trusted. My counter is that the problems in the past were not created by the market place but the action of the BOS. Asset Marketing: Promote awareness of the economic assets and diversity of Chesterfield Would not the money spent in attracting new business, be better spent in promoting and County to attract highly skilled residents building locally owned business?
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Category Contrary to Free Market Principles Page# 45 Section E105 E93 Additional Comprehensive Plan Text Regional Marketing: Work with regional marketing partners to market the county regionally, nationally and internationally. Employment Growth: Achieve an employment ratio of at least one job in Chesterfield County for every resident worker. Comments / Notes Would not the money spent in attracting new business, be better spent in promoting and building locally owned business? What studies point to this being the ideal ratio? Would it not make more sense to focus on nonresidential development to achieve this goal? If so, why does this plan promote an increase instead of a decrease in residential density? Quality Employment Opportunities: Promote economic development initiatives that will Would it not make more sense and be better for current residents to focus on helping existing increase and attract high paying, quality employment opportunities Chesterfield County business to expand or local residents create new business? For example, what can be done to relax regulations that currently have negative pressure on new and existing businesses? Shop Chesterfield: Encourage county residents, and those of adjacent jurisdictions, to shop in Would not people be more likely to shop Chesterfield if the businesses are locally owned? Chesterfield County. Workforce Skill Diversity: Support workforce training programs that respond and adapt to the Is this the role of the County, or should this not be the responsibility of the individual? Could changing needs of the countys current and future employers. not this allow the biases of those in charge to effect what is available rather then the market place? Is this the role of the County, or should this not be the responsibility of the individual? Could Workforce Training: Promote workforce training initiatives, and encourage coordination among all county workforce training providers, including the public school system. not this allow the biases of those in charge to effect what is available rather then the market place? Working and Living in Chesterfield County: Promote opportunities for people to both live and Again the question is raised, is this not the job of the market place? I know some will claim work in Chesterfield County that the market place cannot be trusted. My counter is that the problems in the past were not created by the market place but by the action of the BOS. Fund Revitalization Efforts: Identify reliable funding sources and tools adequate to undertake Within the economic development recommendations, there are many places where incentives and maintain revitalization efforts. are used to subvert the free market and create false markets. Will taxpayer dollars be used as incentives? What is the opportunity cost? The Housing Element of the Comprehensive Plan addresses recommendations that help guide What is the driving force behind the decisions that will guide this Element? Is it going to be housing decisions, such as location, type, design and fiscal impacts, in accordance with the the desire, biases, views and objects of a select few (ie the BOS) or what the market place is Vision. The Vision calls for broad housing choices for all people regardless of their age, asking for, or some combination of both? If it is not going to be the market place that is the background, income or stage in life. driving force, what tools are going to be used to force the market place to conform to the view of the select few? On page 47, local government should have very little role in the housing element. The free market principles of supply and demand will react to needs. The nonprofit sector and other charitable organizations should take the lead role in the housing element. This section should be short and sweet. For the key bullets under the housing element, the nonprofit and private sector should be mentioned specifically as being providers of housing in the County. Government should not be in the housing business. Housing is a free-market issue. The housing element should be placed alongside the land-use element in the back of the Comprehensive Plan and be an insignificant local government focus. Nonprofits and the private sector should lead the housing conversation. I like seeing this here. It does address some of concerns above, but is policy going to drive research or is research going to drive policy? The first will lead to bad decisions and policies that will hurt the County. We must make sure that we guard against it as best we can. The fourth bullet recommends that the county "balance housing location with provision of adequate fiscally responsible public services and facilities. It actually should be the other way around since the Comprehensive Plan should only really speak to public facilities. "Balance public facilities and services" Why cant the free market provide a variety of housing options, designs, mixes, and prices? This is not the role of a central planner. Many of the housing recommendations should be rewritten to encourage the private and non- profit sector to provide it. Why cant the free market provide a variety of housing options, designs, mixes, and prices? This is not the role of a central planner. Many of the housing recommendations should be rewritten to encourage the private and non- profit sector to provide it. Why cant the free market provide a variety of housing options, designs, mixes, and prices? This is not the role of a central planner. Many of the housing recommendations should be rewritten to encourage the private and non- profit sector to provide it.
E94
E96 E97
E98
E99
46
E107
47
Housing Element Overview
Housing Element Overview(10) Recognize and be prepared to address changes in housing market demand through proactive planning and flexible regulations.
Housing Element Overview(4) Balance housing location with provision of adequate and fiscally responsible public services and facilities.
48
H2
Housing Location: Promote a mix of housing types within newly developing communities throughout Chesterfield County.
H26
Housing Rehabilitation: Promote the rehabilitation and maintenance of older residential dwellings in established neighborhoods.
H4
Housing Accessibility: Encourage the provision of accessible and age-in-place housing opportunities.
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Category Contrary to Free Market Principles Page# 48 Section H5 Additional Comprehensive Plan Text Senior Housing: Encourage housing for the elderly designed to meet their special needs for services, including independent living, assisted living and nursing facilities. Working from Home: Encourage housing options that allow for teleworking and other workfrom-home opportunities that do not generate clientele traffic or other negative impacts on nearby residents Live/Work Housing: Encourage the development of mixed use live/work housing where appropriate and compatible with the surrounding area. Comments / Notes Why cant the free market provide a variety of housing options, designs, mixes, and prices? This is not the role of a central planner. Many of the housing recommendations should be rewritten to encourage the private and non- profit sector to provide it. I again I raise the issue that the provision, "do not generate clientele traffic" in H 6 is too broad. There are businesses that generate clientele traffic of such a low volume that it has no negative impact on nearby residents.. I would strike that part and leave the rest Why cant the free market provide a variety of housing options, designs, mixes, and prices? This is not the role of a central planner. Many of the housing recommendations should be rewritten to encourage the private and non- profit sector to provide it. For the housing element, please explain how the balance between residential development and the protection of the natural environment is envisioned. Please provide specific examples or eliminate this. Why cant the free market provide a variety of housing options, designs, mixes, and prices? This is not the role of a central planner. Many of the housing recommendations should be rewritten to encourage the private and non- profit sector to provide it. I like the change of the wording from "partner" to "work with," but it does not address my original concern. Can you please tell me what makes a person a housing expert? Would not the home-builders be the best judge of what types of homes will sell in the county? Why cant the free market provide a variety of housing options, designs, mixes, and prices? This is not the role of a central planner. Many of the housing recommendations should be rewritten to encourage the private and non- profit sector to provide it.
H6
H7
49
Housing Element Overview(2) Foster the efficient use of residential land, conservation of natural resources, easy access to transportation and the use of renewable energy resources in the design, maintenance, and location of housing in Chesterfield County. H11 Affordable/Workforce Housing for Young Adults: Promote affordable housing options for young adults first entering the housing market to encourage their residency in Chesterfield County. H12 Awareness and Organization: Collaborate with national, regional and community based groups working to promote affordable/workforce housing.
H18
Housing Design and Materials: Promote innovative community designs, building practices, fire-safe materials and design practices.
H8
Housing Affordability: Encourage the provision of affordable/workforce housing for Chesterfield County residents at various levels of income.
50
H20
Why cant the free market provide a variety of housing options, designs, mixes, and prices? This is not the role of a central planner. Many of the housing recommendations should be rewritten to encourage the private and non- profit sector to provide it. Could this not lead to the County picking winners and losers based on the policy views of those in the government versus the needs of the citizens of the County? Universal Design: Encourage the incorporation of Universal Design principles for safety and Why cant the free market provide a variety of housing options, designs, mixes, and prices? accessibility into new housing. This is not the role of a central planner. Many of the housing recommendations should be rewritten to encourage the private and non- profit sector to provide it. Why cant the free market provide a variety of housing options, designs, mixes, and prices? This is not the role of a central planner. Many of the housing recommendations should be rewritten to encourage the private and non- profit sector to provide it. Why cant the free market provide a variety of housing options, designs, mixes, and prices? This is not the role of a central planner. Many of the housing recommendations should be rewritten to encourage the private and non- profit sector to provide it. Why cant the free market provide a variety of housing options, designs, mixes, and prices? This is not the role of a central planner. Many of the housing recommendations should be rewritten to encourage the private and non- profit sector to provide it. What will be the increased cost for these building practices? Why cant the free market provide a variety of housing options, designs, mixes, and prices? This is not the role of a central planner. Many of the housing recommendations should be rewritten to encourage the private and non- profit sector to provide it. There are long-term counter-intuitive negative consequences of implementing this recommendation to encourage conservation easements. Over time, a significant amount of land can limit future generations from productive enjoyment of their private property due to artificial incentives offered by the County. There needs to be an inventory of the current number of acres that are restricted and conserved. A goal should be set in terms of total acres to be conserved and the policy should sunset once that goal is reached. There is a real fear that too much land will be conserved and limit our future prosperity. How will these designs and building practices affect the cost of building in the County?
H27
Assets and Features: Encourage the incorporation of natural assets and features into the site planning of residential developments.
H28
Clustering: Encourage residential cluster development to maintain larger tracts of open space.
H29
Open Space: Encourage the preservation of open space in new residential developments.
H30
Green Building Practices: Encourage green building practices for residential developments
H32
Conservation Easements: Encourage the use of conservation easements in conjunction with residential development to promote preservation of key rural and other natural areas.
H33
Energy Conservation: Pursue innovative housing designs and building practices that promote energy conservation
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Category Page# 51 Section H36 H37 H41 Additional Comprehensive Plan Text Housing Density in CORRIDORS and CENTERS: Encourage higher density residential development in CORRIDORS and CENTERS. Housing and Mixed Use: Encourage residential and commercial mixed use development that promotes living within walking and biking distance of employment opportunities Financial Markets: Use reports that document data, such as foreclosures and short-sales, and their impacts on the local housing market to help anticipate future trends. Comments / Notes Given the problems with the overloaded infrastructure in the County, would it not make more sense to decrease density? What are the negative consequences on these types of developments? Is this not the job of the developers and the banks? Would they not be able to perform these jobs better without government intervention? Again, I bring up the housing bubble that was caused by government desires overriding the market place's judgment. Will Taxpayer dollars be used as incentives in H 43, Multifamily Housing?
Contrary to Free Market Principles
51
53
Financial Incentives: Consider financial incentives to promote the housing goals and recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan. Financial Impact of Housing Construction: Promote the regular assessment of county financial How much weight will be given to the increased cost to the home builder? H45 policies and regulations relating to housing construction to determine 1) the cost to the county to provide facilities and services for new housing construction, and 2) the costs to homebuilders to comply with county policies and regulations. Natural, Cultural and Historical The Natural, Cultural and Historical Resources Element of the Comprehensive Plan provides On page 53, preserving natural cultural and historic resources for future generations could Resources Element strategic guidance to efforts that protect and enhance the countys natural, cultural and have unintended negative long-term consequences. Purchase of development rights could historical resources in accordance with the Vision. This element recognizes the importance of remove valuable land from the economy and impact it in ways that we cannot foresee today. our natural, cultural and historical resources to economic development and the general well- See N7, N8 N10, N 17 and N19. being of Chesterfield County and its residents. The Vision states that our natural, cultural and historical resources are protected, preserved and enhanced; providing economic benefit, The natural cultural and historical resources element should focus more on publicly held opportunities for the enjoyment of our residents and visitors and education for all citizens. We property than privately held property. have access to our natural resources through a system of green-ways and trails, bike paths and walkways; and livable streets.
H43
54
55 56
60
