To: Dr. Joseph P. Casey, Chesterfield County Administrator

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

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.

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.

There are several dangerous issues regarding the new road construction design at the intersections of Otterdale Rd & Genito Rd. and Woolridge & Otterdale Rd. Some neighborhood concerns need to heard and a County response provided.

Why is this important?

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.

Updates

2020-09-27 13:28:45 -0400

Dear Roadway Safety Petition Signer:

Finally, a meeting has been scheduled by Chesterfield County to address the safety issues associated with the flooding of Otterdale Road. It has taken over a year and a leadership change to finally get to this point!

The Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors has voted to issue $30M in bonds for road and drainage improvements, a significant portion of which will be allocated to improvements on Otterdale Road. Kevin Carroll, Matoaca District Supervisor, including other relevant staff will be available for a brief presentation and Q&A on Wednesday, September 30 at 6PM at the Summer Lake Clubhouse (17040 Lake Summer Dr). Space will be limited with registration, social distancing and facial coverings being required. Please email [email protected] to register for the meeting. You do not need to be a resident of the Summerlake community to attend.

Phil Plymale
Beckenham Neighborhood
[email protected]
FB: Matoaca United

2020-09-27 13:26:30 -0400