Village Visions: New Kent County Barhamsville Village

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1 Village Visions: New Kent County Village June 30, 2004 Town of Ashland Counties of Charles City Chesterfield Goochland Hanover Henrico New Kent Powhatan City of Richmond Richmond Regional Planning District Commission 2104 West Laburnum Avenue, Suite 101 Richmond, Virginia Phone: (804) Fax: (804)

2 Richmond Regional Planning District Commission Planning district commissions make government more efficient and effective through coordinated planning and program analysis. Virginia's General Assembly created planning districts in 1968 under the authority of the Virginia Area Development Act - revised as the Regional Cooperation Act in to promote orderly and efficient development of the physical, social and economic elements of the districts. Through planning district commissions, now 21 in number, local governments solve mutual problems which cross boundary lines and obtain expertise from professional staffs and advice on making the most of scarce taxpayer dollars through intergovernmental cooperation. Members Town of Ashland Angela L. LaCombe Charles City County Michael L. Holmes Chesterfield County Edward B. Barber Kelly E. Miller Russell J. Gulley R.M. Dickie King George A. Roarty Arthur S. Warren Renny B. Humphrey Goochland County Malvern R. Butler Frank M. Hartz Hanover County John G. Dankos, Jr. Elizabeth W. Moorhouse John E. Gordon, Jr. Robert R. Setliff Henrico County James B. Donati, Jr. Richard W. Glover David A. Kaechele Patricia S. O Bannon Gentry Bell Lisa D. Ware Frank J. Thornton New Kent County Mark S. Daniel Stran L. Trout Powhatan County Russel E. Holland Richard W. Ayers City of Richmond Delores L. McQuinn William J. Pantele Peter R. Grimm Gwen C. Hedgepeth John C. Grier (Citizen Representative) Staff Paul E. Fisher Executive Director Jo A. Evans Assistant Executive Director Peter M. Sweetland Finance and Contracts Administrator Patricia A. Villa Communications Coordinator Daniel N. Lysy Director of Transportation Michael O. Clements Principal Planner Lawrence C. Hagin Principal Planner Jin H. Lee Senior Planner Jacqueline S. Stewart+ Director of Planning & Info. Systems Michelle E. Fults+ Principal Planner Christine H. Fix+ Senior Planner Joseph M. Ndanga Senior Planner Bradley R. Shelton Associate Planner Leigh R. Medford+ Planning Technician GIS Katherine E. Barrett Executive Secretary Rhonda J. Bailey Administrative Secretary Sharon E. Robeson Administrative Secretary + Principal project staff Demetra N. Jones Receptionist/Secretary

3 Acknowledgement Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, and the Virginia Department of Transportation. Disclaimer The contents of this document reflect the views of the Richmond Regional Planning District Commission. The Commission is responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) or the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. FHWA or VDOT acceptance of this document as evidence of fulfillment of the objectives of the rural transportation planning program does not constitute endorsement/approval of the need for any recommended improvements nor does it constitute approval of their location and design or a commitment to fund any such improvements. Additional project level environmental impact assessments and/or studies of alternatives may be necessary.

4 New Kent County: Village Vision Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS... 1 INTRODUCTION... 2 Context...2 ASSESSMENT OF EXISTING CONDITIONS... 5 Location...5 General Physical Characteristics...5 Transportation...7 Community Facilities...10 Land Use...10 MAPS...12 Page 1 of 12

