Developer files third proposal for Genito Crossing
TL;DR: D.R. Horton has filed a third proposal for the Genito Crossing residential project on a 14-acre former cinema site in Chesterfield, following a nine-month gap after withdrawing a scaled-down plan before the Board of Supervisors could vote.
Quick facts
- Who: D.R. Horton (developer) and Village of Faith Ministries (property owner)
- What: Third residential proposal for 111 for-sale townhomes on former Genito Cinema 9 site, with central recreation area
- When: Filed June 2026, nine months after previous proposal withdrawn October 2025
- Where: 11000 Hull Street Road at Genito Road, Chesterfield County, Virginia
The story
D.R. Horton has filed a third proposal for the Genito Crossing residential project, a redevelopment of the former Genito Cinema 9 property at 11000 Hull Street Road in Chesterfield. The 14-acre site is now owned by Village of Faith Ministries, a Sandston-based nondenominational church that has used the former cinema building as its Southside location since 2012.
The current proposal calls for 111 for-sale townhomes ranging from 105 to a maximum of 112 units, along with a central recreation area and common amenities. Two-story townhomes would be at least 1,200 square feet with front-loading garages and driveways. Planned amenities include a dog park, recreational field, play area, covered pavilion, fire pit, outdoor games, benches, and hardscaped patio and outdoor eating areas.
The filing marks the third iteration of the project after significant revisions. The original 2023 proposal called for 232 units, with 192 apartments and 40 townhomes. In 2025, the project was substantially scaled down to focus on townhomes instead of apartments. That revised proposal received unanimous endorsement from the Chesterfield County Planning Commission in June 2025 but was withdrawn before the Board of Supervisors could vote in August 2025. Michael Jones, the church's senior pastor and a Virginia state senator, indicated the project was withdrawn because D.R. Horton "didn't have the votes" among supervisors.
The current proposal includes proffers requiring a 50-foot landscape buffer adjacent to Woodsong Drive, tree preservation within a similar-sized buffer adjacent to Genito Forest, and road cash proffers of $5,922 per unit, totaling over $621,000 for 105 units. The plan also adds more landscaping, a vinyl-and-metal security fence between the property and the adjacent Food Lion-anchored Genito Crossing Shopping Center, and a sidewalk connection to the adjacent Genito Townes community.
Key players
- D.R. Horton: Homebuilder and developer of the Genito Crossing project
- Village of Faith Ministries: Property owner of the former Genito Cinema site
- Michael Jones: Senior pastor of Village of Faith Ministries and Virginia state senator
- Jeff Geiger: Hirschler attorney representing D.R. Horton in rezoning application
Key dates
- 2023-12-06: Original Genito Crossing proposal filed with 232 units (192 apartments, 40 townhomes)
- 2025-02-28: Revised proposal filed focusing on 111 townhomes instead of apartments
- 2025-06-30: Planning Commission unanimously recommends approval of revised plan
- 2025-08-01: Project withdrawn before Board of Supervisors vote scheduled for August
- 2026-06-30: Third proposal filed with further refinements including additional landscaping and buffers
The case for
The project would activate underutilized property in a developed area, adding housing supply in an established commercial corridor along Hull Street and Genito Road. The townhomes would generate property tax revenue while limiting density compared to the original apartment-focused plan. The inclusion of buffers, landscaping, and community amenities addresses neighborhood concerns and provides pedestrian connectivity to adjacent residential areas. Road proffers contribute to infrastructure needs in the area.
The case against
Residents and supervisors have shown concern about density and neighborhood impacts, as evidenced by the project's prior withdrawal despite planning commission approval. The original 232-unit proposal and scaled-down versions both faced skepticism, suggesting persistent community opposition. The multiple revisions and extended timeline may indicate that fundamental concerns about the project's fit in the area remain unresolved, regardless of amenity improvements or proffers.
Why it matters: This project represents a test of Chesterfield's evolving housing strategy on infill sites in developed corridors and signals whether the county's development community and leadership can find consensus on repurposing underused commercial properties for residential use, a growing planning priority in the region.
Places
Development timeline
- 2023-12-06Original proposal filed: D.R. Horton and Village of Faith Ministries announce Genito Crossing project with 232 units (192 apartments and 40 townhomes) on 14-acre former cinema site [[source]](https://richmondbizsense.com/2023/12/06/church-planning-redevelopment-of-hull-street-road-site-with-192-apartments-40-townhomes/)
- 2025-02-28Scaled-down plan filed: Second proposal replaces apartments with townhomes, reducing total units to 111 for-sale townhomes [[source]](https://richmondbizsense.com/2025/02/28/apartments-scrapped-more-townhomes-proposed-for-church-site-at-hull-street-and-genito/)
- 2025-06-30Planning Commission approval: Chesterfield County Planning Commission unanimously recommends approval of revised Genito Crossing plan to Board of Supervisors [[source]](https://richmondbizsense.com/2025/06/30/reworked-genito-crossing-plan-gets-ok-from-chesterfield-planning-commission/)
- 2025-10-22Project withdrawn: D.R. Horton withdraws proposal before Board of Supervisors vote, citing lack of support from supervisors nine months before new filing [[source]](https://richmondbizsense.com/2025/10/22/scaled-down-genito-crossing-plan-withdrawn-by-developer/)
- 2026-06-30Third proposal filed: D.R. Horton files third proposal for Genito Crossing with additional landscaping, vinyl-and-metal security fence, and refined site design [[source]](https://richmondbizsense.com/2026/06/30/developer-files-third-proposal-for-genito-crossing-project-at-cinema-turned-church-site/)
Related links
- Chesterfield County Planning Commission
- Active Development and Zoning Cases - Chesterfield County
- Board of Supervisors - Chesterfield County
- Genito Road Corridor Study - Chesterfield County
Read the original at Richmond BizSense →
Sources
- Developer files third proposal for Genito Crossing project at cinema-turned-church site - Richmond BizSense
- Scaled-down Genito Crossing plan withdrawn by developer - Richmond BizSense
- Reworked Genito Crossing plan gets OK from Chesterfield Planning Commission - Richmond BizSense
- Church planning redevelopment of Hull Street Road site with 192 apartments, 40 townhomes - Richmond BizSense
- Apartments scrapped, more townhomes proposed for church site at Hull Street and Genito - Richmond BizSense
- Chesterfield County Planning Commission