March board highlights

 

In case you are unaware, a major repaving project is underway on Rt. 6 between Dover Road and Crozier, until March 25^th. Please avoid this area if at all possible. Expect significant delays.

At its March 7 meeting, the Goochland Board of Supervisors heard results of “safety study” for Fairground Road performed by Kittleson and Associates, (https://www.kittelson.com/) to take a look at safety concerns on Fairground Road, and offer recommendations for their mitigation. The study, which “kicked off” in September 2022, was funded by the Virginia Department of Transportation

The scope of the study did not include the Fairground/Sandy Hook Road interchange, because of construction of a roundabout there, or the Hidden Rock/Fairground intersection. No reason was given for exclusion of the latter site.

After listening to the results of the study and the cost of some suggested improvements, the supervisors voted 4-1 with Vice Chair Charlie Vaughters in dissent, to “receive” the report. Vaughters said that he would have preferred to vote to approve the report.

County Transportation Manager Austin Goyne explained that the study documents potential safety improvements and includes 2023 cost estimates for the work. All roads in Goochland County are funded, built, and maintained by VDOT. Often, funding for a particular project is obtained via a competitive process and awarded based on various criteria, including how “shovel ready” it is. The study suggested a roundabout at the Maidens/Fairground Road interchange and paving and widening of shoulders in some areas. 

On Tuesday March 14 at 1 p.m. the board will hold a transportation workshop perhaps to discuss the study and see how it fits with the county capital improvement plan to fund road improvements.

Other highlights of the March 7 meeting:

 

Town hall meetings

Spring town hall meetings will be held for District 1 on March 23 at Byrd Elementary School 2704 Hadensville Fife Road and Districts 2&3  on March 30 at Central High School Cultural and Educational Center,2748 Dogtown Road. Sessions begin at 6:30. They are also available via Zoom go to https://www.goochlandva.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=935 for links

The meeting for Districts 4&5 was held on March 8.

Chick fil A

Board members attended a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Chick fil-A under construction on Broad Street Road near the Wawa. Chair Neil Spoonhower, District 2, reported that Chick fil-A is aware that people in the western part of the county would like one also. (Anyone with a few extra coins in the couch cushions should go to https://www.chick-fil-a.com/franchise for more information on bringing one to the upper end.)

School budget

Goochland Superintendent of Schools, Jeremy Raley Ed.D presented the proposed school budget for FY24. Go to https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NTXoT13JFR9NjAhmfHYto6iQ5yisExHR/view for an executive summary.

Raley extolled the achievements of our school division, which has been ranked #1 in the Richmond region for five consecutive years. He credited the extraordinary people at all levels that make education in Goochland a good experience for making this possible. He also, like other department heads, outlined the challenges of attracting and retaining the best employees while competing with neighboring jurisdictions that have “deeper pockets” than Goochland.

Village Plans

Deputy  County Administrator Krystal Onaitis announced that Timmons Group has been retained by the county to complete the small area plans for Centerville and Courthouse Village. Timmons, said Onaitis, will  provide “a path forward” combining a fresh perspective and using all citizen input to craft  a flexible plan to guide land use decisions.

Public hearings

The supervisors agreed to defer a hearing on a rezoning application filed by Tuckahoe Lands, LLC to allow 17 lots on 14.298 acres at 12310 River Road in District 5 until April 18.

Conditional use permit applications filed by Capital Broad, LLC for 15.2 acres at 250 Broad Street Road  to operated a short term unhosted rental and place of public assembly (event venue) was unanimously denied by the supervisors.

The subject property, zoned A-2, is in area designated as “rural enhancement” by the county’s comprehensive land use plan. The applicant proposed an event venue using porta potties and tents in clear view of nearby homes. An existing home on the property would be used for short term rentals unhosted (think Airbnb).

The supervisors contended that the proposed change of land use was not consistent with the comp plan. Other event venues in the county have permanent structures, including bathrooms.