5 New Kent County: Village Vision Introduction Beginning with Vision 2020: The New Kent County Comprehensive Plan, completed in 2003, New Kent County has defined the protection of rural character within the county as a key to maintaining the county s high quality of life as an overarching policy of the county. The plan is an effort to identify and articulate the goals, objectives, and implementation strategies that might offer an essential source in making local land use planning decisions. The plan specifies specific visions and principles regarding design that should be implemented to sustain the New Kent County landscape and character, and sets forth a series of goals and guidelines to help achieve these. Small area plans, beginning with the Providence Forge Village, are being undertaken for all of the county s villages, which will further detail the county s vision and recommend strategies to revitalize the county s villages. The villages of New Kent County are intended to focus development within existing areas of development in order to provide for mixed uses, affordable housing, community facilities, a multimodal transportation network all within a walkable core village. Creating dense, safe, walkable, and bikeable villages will allow for the preservation of environmentally sensitive areas and the rural landscapes that keep the county rural in nature. Context Within the Richmond region, New Kent County faces development pressure because of its scenic natural environment and landscape, and proximity to the two major metropolitan areas of Richmond Figure 1 Traditional farm scene in New Kent County and Hampton-Newport News. The county, bisected by Interstate, is relatively undeveloped and has a great potential for growth as a bedroom community to these two metropolitan areas as job seekers and homeowners look for an area with less traffic and more scenic character. The county s livability and untrammeled landscape has a special quality that appeals to many of the county s residents. (Refer to Figure 1.) At the same time, the county s unique regional setting is a magnet for development. Yet, as history reveals, the development process can destroy the very attractions that generate growth. Projections from the 2020 New Kent County Comprehensive Plan indicate that New Kent County s supply of undeveloped, open land will likely be converted to residential uses. A large percentage of this conversion will come from rural land traditionally used for farming and forestry. Page 2 of 12

6 New Kent County: Village Vision The outward growth of suburban development - sprawl - is not only an issue regarding the development of rural land but also of proper design and character. New Kent County is currently a coherent mix of natural areas, cultivated land, and loosely identifiable villages. Future suburbanization will alter the natural landscape and if not well planned and designed, will offer little aesthetics or protection of rural character. The pattern of suburban development often disrupts the landscape, severs the vital natural connections between eco-systems, and watersdown community character. While new development may meet market demands for spacious living and convenient shopping, increased traffic generated by these new homes and businesses also add to the disruption of the area. The increase in new development not only affects land uses and development decisions, but transportation planning and infrastructure as well. New residential development increases the amount of trips by vehicle as well as vehicle miles traveled if businesses are not close to where residents live. This increase in the amount of vehicles on the road will likely create congestion on roadways that have been historically rural in nature. Traffic increases have the potential to downgrade roadway efficiencies and increase the likelihood of vehicular accidents. Managing land uses and transportation together will lessen or eliminate these potential problems. Figure 2 Existing commercial development along Route 30 in Figure 3 Existing industrial trucking and distribution development along Route 30 in Page 3 of 12

7 New Kent County: Village Vision The Village has the potential to become a key node of development for the county due to its proximity to Interstate, and existing and new development occurring within a mile of the village in neighboring James City County. The village and its surrounding rural area is in danger of evolving from a small community crossroads into a high growth residential and commercial area without unique character, shape or form. The balancing act will be how to turn a crossroads village into a mixed use center, thereby decreasing the amount of vehicle trips and miles traveled in the immediate area. The task ahead to achieve this balance is to mold future development into a sustainable pattern that will maintain the natural, cultural and social health of while balancing that with much needed economic growth in the eastern end of the county. The planning challenge is not only a question of infrastructure, land use and transportation controls, but also a need to identify economic development opportunities that take advantage of development potentials stemming from the neighboring county and Interstate. Maintaining the beauty of the surrounding rural landscape and providing a central place for the community to live, work and play will occur when land uses and transportation solutions are implemented in tandem. Figure 4 The Post Office is the heart of the village Page 4 of 12

8 New Kent County: Village Vision Location Assessment of Existing Conditions New Kent County is located in the Virginia Coastal Plain between Richmond and Hampton s and serves as the gateway to the Virginia Lower Peninsula. The Pamunkey and York rivers bound the county to the north and the Chickahominy River to the south. Surrounding New Kent County are the counties of Hanover and Henrico to the west, King William to the north, King and Queen to the northeast, James City to the east, and Charles City to the south. Settlements within the county date back to Native Americans with colonial exploration around New Kent County became a transportation center with port traffic occurring along the York, Pamunkey, and Chickahominy rivers. Transportation modes continued to evolve and so too did the interstate system of highways, as Interstate now as a highly traveled interstate corridor from Richmond to peninsula port cities. New Kent s central position within this major east west corridor continues with Interstate bisecting much of the county. An interstate exit off of Route 30 in James City County is within two miles of the center of. Freight trucks are often seen traveling along Route 30 through as goods are being delivered to middle peninsula towns, including West Point in neighboring King and Queen County. Route leads additional traffic to Route 33 and West Point. The village has centered along these two intersecting transportation corridors. General Physical Characteristics developed as a post office and throughway village with the post office, and several small industrial uses forming the core of the village with smaller local and residential roads radiating out from this informal center. The western boundary lies just west of Route 30 and extends easterly along a stream and Route 705. The southern boundary stops at Route 705, while the northern boundary continues northeast along Route and encompasses portions of Mt. Nebo. The building pattern is typical of trucking or commercial villages with several industrial uses within the core and residential Figure 5 Philbates Creek drains to the York River near in New Kent County Page 5 of 12