Natural, Cultural and Historical Promote and maintain the use of green infrastructure features to perform natural functions such On Page 54, will tax dollars be used as incentives to promote and maintain the use of green Resources Element(1) as cleaning air and water and controlling stormwater runoff as well as balance the economic infrastructure? benefits of natural resource extraction. Waterfront Lands: Capitalize on the economic value of scenic waterfront land through On page 55, N6, please provide examples of conservation and proper development practices. N6 conservation and proper development practices. Please be specific or eliminate this. Development Pattern: Encourage compact forms of development among designated N19 Where's the balance? Why would only compact development be encouraged? COUNTRYSIDE, COMMUNITIES, CENTERS and CORRIDORS in order to maximize open space and natural areas. Tourism: Support the growth of education and tourism efforts relating to Chesterfield Countys Could these functions not be handled better by private groups, instead of the government? N25 recreational, natural, cultural and historical resources. N26 Parks and Events: Provide a quality county park system with diverse facilities as a means of Could these functions not be handled better by private groups, instead of the government? aiding economic development efforts through sports and eco-tourism. Q3 Would it not make more sense for these decisions to be made by the free market? Green Development Practices: Support public and private projects that incorporate green development practices for sites and structures where appropriate. What specific green development practices are proposed? Please be specific or eliminate this. Q4 Green Codes and Standards: Encourage the use of low impact and green site/building standards in economic development projects. Natural Resources Management: Promote the use of green infrastructure features to perform natural functions such as cleaning air and water and controlling storm-water runoff. Green Building: Promote the use of third party green building certification systems in the design of public facilities where appropriate Reduction: Encourage installation of low-flow plumbing fixtures and testing mechanisms for leak detection. Provider: Identify the Chesterfield County Department of Utilities as the sole provider of public water and waste-water facilities within the county. Would it not make more sense for these decisions to be made by the free market? Please provide specific examples of which low impact or green site standards will be encouraged or eliminate this On page 60, what specific green infrastructure features will be promoted? Be specific or eliminate this. I like the inclusion of the phrase where appropriate, but would like also to see the inclusion of "and cost effective with a ROI of <= 10 years". Isn't there a current issue with low flow fixtures and effective waste-water treatment? Why is this desirable? Could not a better water treatment and water system be provided by the private community? What is wrong with the free market and competition? Why do we need the sole provider of public water and waste-water facilities in the County? Why is there a proposed monopoly for the service? What is wrong with the free market and competition? Why do we need the sole provider of public water and waste-water facilities in the County? Why is there a proposed monopoly for the service? Is there any reason why should we prohibit the use of privately owned and operated wastewater treatment?
Q7
67 71
P27 W16 W8
72
W21
Private Systems: Prohibit the use of privately owned and operated waste-water treatment plants for residential or commercial developments except as required under state law.
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Category Page# 117 Section 51 Additional Comprehensive Plan Text Public Transit Funding: Identify funding sources that can be used to provide local matching funds for needed transit operating expenditures. Build consensus to justify and maintain a reliable transit funding source. Comments / Notes The the free market should be allowed to handle this function. The primary job of the county should be looking at ways to eliminate rules and regulation that stand in the way of private companies providing these types of services. Transit rarely pays for itself and often leaves left less tax dollars for more important things like public safety and roadway maintenance. How many potholes will be created because weve spent more transportation money on a service that is underutilized and even subsidized by state workers who ride for free. How is it fair that a state worker can get on a bus for free while a taxpayer has to pay up at the fare box? Can rail be self funding? My research to date has shown that it does not achieve this goal.
Contrary to Free Market Principles Crony Development Practice
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49 51
H9 H43
Focused on Private Property Rights
16 20
Q21 Land Use Element Overview
23
L19
Rail Transit: When rail transit markets are realized, seek support from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation to study the feasibility of rail transit services as generally identified in the Transportation Plan. Public-Private Partnerships In public-private partnerships, the public is frequently used to guarantee the debt of the project. This removes the risk from those positioned to make money. If the County enters into these types of partnerships, it should not guarantee the risk. No public money should be invested without significant guarantees against loss. Consolidated Plan - Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program I have problems with grant programs like this, whether the County is the recipient or the one making the grant. They tend to distort the market place by replacing the opinion of the market place with the opinion of the politicians. Affordable Housing Partnerships: Promote the use of public-private partnerships to support Does this not move the risk for developing these types of development from the developer to development of affordable/workforce housing the County citizens? Financial Incentives: Consider financial incentives to promote the housing goals and Isnt it possible that developers could make the wrong decision because of the effect of this recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan funding? For example, could too much housing be built because the County mistakenly promoted that type of housing? Lawn Care Pollutant Costs: Reduce artificial nutrient loading associated with managed lawn How can these items be monitored, to make sure we are not infringing on peoples property care to meet water quality standards. rights? The Land Use Policy Element of the Chesterfield Countywide Comprehensive Plan addresses The land-use element should be placed in the back of the Comprehensive Plan and its effect on physical development recommendations that help guide land use decisions, such as zoning, site private property should be so minor that is never mentioned. The true focus of the plan and subdivision review, in accordance with the Vision. The Vision calls for Comprehensive Plan should be on public facilities public utilities and public rights of way, not communities, centers, countryside and corridors that provide a balanced mix of land uses, private property. The land use element selects geographic winners and losers and this practice densities and lifestyle choices. needs to end. The Comprehensive Plan should simply say what the County is going to build and maintain. The taxpayers are smart enough to figure out the rest. If you want to preserve rural areas, just don't place public facilities there. Mixed Uses Within Buildings: Promote mixed use, not only within developments, but within Are "mixed used" buildings going to be encouraged as infill for existing developments? buildings as well. Encourage live/work building designs in CENTERS and CORRIDORS. Ancillary Dwellings: Promote the use of permanent ancillary dwellings to foster greater housing options. My first concern is that this will be used as backdoor way to create rental properties on or in existing single-family residences. The other concern is based on a code change that came before the BOS that allowed a separate kitchen, bath and living area for elderly family members, but came with a restriction of bi-annual inspections. Also are these dwellings separate or part of the existing dwellings? Can we get a list of the identified green-ways? What possible negative effects will this have on current property values in that area? I have serious concerns with going in this direction. First, while negotiated reviews are slow, the process is more flexible. Second, Chesterfield County already has too much development, especially in the residential and retail sectors. I feel that increasing automatic approval will make this problem worse, not better. Should we also not take into consideration the existing land uses in the area? Should that not be the primary determining factor?
25
L47
L56 26 L59
green-ways: Foster development that connects to or complements identified green-ways
L62
27
10
28
26 Transportation Element Overview(9)
Review Conformity: Promote regulatory practices that encourage uniform, regulation-based development applications rather than negotiated reviews through site-based special applications. Encourage conditions and proffers that support the Vision, goals, and recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan. Complementary Change: Ensure that any revisions to land use policies and regulations designed to improve the development review process are consistent with the broader public benefit and the Vision, goals, objectives and policies recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan. Tree Preservation Study I am not in favor of this. My research has shown that property owners can use these types of ordinances to adversely affect the property rights of their neighbors. I would prefer that the County educate the community to promote this goal. Open Space/Recreation Requirements for Residential and Commercial Development I have concerns about the effect on the property rights of property owners. The problem is that while the plan tries to project where new roads are needed, the odds are Acquire rights of way where needed to accommodate the development of future multimodal that they will be wrong. The BOS has recently heard cases where right of ways were given up transportation infrastructure and incorporate design solutions that protect the quality of because the projects they supported were not longer viable or needed. communities and provide a continuous, connected and accessible network.
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Category Page# 32 Section T33 Additional Comprehensive Plan Text Comments / Notes Right of Way Changes: Consider the overall impacts to the immediately affected street for all What compensation will be made to landowners whose land has been devalued by right of way modes of travel when changes to rights of way are proposed changes? On what will it be based? Will it be based on the value of the land before or after the changes? Consistency: Encourage changes to transportation rights of way that are consistent with their What compensation will be made to landowners whose land has been devalued by right of way street classifications as identified in the Thoroughfare Plan changes? On what will it be based? Will it be based on the value of the land before or after the changes? Future Needs: Plan for the dedication and acquisition of parcels of land that may be needed in This raises concerns about property rights and the county taking property that it might not use the future for any transportation purpose later, because plans change. Agricultural and Forestal Land Preservation: Support the preservation of viable agricultural How is this going to be done with out excessive infringement on the rights of a property and forestal lands. owner? Local Food: Support locally based food production, processing, distribution and consumption I believe this is a good idea, but the question is what code changes are going to be made to in Chesterfield County. promote this idea. For example, right now, for a property owner in a residential area to raise chickens or rabbits for meat, he must get a zoning variance that costs $1,000.00. We should reexamine things like that, and make reasonable changes so that people can raise chickens for eggs or rabbits for personal consumption if they so desire, as long as they do not negatively impact their neighbors. Universal Design: Encourage the incorporation of Universal Design principles for safety and What is the negative economic impact of incorporating these Universal Design principles into accessibility into new housing new housing? Residential Infill: Encourage residential infill development on vacant and underused property Will this infill conform to existing housing in this area? in established communities, promoting quality design and construction standards that will enhance surrounding areas Code Enforcement and Compliance: Promote expanded proactive housing code enforcement Please explain how this would work without infringing on a person right to be secure in their and compliance persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches. green-ways: Encourage new and established communities to connect to green-ways. Can you give examples of how this will be accomplished? Conservation Easements: Encourage the use of conservation easements in conjunction with How will this affect the property values of property owners with conservation easements residential development to promote preservation of key rural and other natural areas. placed on them? What compensation will be made to them? How will that compensation be calculated? Will that calculation be based on the value of the property before or after easement is considered? green-ways Network: Encourage recreational and alternative transportation opportunities for What will be the cost of doing this to the County and existing property owners? Chesterfield County residents and visitors by developing a network of natural green-ways that promote walking and bicycling. The Natural, Cultural and Historical resources element should focus more on publicly held Cultural and Historical Partnerships: Develop and maintain partnerships with federal, state and local historical groups and foundations to more effectively preserve and manage cultural property than privately held property. and historical resources in the county. Prime Agriculture and Forest Land: Encourage the preservation of prime agricultural and Who makes the determination of what the "best management practices" are? If that is not the property owner, then could not the practices infringe on their property rights? forest lands and related operations that are conducted in accordance with best management practices. Prime Agriculture and Forest Land: Encourage the preservation of prime agricultural and How can these items be monitored, to make sure we are not infringing on peoples property rights? forest lands and related operations that are conducted in accordance with best management practices. Agricultural and Forestry Viability: Promote the economic viability of agricultural and How can these items be monitored, to make sure we are not infringing on peoples property forestry operations by planning for appropriate buffers on surrounding land use. rights? Farmland and Forest Preservation: Encourage the use of farmland and forest preservation On page 55, please provide examples of farmland preservation techniques. Please be specific techniques. or eliminate this. Conservation Easements: Support the dedication of conservation easements on both private The Natural, Cultural and Historical resources element should focus more on publicly held and public lands with the assistance of non-profit and other private sector organizations. property than privately held property. Conservation Easements: Support the dedication of conservation easements on both private and public lands with the assistance of non-profit and other private sector organizations. What effect will these easements have on the private property owners? Will this have a negative effect on their property values? What restrictions will this place on their use of the land? Historical Designation: Support local, state and national historical designations for privately The Natural, Cultural and Historical resources element should focus more on publicly held and publicly owned historic structures. property than privately held property. The Natural, Cultural and Historical resources element should focus more on publicly held Historical Easements: Support the dedication of historical preservation easements on both property than privately held property. private and public structures and lands with the assistance of non-profit and other private sector organizations. What involvement will the existing properties owners have in this process? Im asking because they are not mentioned here. Fragmentation: Encourage development patterns that reduce the fragmentation of open spaces How can these items be monitored, to make sure we are not infringing on peoples property in efforts to maintain connectivity within eco-systems and natural landscapes. rights?
T34
T43 Focused on Private Property Rights 41 45 E45 E106
50
H20 H22
H25 H31 H32
54
N1
55
N10
N11
N11
N14 N16 N17
N17
N7 N8
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N20
