Proposed 199-home development raises traffic, school concerns near Spring Run
TL;DR: East West Communities' proposal to build 199 homes on 102 acres near Spring Run Road has won planning commission approval and now heads to the Board of Supervisors, with residents expressing concerns about traffic and school capacity.
Quick facts
- Who: East West Communities (developer); Chesterfield County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors; residents including Melora Saunders and Melanie Downs
- What: Proposed 199-home residential development on 102 acres with zoning change from Agricultural to Semi-Urban Neighborhood
- When: Planning Commission approved; now awaiting Board of Supervisors decision (date not yet scheduled as of July 23, 2026)
- Where: 13200 Spring Run Road, west of Pocahontas State Park, Chesterfield County
The story
East West Communities is seeking to develop up to 199 single-family homes on 102 acres at 13200 Spring Run Road, located west of Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield County. The project would rezone the property from Agricultural (A) to Semi-Urban Neighborhood (SU). The developer plans to build approximately two homes per acre, with individual lots ranging from 4,500 to 11,000 square feet.
The centerpiece of the development would be a 9-acre lake serving as the project's main amenity. The developer has committed to preserving approximately 25 percent of the property as amenity space around the lake and wildlife habitats. The proposal also includes major repairs to a dam currently in poor condition on the site.
To address traffic concerns, the developer proposes widening Spring Run Road with dedicated turn lanes. The project would also include installation of a telecommunications tower to improve cell phone service in the area.
Chesterfield County planning staff recommended approval of the project. The Planning Commission has now approved the proposal, and the decision moves to the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors for final consideration.
The project has generated concern among nearby residents. Resident Melora Saunders noted existing traffic challenges, stating "I have to plan doctors appointments around, 'Well, it's school time'" due to congestion during school hours. Resident Melanie Downs expressed worries about school capacity, noting that "the schools are marginally under capacity. Well, you put something like this in there, they're going to be over capacity."
According to information presented during the planning process, the development is projected to bring nearly 100 additional students to area schools, approximately 98 additional police calls yearly, and a 1 percent increase in EMS calls.
Key players
- East West Communities: Developer of proposed Spring Run residential project
- Melora Saunders: Resident expressing traffic concerns
- Melanie Downs: Resident expressing school capacity concerns
The case for
The development would address infrastructure needs in the area, including much-needed repairs to a dam currently in poor condition that staff has identified as a potential future liability. The project includes improvements to Spring Run Road with dedicated turn lanes to manage traffic flow, and would bring expanded telecommunications service to an underserved area. The developer's commitment to preserving 25 percent of the property as open space and amenities balances density with environmental and recreational considerations.
The case against
Residents and nearby communities have expressed legitimate concerns about the project's traffic impacts on an already-congested corridor during school hours, and the addition of nearly 100 students to schools that current residents describe as marginally under capacity. The nearly two-fold increase of roughly 98 annual police calls and additional emergency services demands would strain county resources. The project represents significant density and land use change in an area previously zoned for agricultural use, raising questions about whether the scale of development is appropriate for the existing infrastructure.
Why it matters: The Spring Run development decision will set a precedent for growth in this area of Chesterfield and directly affect quality of life for area residents through traffic patterns, school enrollment, and emergency response times. The project's outcome will influence how the county manages the balance between residential growth and infrastructure capacity in developing areas.
Places
Development timeline
- 2026-07-23Planning Commission approves East West Communities Spring Run development proposal: The Chesterfield County Planning Commission approved the 199-home development proposal, recommending it advance to the Board of Supervisors for final decision on the zoning change from Agricultural to Semi-Urban Neighborhood. [source]
Related links
- Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors
- Board of Supervisors Agendas and Minutes
- Chesterfield County Planning Commission
Read the original at WTVR CBS 6 Local →
Sources
- Spring Run Road development raises traffic, school concerns for some Chesterfield residents
- Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors
- Chesterfield County Planning Commission