9 New Kent County: Village Vision dwellings radiating out from the center finally passing into agricultural lands and farm fields. (Refer to Digital Aerial Photography Map.) Additional significant features include environmental areas just outside of the village bounds including Goddins Pond and Philbates Creek, which drain to the York River and Wahrani Swamp which drains to the Diascund Reservoir. These features comprise the majority of environmentally sensitive lands within and around the village. Environmental Constraints There are minimal environmental elements seen in the Village which may constrain the development of vacant lands. Environmental constraints seen in the village are primarily water resources (creeks, floodplains, and wetlands) and buffer lands surrounding these physical environmental features; the county has designated these lands as conservation lands. Chesapeake Bay regulations and the recent comprehensive plan update have reserved lands surrounding water features as limited development potential. (Refer to Environmental Constraints Map.) Most environmentally constrained areas lie outside the Village, but are still within a two mile radius sphere of influence of the village. Additional constraints tied to the land exist through soil conditions (septic suitability, slope, and erodibility). New Kent soils are known to be limited for septic suitability in many areas of the county, the eastern portion of the county around is no exception. (Refer to Septic Suitability Constraints Map.) There is limited land that is even moderately suitable for septic systems within the village. These areas already contain existing development. Highly erodable soils are also seen in this area. Based on the soil type, areas were given a ranking of high, medium, or low erodability. Most solis within the village proper are low or no erodability, with a few pockets of medium to highly erodable soils. (Refer to Soil Erodability Constraints Map.) These erodable soils are only problems when they are combined with steep slopes. Within the village there is very little area that is considered to be a steep slope, greater than 15 percent. Most areas in the village are 0-6 percent slope. Areas of concern are primarily around water features, such as streams. (Refer to Slope Steepness Constraints Map.) In accordance with the comprehensive plan these areas should continue to be reserved as protection areas with limited to no development. Constrained lands do not prohibit development; rather they require development to be built in such a way as to minimize impacts to sensitive environmental features. The sum total of environmental and land constraints show a truer picture of the readily developable land within and immediately surrounding the village and are shown in the Developmental Constraints Map. Future development appears to be limited in almost every area in and around the village. Some of these factors can be mitigated however. Septic suitability may not be an issue if a water and sewer system is constructed to serve the village. This would allow both commercial, residential and mixed-uses to be constructed and increase the density of the village, becoming more of a neighborhood-commercial and transportation center. Lands bordering streams and ponds, which characteristically steep and erodable, are prime for passive recreation such as hiking, bird watching, fishing and occasionally trails. These areas are also ideal for use as transitional buffers between development and limited passive recreation. Page 6 of 12

