Concerns Regarding Safety Impacts to Public Infrastructure by Approved and Pending Development Projects

To be delivered to Dr. Joseph P. Casey, Chesterfield County Administrator

Unmitigated Impacts of Development to Our Roads
Currently proposed and approved development projects are anticipated to greatly impact the existing infrastructure and traffic safety associated with County-approved development permits. We have seen how recent development projects have majorly impacted Otterdale Rd, Genito Rd, Woolridge Rd/Watermill Pkwy and Old Hundred Rd., including surrounding collector streets. We, apparently, are only seeing the “tip of the iceberg” as to development in our area. We are concerned that the impact of these development projects on existing infrastructure may not have been anticipated and thus addressed fully by our County Planning and Transportation Department officials. We request to be presented a full plan for how the impacts of existing, newly approved and future anticipated development projects are designed to either improve access to the development with minimal impacts to existing infrastructure or how these impacts will be mitigated.

Road Flooding
There are access and safety concerns regarding the occasional flooding that can be experienced on our roadways, especially during heavy rain events. There are, at least, three locations on Otterdale Road that have flood water sheet-flowing across the roadway during heavy rain events. When this occurs, the VDOT/County staff close off the roadway to traffic, clearly for the safety of the public. As a result, though, residents with homes within the closed-off area are unable to access their homes and families during this closure. Not only is this inconvenient for residents’ access to their homes and families, but also for access of emergency vehicles to service issues in the area within a road closure. Of course, these emergency needs are usually very time critical and any detours associated with their response can result in tragic consequences.

Issues Associated with Current Road Construction
There are several dangerous issues regarding the new road construction design at the intersections of Otterdale Rd & Genito Rd. and Woolridge & Otterdale Rd. Neighborhood concerns need to be heard and a County response provided.

What We Want
We, the signers of this petition, request a public hearing, to be held in an agreed-upon and appropriate accessible local location, to fully discuss the above concerns. This hearing shall include the Chesterfield County Administrator, County Planning Director, Transportation Department Director, EMS Director, County Supervisor for the Matoaca District, Commonwealth-elected officials and any other appropriate Officials. The County shall provide copies of development plans for pending and recently approved developments for review prior to this meeting. Also, copies of any road improvement plans proposed be provided for review, including those approved and in progress prior to this meeting. The above plans should be available for review at least 2 hours prior to the start of the meeting.

Author: Phillip A. Plymale 4501 Tweedsmuir Turn, Moseley (804) 818-3807