|
Comprehensive Plan Enters Final Stages
|
On Aug. 7, the Planning Commission met to discuss the last chapters of the Chesterfield County comprehensive plan, which will guide decisions for the next two decades. The chapters, including revitalization, plan goals and implementation, were posted on the county's website in late July for public review and comment. The implementation chapter outlines how the county will carry out the plan based on the guidelines in each chapter. Implementation has been broken into two phases, things that will be done within a year of the plan's adoption and those that will be addressed further into the future. Some of those initial steps include cleaning up zoning ordinances that reference current area plans, which will go away with the new plan, and prioritizing the Phase 2 items. Among the second-phase steps are updating the eight special area plans that will remain in effect and developing special focus and gateway area plans for the five areas identified for revitalization. As the process continues, numerous opportunities for public input will be available, including a public hearing on the final draft plan.
|
Tips from the Chesterfield County Police Department
- Applications are now being accepted for the 27th Citizens Academy, to be held Sept. 27-Nov. 29, 6:30-10 p.m. This is an opportunity for residents to get a behind-the-scenes look at the day-to-day operations of the Police Department. For more information, call 748-1585 or email lambt@chesterfield.gov.
- The annual Fall Family Safety Fair will be held Sept. 22, 11 a.m.-3.p.m., at Chesterfield Towne Center. Members of the Police Department will display law-enforcement resources, such as SWAT equipment and a patrol vehicle. McGruff, the Crime Dog, will be there along with Chesterfield County Fire and EMS trucks and gear. Residents also may bring expired or unneeded prescription drugs for collection and disposal.
- The Police Department is reminding residents to take preventive measures against theft since receiving more than 100 reports of items stolen from vehicles located in neighborhoods, apartment complexes and subdivisions throughout the county. Most of the thefts were from vehicles left unlocked in driveways or in front of homes. To avoid becoming a victim: 1) Remove all visible valuables from your vehicle. This includes portable navigation devices, stereo equipment, satellite radios, wallets, purses, cell phones, cash and clothing. 2) Lock your vehicle every time. 3) Keep home exterior lights on from dusk until dawn. 4) Report suspicious activity to police.
- For more safety tips click here.
|
For more County News, click here.
- The next Board of Supervisors meetings will be held on Aug. 22, Sept. 19, Oct. 10 and Oct. 24 in the Public Meeting Room, 10001 Iron Bridge Road. There is only one meeting each month from May through September. Sessions typically begin at 3 p.m., break at 5 p.m., and then resume at 6:30 p.m.
- An assessment last month found no trace of hydrilla in Swift Creek Reservoir. The county released 10,500 sterile grass carp in April 2010 in an effort to get rid of the weed. Hydrilla, an aquatic nuisance weed indigenous to Asia, had infested nearly 750 acres of the 1,700-acre reservoir.
- In July, Henricus Historical Park and the Dutch Gap Conservation Area were selected as the best local park for a 2012 "Bestie" award by readers of Richmond.com. Henricus is surrounded by the 810-acre Dutch Gap Conservation Area, consisting of diverse wildlife, woods and wetlands, including land and lagoon trails, a blue heron rookery in the marsh and a boat landing on the James River. Henricus' annual celebration of the founding of the Citie of Henricus in 1611, Publick Days, will be held Sept. 15-16, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., with living history re-enactments, military drills and musket firings, craftsmen and blacksmiths, 17th-century medicinal demonstrations, Virginia Indian activities, historical children's games and crafts, storytelling and more.
|
For a full listing of programs and services, click here.
- The expansions of several large corporations are boosting economic development in Chesterfield County's Meadowville Technology Park. In July, Sabra broke ground for an extension of its current production facility. Sabra is the world's leading hummus maker and the new "Center for Excellence" will serve as a research facility. The Amazon fulfillment facility is nearing completion and will be shipping goods to consumers by the end of October. Capital One announced that it will establish a new data center worth $150 million at Meadowville. Sabra's expansion, along with Capital One and Amazon, will result in more than 1,100 new jobs in the county and nearly $3 million a year in tax revenue. Meadowville Technology Park, at its build-out, will look like a campus of high-tech businesses employing an estimated 7,200 workers and have a private investment totaling $2.9 billion and 14.9 million square feet of office and industrial space.
- The Children's Museum of Richmond opened a branch in Chesterfield County this summer in the Winterpock Crossings Shopping Center on Hull Street Road west of Route 288. The site includes a Main Street pretend-play area with a bank, grocery store, diner, veterinarian's office, theater, a fire station with a real fire truck and a three-dimensional tree from which children can pick "apples." The site is designed for children up to 8 years old, and will offer school field trips, camps, special events and space for parties and other private events.
- Capital Area Health Network plans to open a community health center in the Bermuda District by the end of the year. Federal officials announced in July that $128.6 million in grants will be provided for new community health centers in the U.S. These funds include $2.4 million for centers in Virginia, and $441,667 for the Chesterfield County health center. Federally qualified community health centers accept insurance but also treat the uninsured, charging them based on their ability to pay. The facility will be about 4,300 square feet and located in an existing building in the Winchester Green area. It is projected to serve more than 5,000 patients, for a total of about 10,000 to 15,000 patient visits annually.
|
| County Programs and Services |
For a full listing of programs and services, click here.
