CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- The Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted in favor of a water sports park planned for the corner of Genito Place and Genito Road Wednesday night.
The approval came after Chesterfield County staff recommended the Board of Supervisors deny the water park over concerns of traffic and road safety that the recreational destination could generate to the area.
During the meeting Wednesday night, some nearby residents also raised those concerns to the board.
Representatives from Waterford Park responded to their concerns with a detailed plan to help improve the issues if the water park was approved.
Waterford Park, which will cost an estimated $35 million, will include shopping, a music venue, restaurants and even townhomes.
Developers previously told CBS 6 they envisioned the park less like water parks at Kings Dominion and Water Country USA, and more like a place to water ski and whitewater raft.
The water park will be built on 105 acres of land near Clover Hill High School and the River City Sportsplex.
The area had to be rezoned. To do that, developers had to agree to certain conditions such as adding turn lanes, a stop light in front of Clover Hill High School and noise level limits.
“That’s a condition of the zoning that we have to do those things or we can’t move forward,” said Jack Wilson with the council for developers. “All the transportation improvements turn lanes signals have to be constructed or we can’t open.”
Despite the deal, some neighbors weren’t convinced their daily routines will improve.
“We’re already in a horrendous traffic situation in Brandermill right now,” said one resident.
But others like business owner Sharon Fowler say the development will make Chesterfield more attractive.
“I think it will definitely be a boom to businesses around here because it will make RVA seem smaller when they come over here,” said Fowler.
Members of the Board of Supervisors agreed saying it’s time for the area to make a change, and to connect to a younger generation of residents and customers.
Construction on the water park will begin in early 2018, with the water park and lake areas to be built first.
Stay with CBS 6 for the latest on this developing story.