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Category Page# Section N21 N24 60 Q11 Q2 Additional Comprehensive Plan Text Comments / Notes Habitat Protection: Protect the habitat of plants and wildlife of special concern as indicated on How can these items be monitored, to make sure we are not infringing on peoples property the Virginia Natural Heritage Resources database. rights? Land Development Practices: Protect the environment through guidelines for land development Please identify specific guidelines for land development that protect open space and greenthat protect open space and green-ways ways. Air Quality: Reinforce the beneficial values of indigenous vegetation and forested areas on air I have seen problems with these types of programs. One example would be requiring a land quality. owner to remove all non-native species from their property during a remodel. Open Space and Conservation Easements: Promote developments and practices that preserve How will this effect the property rights of current and future landowners? open spaces and create conservation easements. (
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Category Focused on Private Property Rights Page# 60 Section Q6 Q6 Q8 Additional Comprehensive Plan Text Tree Preservation: Foster tree preservation throughout Chesterfield County Tree Preservation: Foster tree preservation throughout Chesterfield County. Comments / Notes How will tree preservation be conducted? How can these items be monitored, to make sure we are not infringing on peoples property rights? How can these items be monitored, to make sure we are not infringing on peoples property rights?
Q9
Green Infrastructure Strategy: Expand upon the Vision, goals, and recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan through development of a detailed green infrastructure strategy for Chesterfield County. Natural Resource Inventory: Address natural resources within proposed developments during How can these items be monitored, to make sure we are not infringing on peoples property the rezoning process through a concurrent, case specific, natural resources inventory. rights? Water Quality: Promote water quality through management strategies that provide developments of all densities the ability to comply with existing and future regulations by employing innovative techniques. Water Resources: Encourage land uses that incorporate innovative ways to conserve and manage water resources. Funding Alternatives for Storm-water Regulation: Seek funding alternatives for storm-water management to meet emerging state and federal storm-water management regulations. How can these items be monitored, to make sure we are not infringing on peoples property rights?
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Q15
Q16 Q22
How can these items be monitored, to make sure we are not infringing on peoples property rights? How can these items be monitored, to make sure we are not infringing on peoples property rights?
Q23
Q24
Septic System Failures: Prevent environmental degradation due to the failure of on-site septic How can these items be monitored, to make sure we are not infringing on peoples property systems by requiring they be replaced by the property owner; or connected to the public waste- rights? water system, if the failed system is within a planned public waste-water service area and a I have concerns about how this will be implemented so as to not infringe on the property rights funding source has been determined through the establishment of an assessment district or by of existing home owners. acquiring available Watershed: Continue to implement and update the Watershed Management How can these items be monitored, to make sure we are not infringing on peoples property Upper Swift Creek grants. Master Plan and Maintenance Program for the Swift Creek Reservoir Watershed. rights? Watershed Planning: Develop detailed watershed strategies for each watershed that supplies drinking water for Chesterfield County. Disturbance: Discourage disturbance activities on steep slopes adjacent to shorelines of drinking water sources that are outside of the 100-foot setback. Steep Slopes: Encourage the preservation of streams and habitats through development practices that protect and stabilize steep slopes. Flood Plain: Acknowledge development restrictions in 100 year flood plain. Proactive Acquisition: Reserve and/or acquire land for future public facility sites in anticipation of long-term demand. Private Septic System Failures: Consider the need for future extension of public waste-water facilities, subject to the feasibility of service and availability of funds, where private on-site systems are failing. Landscape Regulations: Revise landscape regulations to improve the quality of species used and planting practices in keeping with Virginia Cooperative Extension Service and Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) recommendations regarding native species, hardy species, and species in need of either control or preservation. Tree Preservation Study: The current Zoning Ordinance requires the preservation of existing trees within setbacks and buffers, unless removal is necessary to accommodate vehicular access and/or utilities that run generally perpendicular through the setback or buffer. Initiate a study exploring additional circumstances where mandatory preservation of existing trees, by ordinance, would be desirable. Green Infrastructure Strategy: Prepare a strategy to establish an interconnected network of natural areas including water, wetlands, forests, wildlife habitats, green-ways, parks, historic and cultural areas, working farms Watershed Master Strategies: Prepare equivalent and comprehensive watershed master strategies for each of the major watersheds of Chesterfield County that will guide decision making towards improving and protecting water quality of streams, lakes, reservoirs and rivers, with priority to those watersheds that provide drinking water to the county. These strategies will take into consideration water quality regulations such as the Clean Water Act, Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL), the Chesapeake Bay Ordinance and the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit. Study the current system for coordination of environmental mitigation in Chesterfield County, including publicly and privately owned wetlands mitigation banks and stream mitigation projects. How can these items be monitored, to make sure we are not infringing on peoples property rights? How can these items be monitored, to make sure we are not infringing on peoples property rights? How can these items be monitored, to make sure we are not infringing on peoples property rights? How can these items be monitored, to make sure we are not infringing on peoples property rights? How can these items be monitored, to make sure we are not infringing on peoples property rights? How can these items be monitored, to make sure we are not infringing on peoples property rights? Would it not be better to continue the current educational programs? These seem like they could infringe on the rights of property owners.
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Q25 Q28 Q34 Q35
68 71
P40 W20
108
109
10
Would not extending the restriction beyond what is listed here further infringe on the rights of property owners? For example, in some areas of the Country, a residential property owner cannot remove a tree on his property without permission of a governing body, even is this tree is placing his home in danger. What compensation will be made to private property owners effected by this strategy?
111
21
115
41
Could this have a negative effect on the value of private properties? If so how will private property owners be compensated?
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Category Focused on Private Property Rights Page# 115 Additional Comprehensive Plan Text New Collector Roads: In reviewing development plans recommend the identification and designation of collector roads (to carry more traffic than local streets) within the subdivisions and connecting to the arterial street network. Implementation Element: The most recent bicycle planning effort in Chesterfield County is the proposed construction of Transportation: Bicycle and the East Coast Greenway (ECG). According to its website, the vision for the East Coast Pedestrian Recommendations Greenway is a long-distance, urban and shared use trail system that connects many of the major cities along the east coast from Calais, Maine to Key West, Florida. The proposed alignment of the ECG through Chesterfield County is planned through the eastern part of the county. The ECG proposed alignment shown is current as of 2008. No construction efforts have been initiated in Chesterfield County. L7 Rural Living: Promote public understanding about living in rural areas in terms of land uses, potential nuisances, public service expectations and other similar topics Economic Development Element Promote community awareness about the advantages of county economic development Overview(10) activities and efforts. E80 Education of the Public: Promote education of the public efforts to inform the public of the benefits and necessity of economic development, and its value in maintaining a strong tax base. E80 Education of the Public: Promote education of the public efforts to inform the public of the benefits and necessity of economic development, and its value in maintaining a strong tax base. Federal and State Funding: Where appropriate, coordinate initiatives supported by funding Chesterfield County receives from federal and state sources Integration Funding: Pursue federal and state funding to support multimodal transportation planning and the integration of transportation and land use Transportation Improvement Funding and Community Grants Section 44 Comments / Notes How would this effect existing property owners? Where would we find roads that have been marked as being upgraded to a collector road? Where would we find the current designation of existing roads? How will this effect the property rights of current and future landowners along this greenway?
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Lobbying Citizens with Taxpayer Funds
22 35 44
Please go into more detail about what this program involves. It is unnecessary to promote community awareness about the advantages of County economic development activities and efforts. Please remove this. I find this very concerning, having the County Government use tax payer dollars to lobby the Citizens, to garner support for the agenda pushed by those in government. This is totally opposite of the way or government should work. The Citizens, should be lobbying the County Government and pushing for what they want. On page 44, E 80 is not necessary. Each involved County employee should take a course in small business ownership and go through the process to establish a business in the county. Can rail be self funding? My research to date has shown that it does not achieve this goal. Again with regard to funding would it not make more sense for the county to move towards self sufficiency? All of these items require Federal and State funding. The County should examine how we can reduce our reliance on these sources of funding. How can we make sure that the results will be beneficial to the county?
Loss of Local Elected Official Power
25 33 34 44 60
L57 T52 54 E85 Q10
Regional Collaboration: Partner with neighboring localities and regional organizations to promote tourism and economic development in the region. Coordination of Regulatory Requirements: Address state and federal regulatory requirements How will the Country make sure that these decision are in its best interest? for environmental impacts including storm-water management at the site design review stage.
Not specific enough
Plan in general
How does this vision make more efficient patterns for future growth plans? Remember that other mixed-use high density areas also have higher tax rates. The public facilities plan, the transportation plan, and water/waste-water treatment plan should be the focus of the Comprehensive Plan. Changing the word "policy" to "recommendation" does not change the direction of the Comprehensive Plan. Many of the goals and objectives listed in the Comprehensive Plan are perfectly fine for public property (utilities, rights-of-way, easements, facilities, etc.); but, they are terrible for protecting private landowners from unelected bureaucrats. First any studies, strategies, formulation and special projects should encourage and allow for extensive community input. Second, when doing ordinance reviews, the primary focus should be in reducing them and/or making them more flexible. Finally these studies, reviews or plans should have citizen input from a wide range and variety of sources. Effective planning is the key to Chesterfield Countys future prosperity. The county needs to anticipate and deal proactively with change, including the impact of growth, both in the short and long terms. Chesterfield County needs to objectively assess the physical and developmental challenges it faces, and put forward a unified strategy to best address those challenges. The county needs to assure that the process to achieve its planning goals is visionary, understandable, implementable and strengthened through public interaction. Doing so in innovative, dynamic and strategic ways will help to ensure that the county is best positioned to effectively guide its future, to the benefit of not only those who live or work in Chesterfield County today, but to new generations, as well. The plan is vague when it needs to be specific and the concrete examples mentioned limit the scope of the recommendations. Broad statements do not limit the potential impact of the administration through well-intentioned, yet unelected bureaucrats. Often the taxpayers are left wondering what does this mean. How will my property rights be affected?
Executive Summary
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Category Not specific enough Page# 1 Section Executive Summary(3) Additional Comprehensive Plan Text Promotes Economic Development and Jobs: The Comprehensive Plan takes a proactive, countywide approach to economic development and increasing employment opportunities by promoting development of a unified economic development strategy. The plan acknowledges that changing economic conditions are structural, not temporary, in nature. Comments / Notes On page 1 of the plan, "changing economic conditions are said to be structural, not temporary in nature". What does this mean? What if "no growth" is decades long? What if additional regulations recommended in this plan further burden private property owners? What has the current growth rate been over the past five years?
Objectively Anticipates Future Needs: This Comprehensive Plan establishes a factual basis for On page 2, the comp plan references "the counties needs and aspirations". Does a County have coordinated decisions affecting Chesterfield Countys future. Because the plan is based on needs or do individuals have needs? Does accounting have aspirations do individuals have objective analysis of the countys needs and aspirations, the plan can be used as a foundation aspirations? for future data driven decisions. Which regulations are being proposed for elimination? Streamlining regulations does not mean Promotes Regulatory Flexibility: The Comprehensive Plan promotes establishment of regulations that emphasize innovative and implementable practices with set standards. It "explain". How does this comp plan make land-use decisions more consistent and fair? encourages streamlining of regulations so that land use development decisions are consistent, fair and cost effective. The Importance of Creating and Maintaining Livable Places: Innovative and cost effective On page 4, the plan uses the phrase "livable communities". This is a buzzword about approaches are needed in creating new communities and keeping established ones healthy and everybody walking and bicycling. How would the freedom to move about in your car be viable. The Comprehensive Plan promotes the concept of livable communities by mixing affected? Please remember that there are many Third World utopian societies that are car-less compatible land uses with mobility options and planning for people not for cars. Emphasizes the Value of Interrelationships: The plan recognizes the importance of linkages in developing sound future planning. Interrelationships between our mutual objectives must be understood. Provides Recommendations To Amend and Update the Plan: The Comprehensive Plan establishes recommendations to update the plan every five years. Page 5 contains a reference to "mutual objectives". Please specify the objectives or eliminate this.
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12
