By Diana McFarland

Managing editor

A land use change to accommodate a 44-unit development was rejected by the Isle of Wight County Board of Supervisors.

Following the land use change denial, the developer opted to withdraw its accompanying conditional rezoning application. 

The property is located next to the Dollar General on Route 17 near the Chuckatuck Creek Bridge.

Reasons for the denial offered by the supervisors included the desire by neighboring property owners to keep the existing commercial zoning, as well as not wanting to amend the comprehensive plan while it is in the revision process. {mprestriction ids=”1,2,3,4,5,6″}

If approved, the Kemps Village development would have included 44 single-family homes on 13.75 acres, with a portion of that amount set aside as green space. The 3,000 square foot houses would have offered master suites on both floors and would have been priced from $300,000 to $400,000. 

Nearby residents were concerned with the potential for added traffic and stormwater runoff.

Others brought up the potential impact the development would have on the schools, as estimates suggested that it alone would push Westside Elementary School four students beyond capacity.

Carrollton resident Albert Burckard said that the county already has nearly 2,000 housing units approved, but not yet built, in the northern end of Isle of Wight — not to include Kemps Village. 

Laurelwood resident Carrie Sustare provided a petition signed by more than 40 individuals against the application. 

The developer offered several concessions, such as increased cash proffers, paving the roads in the neighboring development, adding bioretention techniques to address stormwater runoff and extend sewer to neighboring residents. 

William Riddick, an attorney representing the developer, said that just because a comprehensive plan is in the midst of revision doesn’t mean it cannot be amended during that process. 

Riddick said that it is time for Isle of Wight to start growing after the lull produced by the recession, and that the housing market has since changed.

“This is an opportunity for Isle of Wight to cut its teeth on new development,” he said. 

The property is currently zoned commercial. The existing comprehensive plan calls for suburban estates, which allow for larger lots. The Kemps Village application called for a land use change to suburban residential, which allows for higher density. 

The Planning Commission had recommended denial of the land use change and tied on the conditional rezoning application.  {/mprestriction}