At its May meeting the Spotsylvania Board of Supervisors voted 6-0 to deny a staff recommended subdivision located on Lake Anna in the upper Pamunkey Branch.
Developer Trey Wills (WC Lake Anna, LLC) had his agent, attorney Torrey Williams present the plan that requested rezoning that would allow the creation of a 40-home community on 131.9 acres. The plan called for rezoning from resort agricultural classification to planned residential rural.
Chairman Jacob Lane, Livingston District (where the project was proposed) noted his constituents were overwhelmingly opposed to the project and that he voted per their wishes.
“I depend on my constituents for feedback in how I’m going to vote. I am their representative, put here to represent their will and the overwhelming feedback has not been positive for this project.”
The property in question, known as the Hayden Property, was also the subject of a proposed RV park, which was denied in 2022. Williams said the previous denial was heard “loud and clear,” and he believed his client addressed all concerns related to that project.
The proffers for the 40 homes included a right-of-way dedication, a right-in turn lane and a right-out taper. Also added was a historical preservation effort, a plan to mitigate the harmful effects of algae bloom and a $500 cash contribution to public schools per unit.
“It’s not advantageous to our group, my client, to do something that’s going to be harmful for the lake,” Williams said. “That’s why the proffers are so extensive … so cutting edge.”
Twenty-eight homes would’ve been built on two-acre lots, with 12 others on one-acre lots. The plans included a swimming pool with a clubhouse, boat launch, covered boat docks, dog park, two green walking trails and preservation of a historic building.
Developer Lonnie Carter, who worked with Wills and Williams on the project told Life & Times, “We worked with the community, the district Supervisor and the Lake Anna Civic Association to address concerns and offered precedent-setting proffers, so we were disappointed and concerned when the rezoning was denied.”
Greg Baker, President of the Lake Anna Civic Association noted, “LACA participated in the rezoning process for the ‘Hayden’ property, especially when the developer was considering an RV park. During the latest effort by the owners to rezone the property to PRR-3, with 40 homes, LACA did not take a position for or against the rezoning. We were somewhat surprised by the decision to deny.”
