The Henrico County Board of Supervisors held a regular meeting Tuesday, Oct. 27. An agenda and video of the meeting are available. Highlights included:
Long-serving library board member honored with state award
County Attorney Andrew Newby, who facilitated the meeting for County Manager John Vithoulkas, recognized Gail Atkins, who represents the Varina District on the Henrico County Library Advisory Board.
The Virginia Library Association recently presented Atkins its Trustee Library Award for 2026, saluting her continued leadership and dedicated service to Henrico residents. Atkins has served on the county’s Library Advisory Board for 20 years.
Varina District Supervisor Tyrone Nelson said the county is grateful for Atkins’ two decades of service.
“You represent not just Varina but all of Henrico County in the spirit of libraries, which is building community, sharing information and creating space for the expansion of minds,” Nelson said.
Atkins recalled a conversation with her mother, who told her that “you just have to show up.”
“And that’s what I’ve done over these years, I’ve shown up, and I’ve worked hard,” she said. “The library system in Henrico is a jewel. The buildings are wonderful, the staff is warm and welcoming, the programs are creative. It’s an honor to represent Henrico.”
Planning leader recognized by architecture institute
Newby noted that Planning Director Joe Emerson has been awarded the 2026 American Institute of Architects Richmond Chapter Citation, the top public honor bestowed by the local chapter.
The award is presented to an individual whose work “has contributed to the public’s increased awareness of the built environment,” according to the chapter.
Emerson, who has been a leader of Henrico’s Planning Department for more than 20 years, said that “awards are never won in a vacuum.”
“I’ve had the great pleasure of having a tremendous staff in the Planning Department and of working with very collaborative bodies and county leadership,” he said. “Thank you for all the support.”
Board recognizes Crash Responder Safety Week
The Board approved a proclamation designating Nov. 2-6 as Crash Responder Safety Week. Designed to promote traffic safety awareness, the measure reminds drivers on Henrico roadways of the need to slow down and move over when they encounter an accident to enable county police officers, firefighters and others to respond safely.
Brookland District Supervisor Dan Schmitt presented the proclamation to leaders from the Henrico Division of Fire and a representative from the Virginia Department of Transportation’s incident management team.
County seeks property for portion of Fall Line Trail, awards construction contract for other sections
Following a public hearing, the Board authorized condemnation proceedings for property in the 1500 block of Mountain Road that is needed for the Longdale phase of the Fall Line Trail.
Henrico is seeking about 4,000 square feet of permanent utility easements across properties at 1501 and 1519 Mountain Road that are owned by Ridge Homes, LLC. The county offered about $6,600 for the property, based on independent appraisals, and will continue to pursue voluntary acquisition of the property.
In a separate matter related to the Fall Line Trail, the Board approved a $15.9 million contract to Crowder Construction for construction of four sections of the trail in the Lakeside area and along Hilliard and Brook roads. The project will include a 1.6-mile shared-use path, pedestrian bridges and boardwalks, a pedestrian hybrid beacon and new stormwater management infrastructure.
Work is expected to begin in November and be completed in about two years.
Board considers ordinances for taxing, regulating sale of recreational marijuana
The Board reviewed a pair of proposed ordinances related to Virginia’s creation of a legal retail market for recreational marijuana. Under state law, sales are expected to begin July 1 and would be conducted by businesses licensed by the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority.
One county ordinance would establish a 3.5% sales tax on marijuana and marijuana products, in accordance with the state law.
A second ordinance would regulate the hours in which retail marijuana businesses could operate and would prohibit the personal use or offering to others of marijuana and marijuana products in public parks, playgrounds, public streets or any sidewalk joining a public street. The ordinance also would prohibit the possession or consumption of marijuana and marijuana products in or on public school grounds.
The Board will hold public hearings and vote on the ordinances at its Nov. 10 meeting.
County to provide funding for housing position at nonprofit agency
The Board authorized the county to enter a memorandum of understanding with Housing Families First (HFF) to support a housing coaching and counseling position. Under the agreement, the county will provide donations to the nonprofit organization to fund a full-time staff position designed to support residents of the former Glenwood Farms community as it is redeveloped into the mixed-income CloverSpring community.
The Board approved an initial donation of $66,000 to HFF for the position.
County provides grant to support affordable housing in Arcadia
The Board approved an amendment to a memorandum of understanding with the Maggie Walker Community Land Trust (MWCLT) to help the nonprofit organization acquire 20 single-family homes in the Arcadia development in eastern Henrico. MWCLT will make the homes available for purchase by qualified buyers who earn no more than 115% of the median income for the Richmond metropolitan area.
The Board approved a grant of $500,000 to MWCLT to support the affordability of the homes. The nonprofit will seek at least $300,000 in matching donations as part of the amended agreement.
Improvements to Three Chopt Road set to begin
The Board approved a $45.5 million contract with Shirley Contracting Co. for construction of improvements to a roughly 2-mile section of Three Chopt Road.
The road will be widened to four lanes and divided with either a raised median or a shared left-turn lane from Three Chopt’s intersection with Barrington Hill Drive to about 1,000 feet east of Three Chopt’s intersection with Gaskins Road. Additional improvements will include curb and gutter, sidewalks, public water and sewer and enclosed drainage.
Work is expected to begin in November and be completed in about three years.