Page 6 contains a recommendation to update the comprehensive plan every five years. If the past two years are any indication of the expense and the threats to personal property, we say kindly no thank you. An update every 10 to 15 years is more than enough. In general, updating the Plan every five years seems expensive and very redundant. We should strive to create tighter page restrictions and more focused plans that center on public property. This plan should be simpler so that it is more easily understood by the public and therefore would not require high enforcement. In general, we want to know how private property right infringements will be monitored and reported. The primary role of government is to protect our rights. Introduction Many plans are built upon a collective vision. The Chesterfield Countywide Comprehensive On page 7, please identify the underlying framework of principles to create the vision Plan, however, has been carefully crafted so that each goal and recommendation in the plan is statement and their origin. directly derived from one of the cornerstone themes that arise from the Vision. This is critically important for the internal consistency of the Comprehensive Plan and its goals and recommendations, and it will help county leaders make adjustments to the plan in future updates, without losing sight of the underlying framework of principles established in the Vision. Introduction: Special Area Plans Special Area Plans include areas within Chesterfield County that, because of their importance Special area plans are mentioned and are contrary to the one-size-fits-all, countywide vision and uniqueness, require more detailed analysis than can be provided in the broader countywide statement mentioned previously. recommendations of the comprehensive plan. These special area plans will adhere to the Chesterfield Countywide Comprehensive Plan while providing specific considerations for identified special areas. Specific area plans included are: Introduction: Implementation 3. Modeling and the Comprehensive Plan From this initial testing of preferred future land use What are the underlying biases found in the computer models that will support the analysis Element and transportation scenarios or patterns, the plan incorporated additional computer models to and development of the plans? I bet it favors high density. support the analysis and development of the transportation, public facilities and land use plans individually as critical cornerstones for implementation in the future. While these models are not intended for adoption as part of the Comprehensive Plan, they form the foundation for the plans data driven analytical structure of the desired Vision. 4. Online Technical and Supporting Documents The Online Technical and Supporting Documents contain supporting documentation and instructions for plan implementation. The Online Technical and Supporting Documents accompanies the Comprehensive Plan, but will not be adopted as part of the plan. All Online Technical and Supporting Documents material is posted on the Chesterfield Countywide Comprehensive Plan website at: www.chesterfield.gov/cp. Finally, unless the online technical support documents can be proactively managed by elected officials, these should be eliminated. (By the way, these documents currently are not found online.) Unelected bureaucrats do not necessarily represent the same principles shown by our elected officials. Unelected bureaucrats should not be in a position to change administratively, the intent and reach of the adopted comprehensive plan through administrative means.
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Category Not specific enough Page# 12 Section Introduction: Implementation Element Additional Comprehensive Plan Text Comments / Notes The Implementation Element contains the components necessary to carry out the plans goals As part of the implementation process, an internal audit should be conducted annually and recommendations. It is the part of the plan where those responsible for its implementation regarding each proposed action. The audit would contain three performance measurements. can find direction and guidance. The Implementation Element is made up of the following: The first would be the cost estimate and time-frame accurately stated and adhered to. The second would check to see if the proposed action approved in the resolution was the same action promulgated by the adopted resolution. Finally, the third performance measure would focus on the impact on private property rights and set up a monitoring system to track potential property right infringements and any compensation required. The taxpayers are concerned about a common ploy used by the administration to rush actions through without proper vetting. This resolution system will address that concern. It also prevents the camel's nose of the comprehensive plan entering the taxpayers tent. Action Matrix: This matrix provides specific future courses of action to implement this Comprehensive Plan, including identifying implementation time frames and responsible departments and agencies. The Board should remove the implementation action matrix from the Comprehensive Plan. The code of Virginia states "The comprehensive plan shall be general in nature, in that it shall designate the general or approximate location, character, and extent of each feature, including any road improvement and any transportation improvement, shown on the plan and shall indicate where existing lands or facilities are proposed to be extended, widened, removed, relocated, vacated, narrowed, abandoned, or changed in use as the case may be. On page 9, the plan states a comprehensive plan is a guide" and goes on to say "this comprehensive plan provides fundamental guidance". Since this Plan only provides guidance, the Board should not formally adopt any part of the action matrix as it would take a step beyond what a comprehensive plan should actually accomplish. Instead, we recommend a framework established by the Board of Supervisors within the Comprehensive Plan. All action found within the action matrix and any other implementation steps should remain in the administrative component of government. When a specific action is ready to move forward, it can be advanced by the administration in the form of a resolution. Each resolution should contain only one topic and focus on an action from the matrix. We recommend that this resolution contain the following key pieces of information: a specific explanation to the citizens of what action is planned, the benefits, any potential liabilities such as negative effects on property rights, the cost, and the proposed timeframe. This would allow citizens, through their elected officials, to have input into the process, to vet the proposed action, to protect their private property rights, and to create transparency with the administration.
Introduction: Implementation Element(1)
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Category Not specific enough Page# 13 Section Achieving The Vision Additional Comprehensive Plan Text In the year 2035, Chesterfield County is a great place to live, work and play, with a strong economy, an efficient and open government, and vibrant neighborhoods. It is composed of communities, centers, countryside and corridors that provide a balanced mix of land uses, densities, and lifestyle choices. Our high quality transportation system offers mobility choices, accessibility and connectivity countywide and to the surrounding region, providing access to neighborhoods and jobs in a safe and efficient manner. Our natural, cultural and historical resources are protected, preserved and enhanced; providing economic benefit, opportunities for the enjoyment of our residents and visitors and education for all citizens. We have access to our natural resources through a comprehensive system of green-ways and trails, bike paths and walkways; and livable streets. We have villages and centers where jobs, housing, public facilities, cultural opportunities and recreational activities are within walking distance of one another. We also have places that are quiet, rural and serene. Together, the range of places in the county offers a varied community and a high quality of life that supports the countys economy and the social health and well being of our residents. We manage our resources, both natural and man-made, to establish and maintain our well being, making us resilient to changing economic forces. Through effective planning we maximize critical linkages between jobs, housing and transportation. To further enhance the countys economic future, we successfully promote the quality of our schools, communities and built environment, pedestrian accessibility and broad housing choices for all people regardless of their age, background, income or stage in life. Our communities are vibrant and stable places; attractive to private investment through financial commitment to the public realm. They are unique places that balance infill and revitalization efforts with new development and build upon their architectural, historic and natural assets to create or strengthen our sense of community within both new and existing places. We are safe and well-served countywide by our public services. We have an outstanding school system and educational opportunities that include job training, workforce development and higher education. We are attractive to new businesses - encouraging the expansion of existing businesses and promoting entrepreneurship through our community assets which include our well-trained workforce, our quality of life, our infrastructure and our community reinvestment. Through data-driven decisions, our land development planning practices are consistent and predictable. We practice fiscal responsibility, balancing reasonable revenue expectations with our ability to provide timely and cost-effective facilities and services. Through our collaborative work with neighboring jurisdictions, we have achieved a level of regional cooperation that benefits our residents. Ensuring that our actions are of maximum benefit to all county residents, we are pragmatic in our approach to planning boldly for our future. We confidently navigate evolving realities pertaining to the national economy, housing, energy and sustainability to achieve our vision. We are strong and resilient and excited about the possibilities the future will bring. We are innovative and diligent in implementing our comprehensive plan, understanding that implementation is a collaborative effort between government, business and residents. Our success is measured not by the aspirations of our vision, but by what we have achieved for ourselves and for future generations. Not specific enough 13 Achieving the Vision: Linking the The Five Cs: Chesterfield Countys built and natural form is organized around the concept of Comprehensive Plan Together the Five Cs: Centers, Corridors, Community, Countryside, and Connections. These Five Cs form the foundation for future recommended land development patterns, and are further articulated through the Land Use Plan Map (See Chapter X, Implementation Element). Achieving the Vision: The Cornerstones of Our Vision Chesterfield Countys Vision is further refined by a series of principles, or cornerstones, forming the foundation for each elements goals and recommendations. These five overall cornerstone goal themes are: quality of life, economic growth, building community, fiscal responsibility and environmental quality. On page 13, the five C's are mentioned as a foundation for future development. This foundation picks winners and losers geographically and should be eliminated. The County needs to clearly articulate what it plans to do on proposed public facility sites. The proposed foundation does not protect our basic rights of life, liberty, and property. On page 15, three items listed under "quality-of-life" do not seem to speak to quality-of-life issues. These are: lifestyle choice, accessible and connected, and unique and compatible. Comments / Notes Please explain how each vision statement developed in the planning process. If public input was as great as claimed, significant changes would have become apparent as public comments were received. As they show little change, one could safely say that this vision statement was written with little actual community input. Please demonstrate how the public influenced the vision statement.
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Category Page# Additional Comprehensive Plan Text Comments / Notes D. The Cornerstones of Our Vision Chesterfield Countys Vision is further refined by a series The 10 cornerstones do not necessarily reflect or capture the desire for the Comprehensive Plan to protect our rights to life, liberty, and property. of principles, or cornerstones, forming the foundation for each elements goals and recommendations. These five overall cornerstone goal themes are: quality of life, economic growth, building community, fiscal responsibility and environmental quality. Lifestyle Choices: Our community will offer a broad mix of land uses, densities and lifestyle On page 15, under the heading lifestyle choice, please explain what broad and inclusive land uses you had in mind. choices ranging from higher intensity mixed use centers and corridors to quiet rural countryside with open land, farms and forests. People of all income levels will feel comfortable in our neighborhoods and communities. Our mix of land uses will be broad and inclusive, providing expansive employment opportunities for our citizens in industry, business, retail, education, government, agriculture and forestry. Achieving the Vision: Building Focused On Service And Education: Our county organization will be responsive to community What does the bullet "Focused on Service and Education" have to do with fiscal responsibility? Community needs by providing efficient, equitable, safe, accessible, orderly and consistent delivery of public services. Educational opportunities and alternatives will be provided for the benefit of our citizens, to develop our workforce and to provide for lifelong learning. Welcoming and Inclusive: Chesterfield County will offer a variety of housing opportunities for On page 16, does the term Chesterfield County refer to the administration, the private all, where property owners take pride in their property and the quality and stability of sector, or both? Please clarify what part of public reinvestment the taxpayer will be covering. neighborhoods is enhanced and maintained through public and private reinvestment. Are there any limits to what the taxpayer will be on the hook for? Achieving The Vision: Environmental Quality Play and Preserve: Our residents, businesses, and visitors will have opportunities to enjoy our On page 17, Please define "environmentally sensitive areas" with great specificity; natural landscape and understand our historic past in a manner that fosters appreciation of environmentally charged ordinances are often adverse to private property rights. natural beauty, educates the public and provides recreational choices. Our parks and open spaces throughout the county will be connected and supported by a comprehensive system of greenways and trails to provide enjoyable and healthful transportation alternatives and linkages between communities. We will respect and protect Section
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17
Achieving The Vision: Directing Centers: Higher intensity destinations for us to live, work and play villages and mixed use On page 17, isn't high density more expensive? Where is the balanced approach mentioned in Growth and Change: The Five Cs places. Centers are focal points for existing and future growth that include our villages, the beginning of the Comprehensive Plan? How will private vehicles and commercial vehicles business and mixed use commercial centers. They are places targeted for higher density be supported in the "centers"? housing choices, concentrations of civic uses, businesses and mixed use development. New employment opportunities served by a transit system designed to support higher intensity uses gravitate to these compact, walkable destinations with an interconnected street network supporting local and regional recreation, entertainment, shopping, and jobs. Many existing villages and centers have capacity for significant new growth through infill development and intensification as well as redevelopment of underused sites as the county makes improvements and enhancements to supporting infrastructure and public facilities. On page 17, where are the rural communities? The presence of private landowners in the Communities: Large and small - a variety of choices for all people who make Chesterfield "countryside guarantees that the area will never be a wildlife preserve. Please remove the County their home or place of work. Our communities are developed places that generally "except for our countryside" statement. occur in the spaces between our corridors and centers - excluding our countryside. They include more than one thousand neighborhoods and are primarily low density residential areas with limited medium density housing. Neighborhood scale commercial, office, civic and service uses located nearby provide for our daily needs. Our communities are the glue of Chesterfield County. They make us unique in the region and their continued vitality and stability is critical to our future. Communities in the future will require enhancement and preservation with a greater emphasis on safe, convenient and comfortable pedestrian and bicycle movement, additional street connections to improve accessibility, and new low to medium density housing located in places where infrastructure capacity is present.
