49-home subdivision planned beside I-295 interchange near Highland Springs

A conceptual site plan shows the 49-lot subdivision with access off Airport Drive. (County documents)

More rooftops are in the pipeline near Highland Springs in eastern Henrico, though not as many as originally envisioned for a site beside the I-295/Airport Drive interchange.

Local developer Dorado Capital is planning a 49-home subdivision on 36 acres immediately northwest of the interchange. The project is a scaled-down version of a plan that once called for 42 detached homes and 61 townhomes.

Harsh Thakker

The subdivision has been about two years in the making. Principal Harsh Thakker said Dorado Capital has had the site under contract since November 2023 and has spent the time since reworking the plan based on feedback from the community.

“We’ve tried to really work with the neighbors,” Thakker said. “Initially we started at a much higher density, but we listened to their concerns, have been working on it over several meetings, several iterations, and we’re hoping to deliver something that both the community likes and delivers housing that is much needed.”

The property, 700 N. Airport Drive, was listed for sale by One South Commercial with an asking price of $1.95 million. The site is part of a larger, 61-acre property that straddles the interstate and Airport Drive.

One South agents Ann Schweitzer Riley and Lory Markham handled the listing for the property owner, an LLC tied to Ann Beck. Henrico records show the Beck family has owned the land since at least the 1990s. The county assessed the 61 acres this year at about $458,000.

The subdivision site is part of a larger property that crosses Airport Drive and I-295. (Image courtesy One South Commercial)

Thakker said the listing alerted him to the site, which he said is designated in Henrico’s comprehensive plan for residential development. The project site is currently zoned for agricultural use and conservation, and Dorado is seeking a rezoning to allow the subdivision with conservation land remaining around most of it.

Mark Baker with Baker Development Resources is representing Dorado in its request, which is scheduled to go before the Henrico Planning Commission at its July 10 meeting.

A county staff report notes that Dorado held an initial community meeting last October on the original plan, which attendees said was inconsistent with the surrounding community. A second community meeting was held in May, but attendees reiterated previous concerns about traffic and impacts on area wells and animal habitat, the staff report said.

The project was revised to reduce the density and remove a road connection to an adjoining subdivision. County planners suggest additional revisions to clarify planned amenities, Airport Drive frontage and common areas planned in the center of the site. An access to the site from Airport Drive would remain.

Thakker said those suggestions would be taken into consideration, noting the changes already made to the plan.

“We’ve incorporated feedback from the community, which has been our first focus,” he said. “If staff has some additional feedback, we’ll definitely work to incorporate it as best we can.”

Sample elevations of the homes planned for the subdivision.

The homes would be at least 1,400 square feet in size and include two-car garages, according to proffers included with the rezoning request. Thakker said prices would be determined when a builder is selected for the project.

Sekiv Solutions is handling engineering for the project and drew up a conceptual site plan.

Dorado Capital’s other projects in the region include Chestnut Flats, a 12-unit modern townhome development in Richmond’s Highland Park area, and two subdivisions totaling nearly 100 homes east of Highland Springs.

The Airport Drive subdivision would add to other development in the works in the area.

Just west of the site, developer Ned Massie is seeking zoning approval for a 130-home subdivision on 66 acres at 1830 N. Washington St. The Planning Commission is scheduled to hear that case in August following several deferrals since the project was proposed last fall.

And farther west on Airport Drive, the YWCA of Richmond, Maggie Walker Community Land Trust and Children’s Home Society of Virginia are leading a multiuse development to include apartments and townhomes and an early childhood education facility. Last month, Henrico’s Economic Development Authority approved a $1.45 million grant to support that project.

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