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Neighbors fight Short Pump development

Posted at 11:09 PM, May 21, 2012
and last updated 2012-05-22 07:34:19-04

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) – A local group vows to fight the development of one of the last truly rural parts of Short Pump.

From the peaceful porches on Kain Road in Short Pump comes protest over a proposed development  that neighbors say will disturb the local environment—a rural environment that’s home to birds and deer.

“They’re going to be scarce pretty soon because of this development,” said one concerned resident.

The strip of old farm houses have been in families for decades, and now homeowners are clinging to their sliver of serenity that’s tucked behind a massive shopping mall, restaurants and lots and lots of new housing.

“There’s absolutely no rhyme or reason why we should have more apartments,” said Sarah Powell.

But Henrico County board member David Kaechele said there is a reason for the big development.

The proposal is to build over 400 new apartments at the corner of Bacova and the Gayton Road extension.  Kaechele said it’s simply a matter of growth and that these apartments are higher end, and are as close to the highway as possible.

But some neighbors say it’s taking over what little they have left.

“This just leaves no room for the wildlife, that’s too dense of development,” said a neighbor.

The design plans for the development will go before Henrico’s planning commission Wednesday morning. The neighbors on Kain Road plan to attend and voice their disappointment.

“Our wildlife is disappearing and we would like to save our little bit of country,” said Powell.

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