Chesterfield County residents will have an opportunity to share their views on a proposed plan for the Northern Route 10 Corridor during a public hearing scheduled for August 27. The Board of Supervisors is set to consider the Northern Route 10 Corridor Special Area Plan, which would become part of the county’s comprehensive plan if approved.
The plan covers a 3.5-mile section of Iron Bridge Road between Route 288 and Rock Spring Drive. It does not change existing zoning or current property uses within its boundaries. Any new development or redevelopment would be initiated by private parties and would require separate zoning approval through additional public hearings.
County officials describe the northern Route 10 corridor as an important gateway, connecting Chippenham Parkway to key sites such as the courthouse, airport, and administrative offices. Despite its significance, much of the area remains undeveloped—about 40% of its roughly 840 acres are vacant among its 835 parcels.
As Chesterfield seeks to expand economic opportunities and attract new investment that benefits both residents and visitors, planners say they want clear guidance in place for future land use decisions.
“There’s an opportunity to maintain this area as a unique corridor, keep some of the greenery people love and help it develop a little differently than we’ve seen in other parts of the county,” said Brett Meadows, a senior county planner who served as co-project manager for the Northern Route 10 Corridor Special Area Plan, during a June presentation to the Planning Commission.
The special area plan offers recommendations on infrastructure upgrades, building design standards, and ways to improve connections between neighborhoods along the corridor. Currently, travel in this area is car-focused with limited pedestrian or cycling options and few links between residential areas and businesses along Route 10.
Two main development scenarios are outlined: one envisions a walkable mixed-use hub near the vacant former Walmart at Watermark community; another focuses on creating activity at Route 10 and Whitepine Road near both the county airport and Harry G. Daniel Park.
More broadly, planners propose shifting from corporate office or light industrial uses toward neighborhood business types that could bring restaurants or small-scale commercial services for local residents.
Community engagement played a role in shaping these priorities. The Planning Department collected feedback through an online survey, two community meetings, and an online comment portal before forwarding its recommendation for approval to supervisors in June.
In response to citizen input, protections for mature trees along Route 10 are included in the plan along with landscaping requirements designed to match existing vegetation patterns found in undeveloped areas.
To the north of this planning area lies Ridgedale Special Focus Area Plan—a similar development guideline approved last year by supervisors—which together with this proposal would cover more than 1,400 acres along northern Route 10.