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Not specific enough
18
Achieving The Vision: Building General Goals: These are general countywide goals that apply to carrying out the Vision. They On page 18, under general goals, there should be a broad range of choices listed in our vision Goals are listed below. statement. As varied as individual goals are, there needs to be a diverse set of principles centered on protecting our natural rights to life, liberty, and property. Achieving The Vision: Directing Connections: Livable streets, greenways, trails and paths greater accessibility and mobility On page 18, we seem to struggle with being able to mention private vehicles in supporting the Growth and Change: The Five Cs through connectivity countywide and to the region beyond. Connections are our source of infrastructure necessary for their use. We do not mention expressways, highways, arterioles, vitality. Linking people to jobs, activities and one another is achieved by cultivating a network and collectors to support private vehicle use and commercial vehicle use. These certainly need of accessible travelways, greenways and trails designed to be safe for drivers, bicyclists, to be included as they are the mark of advanced civilization. We need to make statements that transit users and pedestrians of all ages and abilities. Centers and corridors are natural focal support the major use of private and commercial vehicles alongside pedestrian and bicycle points providing opportunities to establish a sense of place and a means of strengthening traffic. That would be a balanced approach. community life. Coupled with supportive development patterns, connections among our road, pedestrian, bicycle and transit networks can create better options for living, working and playing in the county.
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Category Page# 19 Section General Goal 3: Fiscally Responsible Growth and Development Additional Comprehensive Plan Text Use the Comprehensive Plan to ensure the efficient, effective and fiscally responsible use of county resources, and provide a fair and equitable distribution of public facilities and services for current and future residents. Provide appropriate and equitable measures to pay for needed public facilities and services, using both public and funding private sources. Comments / Notes I had mentioned above that I thought we needed some sub goals. I have a few suggestions derived from comments I had made in the previous plan. 3.1 Identify areas where our current infrastructure is lacking, and investigate ways to resolve those problem areas. 3.2 Investigate ways that move services other then those related to safety, schools, and basic utilities from the public to the private sector. 3.3 Investigate ways to make the current budget easier to understand. In the process, include ways to identify the sources of income and any requirements attached to those sources for each expense item. 3.4 Implement an online checkbook for the County. Several localities in the area have done this, with positive results. 3.5 Investigate ways to lower the cost of new infrastructure projects, without sacrificing quality. 3.5 Investigate ways to fund infrastructure and other government projects other then state and federal funds.
Use the Comprehensive Plan to ensure the efficient, effective and fiscally responsible use of The "fair and equitable distribution of public facilities and services" is contrary to previous county resources, and provide a fair and equitable distribution of public facilities and services statements made. You want the same service levels for everyone or you want to favor density. for current and future residents. Provide appropriate and equitable measures to pay for needed We can't have it both ways. public facilities and services, using both public and funding private sources. General Goal 4: Comprehensive Develop processes, procedures and tools to implement the Comprehensive Plan, and to monitor The update process should make a point to incorporate input from various groups in the Plan Implementation the success of its implementation. Update the Comprehensive Plan every five years to remain County. I would suggest a registration process where interested groups could sign up to host current and relevant. meeting(s) with those working on the update. Also, all work meetings should allow for a period of community input, processes, procedures and tools to implement the Comprehensive Plan, and to monitor the success of its implementation. Update the Comprehensive Plan every five years to remain current and relevant. General Goal 5: Managing Manage Chesterfield Countys development processes collaboratively, involving both the On page 19, instead of balancing regulatory needs with market practicalities, how about Growth and Development private and public sector, so that land use development decisions are consistent, fair and cost creating a list of regulations to remove. effective. Balance regulatory needs with market practicalities to achieve development that supports the Vision contained in the Comprehensive Plan. Land Use Element Overview The Land Use Element of the Chesterfield Countywide Comprehensive Plan addresses On page 20, the land use element should be a less important part of the Comprehensive Plan. physical development recommendations that help guide land use decisions, such as zoning, site The Plan should focus on preserving private property landowners rights. plan and subdivision review, in accordance with the Vision. The Vision calls for communities, centers, countryside and corridors that provide a balanced mix of land uses densities and lifestyle choices. Land Use Element Overview(2) Strengthen established communities through infill development and compatible revitalization. I would like several things from previous plans to be removed. Plan for community based public facilities that support and strengthen communities. 1) What types of infill will be allowed? The biggest concern is that the infill is compatible with the existing development. 2) What type of community-based public facilities will be planned? I would prefer that the County examine how to make it easier for community organizations to create these facilities. L11 L2 Rural Quality of Life: Promote programs that preserve rural quality of life. Orderly Development: Foster an orderly development pattern consistent with existing and planned public facilities and transportation infrastructure. Guide growth away from areas inadequately served by transportation infrastructure, public facilities and services. Urban Development Areas (UDA): Implement Urban Development Area requirements as mandated in Section 15.2-2223.1 of the Code of Virginia. This item is unnecessary and should be removed from the plan. Orderly development does not need to be recommended. The plan should just focus on public infrastructure. I have two issues with this part. First, it is not clear what is required by Section 15.2.2233.1 of the Code of Virginia. Second, the reference to that section of the Code of Virginia should not be removed. Please identify the specific rural land-use practices or remove this.
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L3
Not specific enough
22
L5 L6 L7 L8
Rural Land Use Practices: Support land use practices that preserve rural land uses, working farms and forest lands. Rural Land Use: Encourage property owners in COUNTRYSIDE areas to maintain their land What does this encouragement look like? Be specific or remove this. in rural uses. Rural Living: Promote public understanding about living in rural areas in terms of land uses, This item is unnecessary and should be removed from the plan. potential nuisances, public service expectations and other similar topics. This item is unnecessary and should be removed from the plan. Public Facilities and COUNTRYSIDE: Acknowledge that levels of service for public facilities in COUNTRYSIDE areas will be less than in the developed areas of the county.
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Category Page# 23 Section L16 Additional Comprehensive Plan Text Comments / Notes Land Use and Service Levels: Promote understanding that the planned land uses recommended This item is unnecessary and should be removed from the plan. by the Comprehensive Plan may not be supported by a uniform level of public facilities and services across the county. Density and New Development: Promote increased land use densities as a way to foster the Given the fact that the current infrastructure of Chesterfield county is being overloaded, would more efficient provision of transportation infrastructure and public facilities. it not make more sense to move towards decreasing residential density instead of increasing it? Vertical and Compact Development: Where appropriate, require consider densities that support building vertically rather than horizontally. Rehabilitation: Support the rehabilitation of aging housing and public facilities. I like seeing that the word required has been replaced by the word consider. This lessens my concern about the effects on existing land use, but the primary concern should still be compatibility between the two. The rehabilitation of housing is not a function of government. The most government should be doing is not getting in the way of those that want to perform this function, more then necessary. This item is unnecessary and should be removed from the plan. Please go into more detail into what you mean by "physical building form" vs "segregation of uses" as an organizing land use principle. Please give an example of a "new urbanest" concepts in land use regulations. How will you go about doing this? Can you give an example?
L21
L22
24
L31
L37 L39
Strengths of Established Communities: Build on the strengths and assets of established communities. Building Form: Foster a more predictable and higher quality built environment by using physical building form rather than segregation of uses as an organizing land use principle. Design Innovation: Use innovations in land development practices and incorporate new urbanest concepts into land use regulations. Street Design: Promote street design that respects community form, as well as accommodating automobiles, pedestrians, bicyclists and future transit Design Innovation: Use innovations in land development practices and incorporate new urbanest concepts into land use regulations. Connectivity: Consider connecting COMMUNITIES to adjacent development and public facilities, through streets, sidewalks and/or trails when appropriate.
L40 L41 25 L40 L45
L53 26 L60
L63 L64 L66
27 28
39 Transportation Element Overview(4) Transportation Element Overview(5) Transportation Element Overview(8) Transportation Element Goal
Not specific enough
29
Transportation Element Overview(1) 30 T12
The term design innovation, is overly broad and vague. Please provide specific examples or remove it. I like the updated wording of L45 much more than the wording it replaced from the previous plan. Having said that, I believe that L45 eliminates the need for section L46. If you want to connect communities with certain facilities, then those communities should already have those facilities. I would consider combining these two sections. I also have question about how this would affect existing communities. Social Engagement and Interaction: Promote developments and designs that encourage social This item is unnecessary and should be removed from the plan. engagement and create welcoming places. Regulation Streamlining: Ensure that land use regulations are simple to understand and easy to In addition to streamlining regulations, why not identify regulations that could be reduced or read by using illustrations, charts and graphics wherever possible. eliminated? Private landowners would more readily enjoy their property and use it in the best way that they see fit, unconstrained by unelected bureaucrats. Innovative Development: Support innovative development proposals that implement the Please be specific about what you mean by Innovative Development, by describing what Vision, goals, and recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan. qualifies as innovative and what types of support are required or eliminate it. Compatibility: Ensure development practices are compatible with environmental constraints. Please be specific about how development practices will be compatible with environmental constraints by providing specific examples or eliminate it. Protect Economic Development Opportunity Locations: Prohibit residential development in Please define what areas will be specifically targeted or eliminate this language. proximity to the airport and any areas where residential/commercial compatibility conflicts could occur. This line does not make sense now that the second part of it has been eliminated. My Focused Strategies suggestion is to strike all of it. Invest in transportation solutions that provide long term benefit while minimizing construction, What are the proposed long-term investment solutions? Be specific. operation and maintenance costs to current and future taxpayers. Provide equitable access and mobility to users, while minimizing adverse environmental What is meant by equitable access and mobility? If this means ADA compliance, then just say impacts. so. If it means everyone has a right to free mobility, please eliminate it. Provide and preserve a safe and efficient transportation system that will meet the range of The plan also references "a range of mobility needs". What does this mean? Be specific. mobility needs of citizens while balancing costs and community impacts and incorporates context sensitive design and technology. Support safe and efficient transportation facilities that accommodate multimodal transportation A traffic safety topic area should be included. With 2600 entries per year, Chesterfield options and meet mobility needs of the community and commerce. County is one of the top jurisdictions for injury and death from motor vehicle crashes in Virginia. Chesterfield needs a local traffic safety plan to bring together engineering enforcement education and emergency response. Develop environmentally friendly transportation facilities and infrastructure by operating and What are environmentally friendly transportation facilities? Please be specific and provide maintaining the countys transportation systems in efficient, innovative and environmentally examples responsible ways that respect and protect air and water quality. Can you give examples of the how these goals will be achieved, and their potential negative Congestion: Minimize the impact of congestion on commuters and the movement of goods. effects?
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Category Page# Section T13 T15 T16 Additional Comprehensive Plan Text Comments / Notes Bus Services: Work with local transit providers to promote bus services that meet the On page 30, T13, T15, T16, and T17 could all be combined into one. residential and business needs of the county, as funding becomes available. Transit Oriented Development: Encourage the use of transit oriented/focused developments, as On page 30, T13, T15, T16, and T17 could all be combined into one. suggested in the Comprehensive Plan. Rail Transit: Encourage the preservation and development of CENTERS and CORRIDORS On page 30, T13, T15, T16, and T17 could all be combined into one. suitable for commuter rail transit, as suggested in the Comprehensive Plan. Multimodal Corridors: Where feasible ensure that transportation improvements within CENTERS and CORRIDORS are designed to enhance transit options, as well as enhance bicycle and pedestrian mobility. Balanced Modal Access: Transform key roadways into multimodal corridors that incorporate and balance a variety of mode choices, where appropriate. LOS Flexibility: Encourage a flexible approach to LOS standards that considers community needs, community and environmental constraints and multimodal planning objectives. Transit Funding: Seek out new funding sources for transit needs. Bicycle and Pedestrian Funding: Seek a wide range of funding sources for bicycle and pedestrian facilities.. Transit Viability: Identify transit corridors that will improve the viability and cost effectiveness of future transit services. Transit Use: Promote the use of transit by automobile users who have access to transit services. On page 30, T13, T15, T16, and T17 could all be combined into one.
