Major Landowner Plans Huge Network of Houses, Recreation, Trails

Western Pocahontas pledges to protect the environment as it responds to the demands of a growing region

The plans focus on areas around Davis and Corridor H, shown on the left side of the photo, and Thomas. Photo by Justin Harris.

The largest private landholder in the region unveiled sweeping plans for 17,500 acres it owns in Tucker County including hundreds of new houses and apartments, an expansive network of trails, new recreation facilities, an urgent care facility located between Davis and Thomas, and more.

The near-term focus will be on housing, with the goal of creating more than 120 new homes, long-term rental units, and bunkbed-style workforce lodging within the next few years to meet the demands of a growing region.

“These are huge pieces of property, and we know it’s a lot to absorb,” said Roy Bechtol, president of a land planning firm hired by Western Pocahontas Properties. “But you’ve got to start somewhere.” Bechtol’s firm specializes in “environmentally conscious resort and master planned communities,” especially golfing communities, according to its website.

Bechtol cited a water park as an example of a possible future recreation option and “something to bring excitement to the area.”

Roy Bechtol discusses Western Pocahontas’s development plans at a Davis town council meeting.

Standing Room Only

Rumors of big development plans by Western Pocahontas have circulated for years with few concrete actions. The firm has kept a low profile, revealing little about its plans.

That changed last week when the company made two public presentations, one October 22 at a Thomas City Council meeting, followed by another at a Davis Town Council meeting October 23.

The Western Pocahontas presentation in Thomas drew only a few spectators. However, the presentation in Davis drew a standing-room-only crowd, with about 50 people present.

The plans discussed at the meetings are for areas in and around Davis and Thomas, and along Corridor H.

Previous Coverage of Growth and Development

• Houses Are Springing Up at a Torrid Pace. Can it Continue?

• Airbnb Growth Sparks Fierce Debate as Key Vote Looms in Davis

• Growing Pains: Davis Seeks to Tame Impact of Development

Here are some of the major projects Western Pocahontas outlined for the near term, and a map presented at the meetings: