The residential density reduction comes in response to feedback that officials heard while developing the new zoning ordinance, which went into effect earlier this year. In reducing the residential density currently envisioned in the comprehensive plan, officials intend to preserve the county’s rural character and align with updated transportation planning. The draft plan also includes a 7.5% countywide decrease in commercial density, though Haasch cautioned that isn’t a hard-and-fast reduction. He said Chesterfield generally is less focused on control of commercial development compared to residential, but needed a commercial density calculation for transportation planning purposes. Chesterfield expects to adopt a new comprehensive plan by the end of this year, after kicking off the update project, which is being called Comprehensive Plan Modernization Project, or PlanMod, in March.