T17
T19 T6
This needs to balance mobile access while retaining or improving existing vehicle level of service. How will conflicts between the existing community character, and the LOS standards will be resolved? Which gets priority? T20, T22, T23, and T24 should be combined into one. Does not mention funding for private vehicle or commercial vehicle capacity improvements. Where's the balance? T20, T22, T23, and T24 should be combined into one. T20, T22, T23, and T24 should be combined into one.
31
T20 T21 T22 T23 T24 T25
Alternative Modes for Non Drivers: Support the use of alternative transportation modes that T20, T22, T23, and T24 should be combined into one. may increase mobility of non drivers Where feasible ensure that transportation facilities and infrastructure support county quality of Can you give an examples of how a context sensitive design technique will accomplish this? life objectives by employing context sensitive design techniques in new and established areas. Connections Between Developments: Enhance mobility and connect communities by providing This does not mention connections between communities using private vehicles or commercial convenient and safe bicycle and pedestrian connections between new and established vehicles. CENTERS, CORRIDORS and COMMUNITIES where appropriae. Regarding speeding, make sure that the appropriate design speed is selected to match the New Development: Protect quality of life by identifying and addressing potential traffic proposed operating speed. calming concerns that may result from a new development and ensuring that the developer places emphasis on making streets less desirable for speeding and cut-through traffic. Could you please give examples of traffic calming measures and how they are used. What effect will they have on the communities? Consistency: Encourage changes to transportation rights of way that are consistent with their T34 should not have the label Consistency. It should be labeled Functional Classification street classifications as identified in the Thoroughfare Plan. and Use. Consolidated Access: Preserve traffic flow by consolidating access points to minimize Can you give an example of how this would work? What effect would this have on existing driveways along major CORRIDORS. and future developments? Can you give examples of how the goal of minimizing automobile use be done? What Inter-connectivity: Ensure inter-connectivity between CENTERS, CORRIDORS and negative impacts on the community could this have? What would happen if the goal is not COMMUNITIES by focusing on pedestrian oriented improvements and minimizing achieved? automobile use. This is just ridiculous. What will replace private vehicle use? Horse-drawn rickshaws? We need a real comprehensive plan that provides a balanced transportation approach where private vehicles, commercial vehicles, transit, pedestrians, bicyclists, and even horses are supported. Where are these guidelines? What are their possible negative impacts? Access Management: Support access management techniques that meet or exceed VDOT guidelines and that focus on context sensitive and fiscally responsible designs that emphasize appropriate local access while balancing safety and capacity. Context Sensitive Design: Enhance the quality of communities through transportation planning Can you give example of a context sensitive design? processes that consider context sensitive designs, community values and incorporate community identity and citizen input. Capacity: Provide additional capacity to meet the growing travel demand needs of the county T 39 should be changed from Capacity to Traffic Capacity and include private vehicles in a prioritized manner. and commercial vehicles. Signal Coordination: Improve traffic flow and safety by suggesting to VDOT to optimize Traffic operation improvements should also include a review of current lane assignments at signal timings and responsiveness to traffic conditions. signalized intersections. Fair Share of Funding: Work with the Commonwealth Transportation Board, the General What is the Countys fair share of funding? Is it based on how much tax Chesterfield citizens Assembly and related advocacy groups to obtain the Countys fair share of state funding pay the state and federal government? Is it calculated by using the population of the County? Is fairness based on the total number of miles of roads in the County? The problem is that what one considers fair, another will consider unfair.
T28
T30
32
T34 T35 T36
32
T37
T38
Not specific enough
32
T39 T44
33
T51
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Category Page# Section T53 T56 34 34 43 T58 Additional Comprehensive Plan Text Travel Demand Management (TDM) Programs: Encourage efficient and effective TDM programs countywide and require TDM planning in REGIONAL CENTERS. Stormwater Management: Promote the use of state of the art stormwater collection systems in transportation improvements. Travel Demand Management Requirements (TDM) Transportation Best Management Practices No Improvement Roads: The following Thoroughfare Plan roads have been identified as roadways that should not be improved: Route 60 through the Village of Midlothian, Route 10 through Chester Village, Buford Road, Forest Hill Avenue, Old Gun Road, Old Buckingham Road, Winterfield Road, and Ruffin Mill Road from Ashton Park Drive to Ramblewood Drive. Comments / Notes What specific TDM requirements will be imposed? How will private property right infringements be prevented, tracked, monitored, and compensated for? What does the state-of-the-art storm water collection system and transportation improvements cost? How many potholes will not be filled? Travel Demand Management: What does this means? What does it require? Transportation Best Management: Where are these defined? What do they entail? In regards to Ruffin Mill Road, not improving that road and putting in the East West Freeway are contradictory goals. Currently Ruffin Mill Road is getting tractor trailer traffic between route 10 and Ashton Park. If you put in the East West Freeway you will increase that traffic, everybody I have talked to regarding this issue basically has admitted it. There is only three options to resolve this. Widen Ruffin Mill road, extend Aston Part Drive across the river to 295 or not build the East West Freeway. Looking at all three my recommendation is to not build the East West Freeway. For two reason, one it is the cheapest and two building the road is contrary to the goal of the plan to protect the countryside. This is mislabeled. Improvements could occur on these roadways however, these roads are slated not to be widened. The label should be changed to Roadways Not to be Widened. Transportation Element: Actions The following are the specific action items that will implement the goals and recommendations It is interesting to note that there are few actions under the transportation element in publicly of this element. More detailed information regarding these actions can be found in Chapter owned rights-of-way. Compare this to the number of actions where privately held property is XII, Implementation Element. targeted. Why is there such a disparity? Economic Development Element Foster economic development that, through its location, design, and diversity, compliments and There's no need to mention or specify emerging communities or countryside. Just say Overview strengthens established and newly emerging communities, as well as countryside areas. countywide. In order to maintain and enhance the vitality of Chesterfield Countys established areas in accordance with the Vision, the county should seek to: On page 35, all of the bulleted items should be reworked to mention the private sector as a primary agent. For instance, instead of saying, Provide a broad mix of employment, change it to, Encourage and promote the private sector in order to provide a broad mix of employment. The Economic Development Element of the Comprehensive Plan provides strategic guidance All involved Chesterfield County employees should be required to take a small business owner course. As part of the course, they would be forced to go through the county process to to efforts that enhance the countys economic base in accordance with the Vision as well as improve the commercial property. Each year, they would be required to submit three new focusing on enhancing the vitality of Chesterfield Countys established areas. This element recognizes the importance of economic development to the health and vitality of Chesterfield ideas to improve the business climate in Chesterfield. Unelected bureaucrats should look to County communities. The Vision states we are attractive to new businesses encouraging the remove regulation and assist potential business owners through the county process. expansion of existing business and promoting entrepreneurship through our community assets.
35
38
40
41 42
Not specific enough
42 43 44
Economic Development Element Promote long-term economic growth that protects environmental quality and enhances quality Describe the growth that protects the environment. Be specific or remove this. Overview(5) of life. The section "do not generate clientele traffic", is too broad. There are some home businesses E9 Home-Based Businesses: Support the creation and retention of appropriate home-based businesses that do not generate clientele traffic or other negative impacts on nearby residents. that do generate traffic, but not significant traffic. An example would be a small independent contractor who runs a business out of a home office. That type of business does generate clientele traffic, but not enough to have negative impact on the community. I would remove that section and leave the rest. E36 Higher Density Housing: Encourage the retention and development of higher density housing Would not increasing the density of housing increase the need for jobs and overtax an already within appropriate CENTERS. overtaxed infrastructure? Would it not make more sense to promote lower density and also home based business in those lower density areas? Focused Strategies: Incorporate specific economic development objectives into Focused E42 What does this recommendation mean? Please provide specific examples or eliminate it. Strategies. E53 Economic Integration: Pursue revitalization efforts that are committed to economic integration What is economic integration? Please provide specific examples or eliminate it. throughout Chesterfield County. Revitalize CENTERS and CORRIDORS: Revitalizing CENTERS and CORRIDORS should I'm not sure that this is a top priority. E57 be considered an economic development priority. E65 Transportation Improvements: Improve transportation infrastructure and access in key Transportation improvement should be countywide to support economic development economic development sites, CENTERS and CORRIDORS. countywide. E67 Rail Access: Promote the economic development advantages of conventional and high speed How will private property rights be monitored? rail through the county. Coordination: Coordinate the different elements and aspects of revitalization, establishing E87 Items E87 and E92 should be combined. priorities and identifying responsibilities.
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Category Page# 45 Section E92 Additional Comprehensive Plan Text Coordination: Promote consistency, coordination and cooperation among county programs and agencies that manage activities and investments in CENTERS, CORRIDORS and COMMUNITIES. Workforce Training: Promote workforce training initiatives, and encourage coordination among all county workforce training providers, including the public school system. Regulatory and Policy Innovations: Promote innovations in land development regulations and policies to support affordable/workforce housing and remove unnecessary barriers. Awareness and Organization: Collaborate with national, regional and community based groups working to promote affordable/workforce housing. Homelessness: Promote and support services that accommodate the needs of Chesterfield Countys homeless. Clustering: Encourage residential cluster development to maintain larger tracts of open space. Comments / Notes Items E87 and E92 should be combined.
E98 49 H10 H12 H16 50 H28
Each involved County employee should take a course in small business ownership and go through the process to establish the business with the County. What specific regulatory and policy innovations would be promoted? Please provide specific examples or eliminate this. This item is unnecessary; please remove it. This should be handled by the non-profit. What the county can do is make sure they are not getting in the way with too many and over burdening regulations. Will unbuildable land be included in the calculation governing clustering? When Fairfax County implemented clustering in the past, this space was included and allowed more homes to be built. Where is the balance? What about the range of densities? Still needs to address safety and congestion issues related to private and commercial vehicles. Where's the balance? Should be broadened to all reviews. The County should develop a "self governance" box whereby an applicant would check this box for most applications to the County because they only require a minimal cursory review. What are the plans to promote and make it easier on small family farms? What are the plans to promote and make it easier on small family farms? What are the plans to promote and make it easier on small family farms? Please identify examples of integrated management strategies. Please be specific or eliminate this.
51
H36 H37 H44
Housing Density in CORRIDORS and CENTERS: Encourage higher density residential development in CORRIDORS and CENTERS. Housing and Mixed Use: Encourage residential and commercial mixed use development that promotes living within walking and biking distance of employment opportunities. Development Proposal Review Time: Minimize the time required for processing housingrelated development and construction review applications. Agricultural Zoning: Use the Zoning Ordinance to support working agricultural and forested land. Agri-Tourism: Support agri-tourism through preservation policies and tourism planning Agricultural and Forestry Viability: Promote the economic viability of agricultural and forestry operations by planning for appropriate buffers on surrounding land use Integrated Land Management: Develop integrated management strategies and coordinate natural, cultural and historical resource preservation efforts with the Vision, goals, and recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan. Alternative Energy: Reduce energy needs, where feasible, by using alternative energy sources.
55
N12 N13 N14
56
N22
57 59
N30 Environmental Quality Element Overview
Environmental Quality Element Overview(6) Environmental Quality Element Overview(9) 60 Environmental Quality Element Recommendations Q1 Q11 Q18
61
Alternative energy should only apply to public land and facilities where it is economically efficient. Many of the environmental quality elements should focus on publicly held property, not The Environmental Quality Element of the Comprehensive Plan contains guidance and direction pertaining to the protection and enhancement of the environment in accordance with private property. the Vision. The Vision calls for Chesterfield County to manage our resources, both natural and manmade, to establish and maintain our well being, making us resilient to changing economic forces. Promote environmental land use practices and regulations for green development and energy On page 59, please provide examples of environmental land-use practices and regulations. Be conservation initiatives. specific or eliminate this. Protect the drinking water supply for current and future residents of Chesterfield County by On page 59, who controls the required practices governing point and non-point source meeting or exceeding the required practices governing point and non-point source pollution. pollution? Why would we want to exceed them and by how much? Unbridled physical constraints have negative consequences to a development approach. How will the local government economic development process assist property owners with these regulations? Incorporate Natural Features: Incorporate or otherwise protect important natural features in What natural features do you mean? Please be specific or eliminate this. development projects. Air Quality: Reinforce the beneficial values of indigenous vegetation and forested areas on air This is unnecessary quality. Stream Buffers: Reinforce the awareness, value and quality of stream buffers as critical This is unnecessary contributors to water quality and wildlife habitat.
