Plans for Bray’s Fork Development Discussed



The Essex County Planning Commission learned details about the “Essex Point At Mt. Clement” project last week.

The Essex County Planning Commission learned details about the “Essex Point At Mt. Clement” project last week.

The Essex County Planning Commission last week gained insight into an $80 million mixeduse development project that — if approved — will bring a variety of housing and business opportunities here.

Shiree Monterio, the owner and founder of 7 And M Development, LLC, made the November 1 presentation regarding the 13-acre project that proposed to be situated between the LaGrange Industrial Park and the VCU Tappahannock Hospital property just off Richmond Highway.

The project’s initial phase is being called “Essex Point at Mt. Clement.”

Monterio told the commissioners that the property is owned by her family whose business roots in Essex County date back to 1878. She is the granddaughter of the late prominent Essex County entrepreneur Thomas “Sonny” Harris.

“Our development plan is a vision of all our generations coming together with input from my grandfather down to my mother and siblings,” she said. “We think this will create a place that will impact lives to be greater and sustainable.”

The planned community will feature independent, affordable senior housing, centralized wellness and community services, workforce housing, retail, and a medical/education office.

“We see this community as something that can serve but also attract individuals to the town, county and region as a whole,” Monterio said.

She noted that a rezoning application has been submitted asking that the property be rezoned from B-1 (Business) to PUD (Planned Unit Development) District.

She said a general development plan has also been submitted to the county with feedback resulting in the submission of a preliminary site plan.

Moreover, Monterio noted that Essex County will be requested to adopt a resolution to designate the site as a “Revitalization Area” to assist with financing and critical points from the Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA). A funding application will be submitted to the VHDA.

“That way the county can show its support for this project,” Monterio said. “By giving us this legislation, we can get critical points in the tax application process and it also makes us eligible for predevelopment loans from the Department of Community Development.”

Monterio said the project connects health care with housing through a three-prong approach: mixed income (for senior and workforce housing), mixed use (for housing, commercial, community, institutional, and cultural uses), and centralized community services (a hub of community and wellness spaces to bring programming, services, and activities).”

Senior housing would serve those 55 years of age and older, while workforce housing would serve teachers, health care, law enforcement, municipal and county employees, and other human services employees.

Senior housing (mixture of one and two bedroom units for multifamily and single family duplex for two bedroom units) is expected to feature approximately 106 units serving up to 400 individuals.

The workforce housing would feature around 28 units (mixture of one and two bedroom multi family units) serving up to 68 individuals.

“Communities are most successful when they have residents from across all income levels and have a mixture of uses to create activity,” Monterio said. “Our community is targeting retired individuals and/or working individuals in the moderate and middle income market. Funding will allow us to target between 50 percent and 120 percent area median income.”

Essex County’s Area Median Income is $65,000.

The proposed commercial density would include 20,490 square feet for community/wellness endeavors and 44,780 square feet for commercial/ retail structures.

Monterio said the project’s goal is to bring the following to the county: commerce, culture, community, and affordability.

During questioning from the planning commission, Monterio said a provision that allows for “flexible space” in the event the commercial structures do not sell will likely not be utilized. That provision would switch the commercial space to residential use.

“I don’t see that occurring because you attract those other uses by having density,” she said. “I do believe there are interested users for that (commercial space).

Moreover, Monterio said an economic impact study will be prepared that will include impacts on local schools and social services.

A preliminary site plan will be submitted in December. Monterio said funding applications can be submitted in March with VDHA and the USDA if the project is approved during the first quarter of 2023.

She said the goal is to have the final site plan and permits approved by September 2023. Groundbreaking will take place in January 2024 with a 24-36 month timeline for construction completion.

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