Development along Route 5 in eastern Henrico county , a Virginia Scenic Byway and a road unparalled in its role in American history,merits the utmost in conservation planning and in considering community input.  Henrico County has now before it a development proposal that fails to meet this standard:

Because the proposal to rezone 250 acres of farmland and forest along Route 5 to allow for the construction of 1,000 houses represent a 300% increase over the current legal limit and ... 

Because this level of density would negatively impact the quality of life for residents of this corridor (including increased congestion on roadways, increased stormwater runoff, increased air pollution and resultant respiratory illness, etc.) without providing any notable benefits to the community, and...Breaches in the Capital Bike Trail.

Because the proposed rezoning violates the standards set by both the Current Comprehensive Plan and the Route 5 Corridor Study , documents negotiated in good-faith by the citizens of Henrico County in collaboration with their planning department specifically to identify what sort of growth is appropriate along this uniquely historic and scenic corridor, and...

Because the citizens of Henrico County value the green spaces of the Varina district as essential for

•  protecting clean drinking water and clean air,and...
• protecting fertile soils on which to grow food for the region, and...
•  protecting the beauty on which historic and recreational tourism depend,

 We ask the members of the Henrico County Board of Supervisors to support your own guiding documents and the long-term needs of your citizens  and vote NO to this inappropriate rezoning request ( REZ2022-00026)

Instead, we ask the members of the BOS , Planning Commision and Planning Department to continue to collaborate with the citizens of Henrico county on an innovative approach to growth in the Route 5 Corridor that invests in what it offers instead of investing in its destruction. 

PS. It has come to our attention that after you sign the petition there is an option to donate. We are not asking for donations. We do not partake in those donations. Those are strictly and fully going to support change.org organization and the donation request is generated by change.org. Don't feel obligated to donate. If you do, your donating to the change .org organization not Grow smart Varina.