Dog days

Dog days

The Goochland Board of Supervisors literally began its August work with a dog related event (see GOMM Ready, set dig) before its monthly meeting.

Dr. Gary Rhodes, President of Reynolds Community College—it lost “J. Sarge” a few years ago—made his annual report to the board. The close partnership that RCC has with our school division, Dr. Stephen Geyer is on its board, is good for everyone. Rhodes explained the role that RCC has in workforce development and serving the community. Visit http://www.reynolds.edu/ and take a spin around the website for a wide range of information and course offerings at the Goochland Campus.

At the other end of the education spectrum, early life education, representatives from Smart Beginnings Greater Richmond (http://smartbeginningsrva.org/)explained to the supervisors the importance of ensuring that every child is ready to start school, and the return on investment for making that happen.  The Board adopted a resolution recognizing the  Regional Plan for School Readiness 2017-2020. The Goochland School Board also adopted this resolution.

Perhaps the most noted current activity of local government is the removal of the old growth trees in front of the administration building to expand the parking lot. The admin building, AKA the old high school, is a massive structure at the corner of Sandy Hook Road and River Road West. Those trees, even when winter bare, softened the appearance of the building and tethered it to the ground. Now, the building sits in stark relief to its background with the lights from the field behind it sticking out like sore thumbs. Parking lot renovations are expected to take 60 to 90 days.

The admin building shorn of its tree cover.

In addition to new parking, the admin building is straining at the seams. Since moving into the renovated building 12 years ago, county staff has increased. In order to better use existing space, the supervisors authorized County Administrator John Budesky to execute a contract with HBA Architecture & Interior Design, Inc. for $225,000 for services related to a county government space study and  planning consultant. (See August 1 board packet for contract details.)

The study is expected to identify long term space allocations and future needs. Recent renovations in the Community Development Department that incorporated the wide high school hallway into office and other workspace is a good example of rethinking use of existing space.

As applications for residential rezonings have increased, the supervisors authorized Budesky to execute a contract for $99,080 with TischlerBise, Inc. to complete a capital impact study and model. The product of this study will be used to help the supervisors gauge the  capital impacts of new development by type of land use and determine if there is existing capacity to handle the new development and appropriate mitigation for deficiencies. (See page 249 of the August 1 board packet for complete details.)

The county needs its own assessment of development impact on core services including law enforcement, fire-rescue, and schools rather than depending on studies prepared by consultants retained by developers. Raising taxes on existing land owners to pay for new development is a flawed policy. The study will take four months to complete.

The supervisors adopted a resolution approving the issuance of $76.5 million hospital facility revenue bonds by the Economic Development Authority as a conduit issuer on behalf of The Sheltering Arms Corporation. Proceeds from sale of these tax exempt bonds will be used to finance construction of a 175,000 square foot rehabilitation hospital in the Notch portion of West Creek. The EDA is expected to approve the bond issuance at its August 16 meeting. This action does not financially obligate Goochland County is any way.

During evening public hearings, the board approved the renewal of a conditional use permit for Donna Reynolds operating the Bandit’s Ridge event venue. Last year, the supervisors granted a very short term CUP for Reynolds in spite of objections from neighbors. Reynolds built a very soundproof barn to contain the noise. Public hearings before both the Planning Commission and Supervisors seem to indicate that the issues between Reynolds and her neighbors have been resolved.

For further information, see the complete Board packet at the supervisors’ tab on the Goochland County website: http://goochlandva.us/