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Category Not specific enough Page# 62 Section Additional Comprehensive Plan Text Comments / Notes Environmental Quality Element The following are the specific action items that will implement the goals and recommendations Why are there so few actions on publicly owned property? There is a disconnect in this plan Actions of this element. More detailed information regarding these actions can be found in Chapter between the government's use of force on private property and the exemption for all publicly XII, Implementation Element. held property. We would recommend that the government focus on publicly held land before going to the landlord and telling him how to run his private affairs. Unelected bureaucrats are tenants in our buildings, on our lands, and on our infrastructure. It would behoove them to understand this relationship. This is not meant to be disrespectful in any manner; the intent is to clarify the current roles to prevent future misunderstandings. Our message to all unelected bureaucrats is that we appreciate your service and your suggestions, but the time has come for you to leave us alone and to get off our lawn and out of our homes, business, and private affairs. When you have a firm understanding of private property and its role in making this county great, you'll change this plan yourselves and will not need us to tell you; you will know it for yourselves. Water and Waste-water Element Use water demand management techniques in order to preserve the available water supply. Overview(11) Water and Waste-water Element Use water demand management techniques in order to preserve the available water supply. Overview(11) On page 69, please be specific in describing the water demand management techniques that are proposed or eliminate this. If there is an issue with water supply, then this should lead the discussion within the Comprehensive Plan. This plan does not identifying natural constraints and what is the most prominent resource that restricts growth. If there is a fatal flaw or critical constraint to future growth, it should be identified and mentioned often as the constraining factor.
69
70
W1
Utility Infrastructure and Growth: Acknowledge and accept that future growth in Chesterfield Should we not address this problem first, before increasing density? County as endorsed in the Vision, goals, objectives and policies recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan will exceed local ability to fund and accommodate adequate public water and waste-water infrastructure under the current regulatory environment. Utility Infrastructure and Growth: Acknowledge and accept that future growth in Chesterfield County as endorsed in the Vision, goals, objectives and policies recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan will exceed local ability to fund and accommodate adequate public water and waste-water infrastructure under the current regulatory environment. This item is claiming that we will run out of water. What exactly has to change with the current regulatory environment? Why are the regulations that limit the water supply? The water and waste-water element should be the second element discussed in the Comprehensive Plan after the public facilities element.
W1
W1
Utility Infrastructure and Growth: Acknowledge and accept that future growth in Chesterfield On page 71, how do W7 and W 11 and W1 coexist? County as endorsed in the Vision, goals, objectives and policies recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan will exceed local ability to fund and accommodate adequate public water and waste-water infrastructure under the current regulatory environment. Density: Encourage the highest densities and intensities of development to generally occur in areas planned for public water and waste-water service Density: Encourage the highest densities and intensities of development to generally occur in areas planned for public water and waste-water service Water Supply: Ensure that the water supply system meets the needs of existing service areas and projected future growth demands. Water and Waste-water Systems in Communities and Commercial Areas: Ensure that the capacities of county water and waste-water systems in communities and commercial areas are adequate to meet future growth. Study and make recommendations regarding the establishment of a demand management education program and a tiered water rate structure to promote conservation. Should we be encouraging higher densities until we address this problem with infrastructure overburdening? Why are we encouraging high densities when we won't have enough water? On page 71, how do W7 and W 11 and W1 coexist? On page 71, how do W7 and W 11 and W1 coexist?
W2 W2 71 W11 W7
108
Water Demand Strategy
Would it not make more sense to price water at a level that reflects the availability of the resource? This seems to me to be a way to trick people to unknowingly paying a higher rate.
109
Land Conservation Tools
What will be the cost of to the County when these taxing policies are implemented or the Initiate a study regarding tools that could be used to conserve public and private lands in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan. This study will review the current land use taxation rights are purchased by the County? program, purchase of development rights (PDR), transfer of development rights (TDR), agriculture and forestry districts and public and private easement programs. Develop a countywide bicycle Plan that accommodates local needs in cooperation with What will this cost the County? Is there a demonstrated need for these facilities? regional entities and VDOT. This Plan is anticipated to outline types and locations of various bike facilities as well as bicycle design guidelines for both on- and off- road bicycle facilities.
113
Bicycle Plan
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Category Not specific enough Page# 116 Additional Comprehensive Plan Text Comments / Notes Comprehensive Plan Online Technical and Supporting Documents: Develop a Comprehensive What process will be used to develop these supporting documents. Plan Online Technical and Supporting Documents that will provide technical background information in support of the Comprehensive Plan. The Online Technical and Supporting Documents will be updated annually to reflect any data changes that have taken place. The Online Technical and Supporting Documents will include, but not be limited to, the following: demographics; annual report synopsis; modeling information; the technical appendices; information related to natural, cultural and historical resources; a glossary; citizen participation and citizen education information Implementation Element: General Incorporate green building design and other energy-efficient practices in the construction and Again, I would like to see an inclusion of cost effectiveness and ROI of <= 10 years. Recommendation(3) renovation of facilities where appropriate Implementation Element: Public Libraries: Provide quality library services that serve community needs and desires for Would not this money be better spent on new schools? What can be done to co-locate Facilities Plan educational, cultural, and information opportunities. The public library system has expanded libraries and schools, and have them share resources? Especially since the traditional role of a its role and function to serve not only as a resource for reading, book loans, education support, library as a repository for the community books is going away. Would not some of these other and information stewardship, but also as an internetaccessible computer center, community function be provide for better by the Free-Market? gathering space, and parts and culture venue. Implementation Element: Public Expand/Replace Enon Branch: Expand or replace current facility with at least a 20,000 square This is an example of bad planning that should be avoided. I remember being surprised that Facilities Plan foot facility at or near the current location. Addresses demand issues. this library was new in the mid 1990's. Implementation Element: Public Public Schools: Support the maintenance and enhancement of a public education system that What can be done to lower the cost of new schools? Would it make more sense to move Facilities Plan seeks to provide high quality, efficient and equitable facilities in appropriate locations across towards k-12 campuses? the county. We should be shooting for <100% for most schools. Implementation Element: Public Public Schools: System-wide Recommended Level of Service Standard: No school should Facilities Plan exceed 120% of functional capacity How can we make our parks and other recreation facilities at least partially self-funding? Implementation Element: Public Parks& Recreation: Support a quality parks system that meets the needs of residents and Facilities Plan visitors in all stages of life through an equitable provision of active and passive recreation Also, given that the County has a shortage of core infrastructure, should we not use the money opportunities. allotted for new parks and other recreation facilities to instead fund police, fire/ems, and schools? Implementation Element: Public Aviation Services: Provide quality aviation facilities and services that meet the needs of What can be done to help offset all or at least most of the cost of these improvements? Facilities Plan businesses, agencies and the community. Implementation Element: Public Government Center: Continue to develop the Government Center complex to foster effective First, should we be looking at expanding government at this time? I am concerned that Facilities Plan and customer-friendly delivery of service to the public and efficient interaction between county government is expanding faster than the population. Also, if we need new facilities, how can departments. we reduce the cost of construction? Implementation Element: Public Northwest Fleet Maintenance & Fueling Facility: In the vicinity of intersection of Route 288 What can be done to use commercial fueling stations to both reduce cost and reduce fuel Facilities Plan and Powhite Parkway on no more than 20 buildable acres and including school bus parking usage? areas. Facility should be approximately 42,000 square feet and include a fueling center. Implementation Element: Public Telecommunications: Promote the design and location of telecommunications facilities in Facilities Plan accordance with guidelines on safety and operational efficiency. Support the location of such facilities to provide the broadest possible access to advanced communications services and to minimize the number of towers needed to support such facilities. Ensure new telecommunication facilities are compatible with the character of the surrounding area and with the least possible impact on existing or planned neighborhoods. Implementation Element: Most all of the roads in Chesterfield County are in the State Highway System, and therefore Transportation are managed and maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). VDOT regulations and standards must be considered when planning the road network in order to facilitate development of the land uses identified in the Comprehensive Plan. Implementation Element: Transportation(5) What can be done to encourage the current telecommunications companies doing business in the County to expand broadband coverage, especially in rural and undeserved areas of the county? Section Manuals and Handbooks
119 129
130 132
132 140
147
148
150
161
Is this best for the County? Should the County consider taking control of it's own roads?
185
Implementation Element: Transportation: Bicycle and Pedestrian Recommendations
I can see no use for this freeway, and the creation of it is counter to the desire to keep Generally, new roads should not be located in the Countryside areas of the Land Use Plan Map, with the exception of the proposed East/West Freeway and local streets not represented development out of the countryside area. I live on Ruffin Mill Road. I use 288/76 and find no need to connect Ruffin Mill Road to 76. Also, I am concerned that the freeway could cause on the Thoroughfare Plan. more traffic problems then it solves by moving traffic from 95/64 to the East/West freeway 76. This would increase traffic on 76 and could cause traffic problems on roads that already have traffic problems. The most recent bicycle planning effort in Chesterfield County is the proposed construction of Can you please provide an overview? Does this align with the "high speed" rail system? the East Coast Greenway (ECG). According to its website, the vision for the East Coast Greenway is a long-distance, urban and shared use trail system that connects many of the major cities along the east coast from Calais, Maine to Key West, Florida. The proposed alignment of the ECG through Chesterfield County is planned through the eastern part of the county. The ECG proposed alignment shown is current as of 2008. No construction efforts have been initiated in Chesterfield County.
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Category Not Transparent Page# 38 Section E14 Additional Comprehensive Plan Text Competitive Tax Structure: Promote economic growth that will strengthen the countys tax base in conjunction with a competitive tax structure that encourages businesses to locate, expand and remain in Chesterfield County. Strategic Public Facility Placement: Encourage the strategic placement of public facilities in established communities and new developments to support economic development, revitalization and mixed use development. Public Investment: Invest in public facilities and infrastructure that supports economic development efforts. Private Investment: Encourage the use of public-private partnerships to improve and provide infrastructure. Comments / Notes Would not a better understanding of the expenses of the County, allow the citizens to make better-informed decisions regarding taxes? Would not making the County budget more transparent and easy for citizens to understand allow the citizens to make better decisions about how County resources should be allocated? Would not making the County budget more transparent and easy for citizens to understand allow the citizens to make better decisions about how County resources should be allocated? Would not making the County budget more transparent and easy for citizens to understand allow the citizens to make better decisions about how County resources should be allocated?
43
E69
E70
E71
Vague, leading to future infringement of rights
Reference Handbook
11
Environmental Quality
20
Land Use Element Overview
The Reference Handbook contains supporting documentation and instructions for plan I would like to see this removed from the plan. I went to the site provided and the handbook is implementation. The Reference Handbook accompanies the Comprehensive Plan, but will not still not available for download. If it is going to be part of the plan, the citizens should be able be adopted as part of the plan. All Reference Handbook material is posted on the Chesterfield to review this. Countywide Comprehensive Plan website at: www.chesterfield.gov/cp. The Environmental Quality Element encourages the countywide protection of water quality, I am a little concerned about this part and will have to see how they would recommend particularly water supply resources and addresses land use practices and standards to preserve implementing this. and enhance the quality of the physical environment. The Land Use Policy Element of the Chesterfield Countywide Comprehensive Plan addresses I have several issues with this section, especially with the concept of "Promotion". What will physical development recommendations that help guide land use decisions, such as zoning, site we do to promote these "objectives"? The word promote has been removed, but the act of plan and subdivision review, in accordance with the Vision. The Vision calls for promoting implies an objective. communities, centers, countryside and corridors that provide a balanced mix of land uses, densities and lifestyle choices. I would instead prefer that the County examine the removal of certain restrictions for some types of development. For example, it could allow narrow streets in a high-density mix-used community that prohibits on-street parking. I feel that the best way to encourage different types of development is to increase the flexibility of the zoning codes. Statutory Compliance: Promote review procedures and policies for new development proposals What is the pertinent Virginia legislation? to ensure that their potential fiscal, environmental, transportation and community impacts are evaluated within the parameters of the enabling legislation for development review in Virginia. Property Tax Relief: Promote housing related tax relief programs for special needs populations. Are there better ways to achieve the same goal? Fire Safety: Promote the use of built-in fire protection features in housing designed or designated for special needs populations.` How will this effect the cost of homes in the county?
26
L58
49 50
H15 H21
Page 26