10 New Kent County: Village Vision Transportation New Kent County s transportation system has evolved from a water dependent system in colonial times, to one dependent on railroads for commerce around the turn of the century, to the present highway system. The earliest settlements were located along the rivers where waterways served as trade routes. Over time, a network of farm-to-market roads developed and the railroad arrived in the 1800s. The railroad was the best means for delivering products to market. In the 20 th century, the construction Interstate has allowed for the convenient transport of goods, but also has attracted new residents who can easily drive to the Richmond and Newport News areas for employment. Additional transportation modes such as rail and air make the county overall a transportation link between two major metropolitan areas, but the highway system is by far the most important existing element of the county s transportation system. Highways New Kent County s highways are maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) that divides the roads into categories based on their function. way classification is broken down into four categories: arterial, major collector, minor collector, and local. This system of road classification is useful in planning for and financing of new and improvements to existing roads. Figure 6 Route 30 westbound entering is a major collector Arterials are roads that link cities, larger towns and are capable of attracting travel over similarly long distances. Corridor movement with trip length and density is suitable for greater than those predominantly served by rural collector or local system. They integrate interstate and inter-county service and often internal spacing consistent with inter-county service. contains no arterials, but Route 33 to the north is an arterial that links West Point and Eltham to Interstate. Route 30 is the only roadway that links to Interstate about two miles south. (Refer to Figure 5.) Major collectors are roads that typically serve county seats that are not located on arterial roads; larger towns are not directly served by arterial roads and are traffic generators of intra-county importance. They link the county seats, larger towns and traffic generators with nearby larger towns or cities, or with routes of higher classifications, such as arterials. Major collectors serve the more important intra-county travel corridors. The Village of contains two major collectors. Route carries local traffic from Eltham into the southeastern portion of the County. Route dead ends into Route 30 just north of the community of. Page 7 of 12

11 New Kent County: Village Vision State Route 30 begins at the intersection of Route 33 (arterial) and Route 249 at Angleview Church and travels south toward the community of and the James City line. This major collector is the primary throughfare for the village of. State Route carries local traffic from Eltham into the southeastern portion of the County. Route dead ends into Route 30 just north of the village center of. Minor collectors are roads spaced at intervals consistent with population density to accumulate traffic from local roads and bring all developed areas within reasonable distance of collector roads. Primarily they provide service to the remaining smaller communities. Local roadways provide access to the land adjacent to the collector network and serve travel over relatively short distances. There are no minor collectors in the vicinity of. Figure 7 Rural lanes are a quiet reflective area for a monastery. Local roads provide access to the land adjacent to the collector network and serves travel over relatively short distances. The remaining roadways within the immediate village areas are local roads and often only carry 500 vehicles per day or less. Local Route 600 carries local traffic from the eastern most corner, Holly Forks area, of New Kent to Route. This quiet rural lane and the surrounding area near Goddins Pond and Philbates Creek, made it a perfect site for the Sisters of the Poor Clare to locate a monastery. Local Route 601 carries local traffic from the southeastern most corner of New Kent to Route 705, which directly links to Route 30. Local Route705 less than half a mile long carries local traffic off of Route 601 to Route 30. Local Route winds from Route 33, just north of Interstate east to Route 30, near the county line. New homes are being built in this area Page 8 of 12 Figure 8 New larger scale housing along Route.

12 New Kent County: Village Vision Rail given its link to two different interstate exit ramps. Local Route 633 or known as Barham, meanders from the intersection with Route 30 and Route 639, Mt. Nebo, southeast, crosses Route 30 again, continuing southeast and terminates just north of Route 705. This local road is a core road within the village center. Two railroad lines pass through the county. The main east west line consisting of 25 miles of rail passes through to the south of the County. This line is owned by CSX, and runs parallel to and south of Route 60 and north of the Chickahominy River. The Southern railroad is located in the western section of the county and cuts across the northern portion of the County. is not served by either of these two rail lines. Air Figure 9 Village housing on Barham. Originally constructed in 1955, the New Kent Airport is owned and operated by the county. It is located in the western end of the county just south of Interstate and west of Route 106. The airport sits on 130 acres with 63 acres of easements. Under the Airport Reference Codes, New Kent County Airport is considered a general aviation B-1 small aircraft airport. It is appropriate for airplanes with approach speeds of 91 to 120 knots with wing spans less than 48 feet. The Village of is not directly affected by the airport. Bicycle and Pedestrian Many priority routes have been identified in the New Kent County comprehensive plan that form the core of the county-wide bicycling network. These routes follow existing roadways and when implemented will connect cyclists to New Kent s villages, historical sites, and neighboring counties. Within the Village area Routes 30,, and are listed as proposed sites for the county bicycle network. Currently these routes are ideal for use by advanced or experienced riders only, as most require cyclists to share the travel lane with all other traffic. Figure 10 Farm housing along Route 633. Page 9 of 12

