Chesterfield County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Chesterfield County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Fall Line Trail southern section
Vice Chair Carroll reported the 9.5-mile southern section of the 43-mile Fall Line Trail is moving forward through VDOT, connecting Colonial Heights, Chesterfield, and Petersburg for walking and biking.
Farmers market infrastructure needs
A resident asked the county to install electrical power and asphalt at the government complex and Latino Market farmers market sites so vendors don't get stuck in mud and can run their equipment.
HR 1 Medicaid work requirements and eligibility reviews
Starting next July, federal HR 1 changes mean Medicaid expansion recipients face eligibility reviews twice a year instead of once, and roughly 11,000 of the 80,000 people served are projected to be at risk under new work requirements. Social Services is ramping up outreach, employment services, and partnerships to keep people covered.
Road Safety Assessment
Chesterfield County is taking a closer look at safety on a stretch of Branders Bridge Road that’s flagged as one of its most crash-prone corridors. If you drive that route, expect possible changes aimed at reducing crashes.
Tax Increase
A resident urged the board to reject the proposed 1% sales tax increase, arguing the county has unused borrowing capacity, underestimated school build-out costs, and a multi-billion-dollar road deficit that the tax would really be covering.
Record visitor spending and sports tourism growth
Chesterfield's visitor economy hit a record $675.5 million, up nearly 40% since 2016, ranking No. 9 in Virginia. Tourism revenue funds free field rentals for local leagues and is bringing the CIAA/MEAC championships and Special Olympics nationals to the county in 2027.
FOIA compliance and county-owned phones
A 30-year resident asked the county to issue county-owned phones to all employees and require public business on them, arguing personal phones create a FOIA blind spot and that records may be illegally leaving county possession when board members leave office.
Sidewalk Construction
Chesterfield is building a brand new sidewalk along Chester Village Drive to make walking and biking between Chester Garden Trail and Womack Road a whole lot safer. The project is being funded through community connectivity grants designed to improve local pedestrian infrastructure.
Election Sign Policy
Chesterfield County just changed its rules on election signs outside polling places, raising big constitutional questions by potentially banning nonpartisan groups. It's a major shift in how political and civic speech will be handled during voting season.
Road Construction
Bellwood Road drivers are finally getting a new turnaround at the end of the street, completely paid for by state funds. It's a quick fix that should make navigating the end of that road a whole lot easier.
Marijuana Zoning
Chesterfield County is working on new zoning rules to decide where legal marijuana shops can open since they aren't allowed to ban them completely. Expect to see local regulations shaping up around your neighborhood as the state prepares for legal sales to begin.
Munster Battery Energy Storage Facility
A proposal to construct a commercial battery energy storage facility on 38 acres along Watkins Centre Parkway.
Nunnally Village Large-Scale Residential and Commercial Development
A major mixed-use development on Hull Street Road will bring a 200-bed HCA hospital, commercial shopping, and up to 1,000 homes to western Chesterfield.
Twin Rivers Master Plan & Density Modification
Residents in a 55+ Chester community strongly opposed shifting 150 apartment units closer to their neighborhood, citing severe traffic gridlock and loss of privacy.
Whitby East Genito Road Residential Rezoning
The board approved a 380-unit multifamily and condominium development on a 35.8-acre site off River Haven Avenue, bringing new housing and road improvements to the Bermuda District.
Comprehensive Plan Modernization (PlanMOD) Update
The county is overhauling its comprehensive plan, reducing overall residential density by nearly 10% to protect rural character while introducing interactive online tools like Story Maps for public engagement.
Election Guide
Chesterfield County just dropped its official 2026 voting guide, giving residents all the details they need to participate in local elections. It is a quick read that helps you figure out where, when, and how to cast your ballot without any hassle.
Grants Application
Got a neighborhood project in mind? Chesterfield County is taking applications for FY28 Community Enhancement grants until December 15, so now's the time to pitch your ideas for funding.
Election Deadlines
Don't get caught off guard—Chesterfield County is putting out reminders to make sure your voter registration is up to date and your absentee ballot plans are set for the November 3 election.
Planning Commission Meeting
Heads up, Chesterfield: the Planning Commission is meeting on Oct. 20, and you can chime in on local developments either in person or online. It's a quick way to stay in the loop on how your neighborhood is growing.
Police Shooting
Chesterfield County police held a press conference to brief the public on a recent officer-involved shooting. These incidents always raise serious questions about local safety and police accountability.
School Redistricting
West Ridge High families, pay attention—the Chesterfield school board just finalized its redistricting map, deciding that Newmarket Village kids will stay at Midlothian High instead of moving.
Chesterfield Recovery Academy Operations and Support
The Recovery Academy serves students in recovery from substance use, and this briefing showed county and state leaders how the program runs and who funds and supports it. It could shape future county or regional decisions on recovery school services.
School Capacity Rezoning
Chesterfield is redrawing school zones to fix overcrowding at spots like Curtis Elementary because the county is growing so fast. If you've got kids in the public school system, your family might be impacted by a mandatory school transfer.
Landfill Environmental Violations
The former owners of Shoosmith Landfill are locked in a legal battle over environmental bonds and pollution violations, trying to shift the blame to a subcontractor. If you live around here, you definitely want to keep an eye on who's actually cleaning up the mess.
Public Meetings
Chesterfield County is hosting community meetings to show residents what's being built and zoned in their neighborhoods. It's a quick way to find out about upcoming developments right down your street.
Landfill Bankruptcy
The operators who walked away from the troubled Shoosmith Landfill just had their bonds raised to $50,000, and they can finally head to Texas once they settle up and clear their legal hurdles in Virginia.
Park Development
Chesterfield County is upgrading Point of Rocks Park by building a new access road, parking lots, and walking paths around the historic Strachan House, with construction running from this fall until spring 2027.
Park Infrastructure Upgrade
Chesterfield is giving Harry G. Daniel Park a major glow-up, complete with a brand-new stadium and covered seating on Field 8 by the end of 2026. If you've ever roasted in the bleachers during a summer tournament, you're going to love this.
Landfill Regulation
State lawmakers are pushing for stricter landfill regulations in Chesterfield County after the former owners of the abandoned Shoosmith Landfill were arrested. The move comes as locals sound the alarm over environmental safety and a glaring lack of oversight.
Landfill Legal Action
The former owners of Chesterfield County's notorious Shoosmith Landfill were slapped with grand jury indictments and arrested, marking a major turning point in the local environmental saga.