Taxpayer's Review Comments On The Chesterfield County Comprehensive Plan

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Taxpayer's Review Comments On The Chesterfield County Comprehensive Plan

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Chesterfield County Draft Comprehesive Plan Notes

Land Use Element Overview

Chesterfield County Draft Comprehesive Plan Notes

L20 L21 L22 L24

Chesterfield County Draft Comprehesive Plan Notes

Transportation Element Overview(1) 30 T13

Chesterfield County Draft Comprehesive Plan Notes

Chesterfield County Draft Comprehesive Plan Notes

Chesterfield County Draft Comprehesive Plan Notes

Chesterfield County Draft Comprehesive Plan Notes

Housing Element Overview

Chesterfield County Draft Comprehesive Plan Notes

Chesterfield County Draft Comprehesive Plan Notes

Contrary to Free Market Principles

Chesterfield County Draft Comprehesive Plan Notes

Contrary to Free Market Principles Crony Development Practice

Focused on Private Property Rights

Q21 Land Use Element Overview

green-ways: Foster development that connects to or complements identified green-ways

26 Transportation Element Overview(9)

Chesterfield County Draft Comprehesive Plan Notes

T43 Focused on Private Property Rights 41 45 E45 E106

H25 H31 H32

N14 N16 N17

Chesterfield County Draft Comprehesive Plan Notes

Chesterfield County Draft Comprehesive Plan Notes

Q25 Q28 Q34 Q35

Chesterfield County Draft Comprehesive Plan Notes

Lobbying Citizens with Taxpayer Funds

Loss of Local Elected Official Power

L57 T52 54 E85 Q10

Not specific enough

Chesterfield County Draft Comprehesive Plan Notes

Chesterfield County Draft Comprehesive Plan Notes

Introduction: Implementation Element(1)

Chesterfield County Draft Comprehesive Plan Notes

Chesterfield County Draft Comprehesive Plan Notes

Not specific enough

Chesterfield County Draft Comprehesive Plan Notes

Not specific enough

Chesterfield County Draft Comprehesive Plan Notes

L40 L41 25 L40 L45

L63 L64 L66

Not specific enough

Transportation Element Overview(1) 30 T12

Chesterfield County Draft Comprehesive Plan Notes

T20 T21 T22 T23 T24 T25

T34 T35 T36

Not specific enough

Chesterfield County Draft Comprehesive Plan Notes

Not specific enough

Chesterfield County Draft Comprehesive Plan Notes

E98 49 H10 H12 H16 50 H28

H36 H37 H44

N12 N13 N14

N30 Environmental Quality Element Overview

Chesterfield County Draft Comprehesive Plan Notes

Water Demand Strategy

Land Conservation Tools

Chesterfield County Draft Comprehesive Plan Notes

Implementation Element: Transportation: Bicycle and Pedestrian Recommendations

Chesterfield County Draft Comprehesive Plan Notes

Vague, leading to future infringement of rights