13 New Kent County: Village Vision There are currently no pedestrian facilities in the area and the comprehensive plan does not identify as a site for the future pedestrian network. Community Facilities Post Office is the only community facility within and is a benefit to the village residents as well as neighboring residents in James City County. (Refer to Community Facilities Map.) The post office serves as the community core, physically and mentally, providing a place where residents pick up their mail and discuss local happenings. Land Use Aerial photographs of the Village show development patterns that resemble a small thoroughfare village that center on a limited number of buildings and surrounded by farm fields and forest land. At the heart of the village is the Post Office. This site is considered to be the center of the village. Immediately adjacent to the west of the post office are several village style homes on smaller lots nestled along Barham. Further east of these homes are farm fields and forestal areas that give New Kent its rural character. To the west of the post office are a trucking facility, where 18 wheeled trailers are stored, a palette company, and an equipment rental store. Again, further west are many farm fields, although new homes are starting to Figure 11 Farm fields along Route 633. locate on these lots as farms are being subdivided and sold in a piecemeal fashion. To the north of the post office are areas of heavily forested acreage. Much of these forested areas are being used for hunting and sporting clubs. Many no trespassing signs indicate the activities occurring on these lands. The land use areas delineated on the Comprehensive Land Use Map (refer to Comprehensive Land Use Map) illustrate land use categories and relationships. These land use designations were developed through the comprehensive planning process for the 1992 Comprehensive Plan. Future land use zones for the village were developed through the recent comprehensive planning process. These designations were developed through extensive public meetings to discuss the future development patterns of the entire county. Citizen subcommittees are being formed for several of the county s villages to further refine and develop goals and patterns of the villages. The future Land Use Map is the result of these meetings and community support. Page 10 of 12

14 New Kent County: Village Vision The future land use plan for and the surrounding area (refer to Future Land Use Map) is the primary guide to direct the development of the village. The land use map is subject to interpretation and is not intended to limit high-quality development or innovative projects, community amenities, or other positive projects. Given the inherent flexibility of this assessment and the comprehensive plan, the future land use map will likely be modified over time in due consideration of the goals and objectives of the comprehensive plan. Figure 12 Forested areas with hunting uses. Page 11 of 12

15 New Kent County: Village Vision Maps Location Map Digital Aerial Photography Map Community Facilities Map Rights of Way Map Environmental Constraints Map Septic Suitability Constraints Map Slope Steepness Constraints Map Soil Erodability Constraints Map Developmental Constraints Map Existing Land Use Map Future Land Use Map Page 12 of 12

16 New Kent County Village Vision s Interstate Data Source: Vision 2020 New Kent County Comprehensive Plan, 2003 U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Richmond Regional PDC, 2004 Prepared by: Richmond Regional Planning District Commission, June 2004 Miles U.S. Highway State Highway Local Railroad

17 30 Mt. Nebo New Kent Highway Polish Town Becks New Kent County Village Vision Digital Aerial Photography Farmers Miles Miles Windy Lane Miles Stage Church 30 Barham Miles Tabernacle 601 Windy Kno ll Ropers 621 Interstate U.S. Highway State Highway Local Data Source: Vision 2020 New Kent County Comprehensive Plan, 2003 U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Richmond Regional PDC, 2004 Prepared by: Richmond Regional Planning District Commission, June 2004 Miles Stream River, Lake, Pond

18 30 Mt. Nebo New Kent Highway Polish Town Becks New Kent County Village Vision Community Facilities 620 Farmers Windy Lane Ropers Stage Church Barham Tabernacle 601 Windy Kno ll Community Facilities Post Office 621 Interstate U.S. Highway State Highway Local Data Source: Vision 2020 New Kent County Comprehensive Plan, 2003 U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Richmond Regional PDC, 2004 Prepared by: Richmond Regional Planning District Commission, June 2004 Miles Stream River, Lake, Pond

19 30 Mt. Nebo New Kent Highway Polish Town Becks New Kent County Village Vision Rights of Way 620 Farmers Windy Lane Stage Church 30 Barham 705 Tabernacle 601 Windy Kno ll Ropers Rights of Way 621 Data Source: Vision 2020 New Kent County Comprehensive Plan, 2003 U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Richmond Regional PDC, 2004 Prepared by: Richmond Regional Planning District Commission, June 2004 Miles Interstate 50' R/W 30' R/W 20' R/W Driveway Streams River, Lake, Pond