- The Virginia Association of Counties announced recipients of the 2012 Achievement Awards recognizing model local government programs. Chesterfield County's entry, "Enhancing Customer Knowledge of e-Readers and Digital Collections" received an excellent award in the customer-service category. With e-readers rising in popularity, the Chesterfield County Public Library's e-book and audiobook lending service, the Downloadable Digital Library, makes free e-books available to library customers. Staff developed innovative workshops, handouts, and other creative ideas to help e-book customers learn to use their devices and the library's lending system. This free, personalized education and assistance is a service that demonstrates responsiveness to community and customer needs.
- One of the services Chesterfield County Public Library offers is My Personal Librarian. Patrons can call, email or IM a question to a librarian, and receive an answer, complete with source citation, if applicable. This service also enables customers to make an appointment for up to 30 minutes of one-on-one time with a librarian.
- The county also recently received 11 achievement awards from the National Association of Counties and the Department of Public Affairs also received eight achievement awards from the National Association of County Information Officers. Public Affairs earned awards for its communications products, including materials produced for various departments, public-information campaigns and other efforts.
- To keep a yard healthy and costs down, learn how and when to water. The Chesterfield County office of Virginia Cooperative Extension, in cooperation with the county's Planning and Utilities departments, encourages residents to be waterwise.
- The Chesterfield County Senior Advocate's Office offers two monthly support groups: Grandparent Connection is a support group for grandparents raising grandchildren or others raising relatives' children, and meets on the first Thursday of each month, 4:15-6 p.m., at the Chesterfield County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court building, 7000 Lucy Corr Blvd. Free child care is provided. Caregiver Connection is provided in conjunction with Lucy Corr Village and addresses the needs of those who are caring for an adult with physical or cognitive deterioration. The group meets on the first Tuesday of each month, 4-5:15 p.m., in
the Friendship Room at Lucy Corr Village Assisted Living, 6800 Lucy Corr Blvd. For more information, call 804-768-7878.
|
| Back to School Safety Tips |
Whether they walk, ride the bus or travel by car, teach kids how to get to and from school safely. For more information, click here.
Tips for School Bus Riders
- Do not play in the street while waiting for the bus.
- Carry all loose belongings in a bag or backpack. Never reach under a bus to get anything that has rolled or fallen beneath it.
- Line up facing the bus, not alongside it.
- Move immediately on to the sidewalk and get out of traffic after getting off the bus.
- Wait for a signal from the bus driver before crossing the street and walk at least 10 steps away from the front of the bus so the driver can see you.
Tips for Pedestrians and Bike Riders
- Never walk alone -- always travel with a buddy.
- Wear reflective or brightly-colored clothing to increase visibility.
- Respect traffic lights and street signs.
- Always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle. Avoid loose-fitting clothing that could get caught in the spokes or pedals.
Tips for Car Drivers and Passengers
- Make sure young children are in safety seats at all times, and that the seats have been properly installed.
- All children under 13 years old should ride in the rear seat of vehicles.
- Remember that many crashes occur while novice teen drivers are going to and from school. Consider limiting the number of teen passengers to prevent driver distraction. Do not allow your teen to drive while eating, drinking, talking or texting on a cell phone.
|
For more events, click here.
- The annual Chesterfield County Fair will be held Aug. 24-Sept. 1. There will be lots of fun for everyone with midway rides, concerts, pageants, arts and crafts exhibits, model trains, racing pigs and much more! Hours are 4-11 p.m., Monday-Friday, Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. and Sundays, 1-11 p.m. The fairgrounds are located at the corner of Courthouse and Krause roads.
 - Come out to the Chesterfield Farmers Market! The market is held every Wednesday from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at the Chesterfield County Government complex. Enjoy fresh seasonal fruits, veggies and other local goods each week through September.
- Start cleaning out your closets to support the Chesterfield County Public Schools and PTAs! The Fourth Annual Great Denim Days will be held Aug. 9-Sept. 23. During the back-to-school shopping season, families are encouraged to go through their closets and collect unwanted denim jeans, jackets, skirts, shorts, etc., to donate to Goodwill Industries and benefit their favorite public schools. This year's goal is an aggressive one -- to collect 10,000 denim items! Cash prizes totaling $10,000 will be awarded to the PTAs of the schools that collect the largest numbers of denim items. Prizes will be awarded to the top three elementary, middle and high schools: first place, $1,000; second place, $750 and third place, $500. In addition, the school that collects the most denim will receive a $500 bonus. The 12 schools with the next highest totals will receive bonuses of $250 each. Take denim directly to Chesterfield Towne Center's guest services desk for processing. A special ceremony will be held at the mall on Sept. 26 to present the prizes to the winning schools.
|
|
|
