By John Wayne – June 2025

It would seem from the articles in the local papers and newsletters that development is all around our quiet and peaceful Lake.  As we head into the summer season, there are several developments, commercial, residential and leisure, continuing to come into view around Lake Anna.  I thought it would be interesting to piece this together as best I can through my own investigation and through the reporting of the new and growing local media outlets around the lake.

If you start with the Louisa side of the “New Bridge” the so called “Lake Anna Resort” is still a thing, or perhaps a bigger thing?  You will remember that the developer met with the Louisa Board of Supervisors early this year and ended up withdrawing, for now,  his request to expand the number of smaller condo units and thereby the total number of condos, while offering what was considered by the Board of Supervisors to be a “paltry” proffer of funds to the Fluvanna/Louisa Housing and Lake Anna Emergency foundations.  The request was pulled back during the meeting and prior to a vote so that the developer can work within the system to see if he can produce a plan that is able to gain approval. Meanwhile, there has been no outward appearance of progress for this development.

Continuing west about a half mile, 15 acres of land fronting 208 on the south side near Station 8 is expected to become a commercial development, housing professional service providers, and other businesses.  This tract is being developed by the M Group, who are making a splash in the area through local media blurbs and meetings with various constituencies.  One stated goal is to bring some form of healthcare closer to the lake.  They would prefer a Free-Standing ER over an Urgent Care facility however the demographics of our area are making this a difficult proposition.  We will see what types of professional services they can attract to this development as it progresses.

On the private side down Kentucky Springs Road there continues to be residential development activity on the private side at Rock Island Landing part II which will turn 137 acres of land into a 74 lot waterfront subdivision on the private side of the lake off Elk Creek Road.

Looping back towards Wares Crossroads on 208, Cutalong continues to move forward, gaining the support of County officials for their continued changes, including taking their road system and the entire community private, as in a gated community, and continued plans for over 800 housing units of varying sizes, shapes and functions.  The long-awaited Clubhouse is expected to be completed in July and there is a rumor that another golf course is coming within the next couple of years.  The stated goal they are pursuing is a premier destination resort at Lake Anna.

Moving to Wares Crossroads, there are two, perhaps three commercial developments underway.  Roundabout Plaza is taking shape with a groundbreaking ceremony held in January.  This retail, food, and sports complex of approximately 30,000 sq ft. is expected to house the Lazy Parrot sports bar, a Gym, the Mad Batter from Mineral, and perhaps others.  On both sides of Mansfield Road and past the roundabout across from Dickinson’s store, land making up what has been dubbed the Lake Anna Gateway is reported to have been sold to a “local development family” who intends to bring the long-awaited next grocery store, casual dining and other desired services to the area.  This land has also been cleared of trees in the past two months.  On the opposite side of the Louisa Transfer Station, where the other trees are missing, there are rumors of another commercial/services store front coming.

Heading north on 522 and into Spotsy, Dollar General is adding another store at the southeast corner of 522 and Monrovia Road.  The building has gone up at lightning speed, and I will be surprised if it is not open for business sometime this summer.  A bit further east down Monrovia Road (612), there remains the uncompleted development of Goodwin Cove which the late David Hunter had planned.  Rumor is that another developer is working to take over and complete this, and perhaps other uncompleted Hunter projects around the lake.  This development is slated for 35 homes.

Across the 522 bridge, into Orange County, but still in Spotsy, I do expect a residential development on what has been called the Hayden property.  Having been around twice with Spotsylvania County on different plans for this land, it now seems it will be developed in accordance with the “by right” limitations of the current zoning which is 12 residential houses.  No word on timing or exactly what this will look like.

Heading back around Days Bridge Road, off 719, in the headwaters area of Plentiful Creek, there is a small development planned for two parcels of land.  Under the current zoning designations for both parcels of land the yield of "by right" lots able to be subdivided is 16.  The developer desires to subdivide the smaller of the two parcels into 16 waterfront lots, donating most of the other parcel to the County to be added to Jett Park, with road access to the new subdivision off 719 on the north side of the expanded Jett Park.  This plan is in the initial stages, having held the required Community meeting in February 2025. While this area of the County generally requires residential lots to be a minimum of two acres, the developer is maneuvering to take advantage of the “lakeside exception” permitting the placement of houses on as little as one acre of land at the waterfront.

Continuing around on the Spotsylvania side of the lake in the “208 corridor” the rumors surrounding the Hairfield property continue to swirl.  Originally submitted to the County early in 2023, I expect the last application including three parcels of land totaling 238 acres to be withdrawn while work continues on a new application. Included in the new application will likely be the parcels formerly identified in the Towns at Point Seanna application, which was never approved.  You may recall that the “Town’s” application, filed by the late David Hunter to develop the point across from Anna Point Marina with commercial and town house residential development, had stalled.  Now this property may be destined to be added to the commercial development in the next Hairfield submission.  Sources within the County indicate they expect an entirely new submission package for the rezoning of the total development.  I expect the residential development to remain single family detached under the PDH-1 zoning, permitting houses on one acre lots.  The commercial development could be far more extensive with the additional parcel and the attractive options that come with waterfront.  This will essentially place the Hairfield application back at square one with a new zoning application and GDP that will outline the development in its entirety.

The Lake Anna region is clearly ripe with development.  This is not the totality of development around the lake but a good sampling.  The governing bodies in both Louisa and Spotsylvania counties have a desire for commercial development in what they refer to as the Lake Anna Corridor, Rt. 208, on both sides of the bridge.  LACA encourages you to be active with the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors of these two counties, letting them know your thoughts on future development in our growing area. Continue to watch our website, https://lakeannavirginia.org for details on these and other developments around the lake.  Also, there is only one of me, so if there is a Land Use issue that you are concerned about that I have not mentioned here, please send me an email at john.wayne@lakeannavirginia.org, and I will look in to it.