20 30 New Kent Highway Mt. Nebo Polish Town Becks New Kent County Village Vision Environmental Constraints 620 Farmers Stage Church R oad 30 Barham 705 Windy Lane Tabernacle 601 Windy Kno ll Ropers 621 Environmental Constraints Environmental Constraints Interstate U.S. Highway State Highway Data Source: Vision 2020 New Kent County Comprehensive Plan, 2003 U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Richmond Regional PDC, 2004 Prepared by: Richmond Regional Planning District Commission, June 2004 Miles Local Stream River, Lake, Pond

21 30 M t. Nebo New Kent Highway Polish R oad Town Becks New Kent County Village Vision Septic Suitability Constraints 620 Farmers Windy Lane Stage Church 30 Barham 705 Tabernacle 601 Windy Kno ll Septic Suitability Unconstrained Suitable Ropers 621 Moderately Unsuitable Unsuitable Network Interstate Data Source: Vision 2020 New Kent County Comprehensive Plan, 2003 U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Richmond Regional PDC, 2004 Prepared by: Richmond Regional Planning District Commission, June 2004 Miles U.S. Highway State Highway Local Stream River, Lake, Pond

22 New Kent County 30 M t. Nebo New Kent Highway Polish Town Becks Village Vision Slope Steepness Constraints 620 Farmers Stage Church 30 Barham 705 Windy Lane Tabernacle 601 Windy Kno ll Slope Steepness Unconstrained 0-6% 6-15% Ropers > 15% Network 621 Interstate U.S. Highway State Highway Local Data Source: Vision 2020 New Kent County Comprehensive Plan, 2003 U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Richmond Regional PDC, 2004 Prepared by: Richmond Regional Planning District Commission, June 2004 Miles Stream River, Lake, Pond

23 30 Mt. Nebo New Kent Highway Polish oad R Town Becks New Kent County Village Vision Soil Erodability Constraints 620 Farmers Stage Church 30 Barham 705 Windy Lane Tabernacle 601 Windy Kno ll Erodability Index Unconstrained Low Erodability Ropers 621 Medium Erodability High Erodability Network Interstate Data Source: Vision 2020 New Kent County Comprehensive Plan, 2003 U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Richmond Regional PDC, 2004 Prepared by: Richmond Regional Planning District Commission, June 2004 Miles U.S. Highway State Highway Local Stream River, Lake, Pond

24 30 Mt. Nebo New Kent Highway Polish Town Becks New Kent County Village Vision Developmental Constraints 620 Farmers Windy Lane Stage Church Barham Tabernacle 601 Windy Kno ll Ropers Developmental Constraints Unconstrained Area 621 Developmental Constraints Interstate U.S. Highway State Highway Data Source: Vision 2020 New Kent County Comprehensive Plan, 2003 U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Richmond Regional PDC, 2004 Prepared by: Richmond Regional Planning District Commission, June 2004 Miles Local Stream River, Lake, Pond

25 New Kent County 1992 Comprehensive Land Use Interstate US Highway State Highway Local Railroad Stream Land Use Commercial Highway Commercial Industrial Commercial Industrial Heavy Industrial Village Rural Low Density Residential Medium Density Residential Mixed Development Planned Residential Institutional Commercial Recreation Recreation 60 Source: New Kent County Comprehensive Plan, 1992 Prepared by: Richmond Regional Planning District Commission, June 2004 Miles

26 Mt. Neb o Polish Town Becks New Kent County Village Vision 2020 Future Land Use 30 Farmers 621 Stage Church Church Ropers Data Source: Vision 2020 New Kent County Comprehensive Plan Prepared by: Richmond Regional Planning District Commission, June 2004 Barham 705 Lane Windy Tabernacle Miles Windy Knol l Land Use 2020 Interstate U.S. Highway State Highway Local Stream Intermittent Stream Village Rural Lands Suburban Housing Detached Economic Opportunity Industrial Conservation River, Lake, Pond