Mixed messages

 

What will the next few years bring to Centerville?

    On July 25, the Goochland planning commission voted 3-1 (Matt Brewer District 2 was absent) to recommend the latest version of the Centerville Small area plan be used to amend the county’s comprehensive land use plan. Commission Chair Tom Rockecharlie, District 5, was in dissent.

The message sent by this vote, and staff comments, signal that they know best, and it’s time to move along. Nothing to see here. Someone seems to have decided that the county will be ruled, not governed.

Everyone is tired of this process. Apologies to GOMM readers about many posts on the subject, but getting this right is important. Despite repeated contentions that the proposed amendments do not change anything, loopholes that hide in the fine print of the comp plan will be used by land use attorneys to justify approval of projects in the gray areas. The land use map is the foundation for zoning ordinances.

The latest version of the Centerville small area plan, crafted by Timmons Group, using citizen input gathered by the previous consultant, was presented to the community in May as a finished product on its way to final approval. It has large scale development west of Rt. 288 throughout the village core, which was expanded west of Manakin Road. It is far too specific about density, building height, and setbacks. Comp plans are supposed to be general in nature to allow developers flexibility, which, in theory, would result in a “better” project.

The July 25 vote came after 75 minutes of public hearing, during which several neighborhood groups voiced opposition to components of the proposal and suggested specific and modest changes. (A video and transcript of the meeting is available on the county website https://www.goochlandva.us/ under “watch county meetings” planning commission. It’s worth your time.)

The comments fell on deaf ears except for Rockecharlie who supported some tweaks proposed by residents of the Sycamore Creek neighborhood. They strongly opposed extension of the village core west of Manakin Road, and inclusion of lodging. Rockecharlie did not address changes advocated by other groups.

John Myers, District 1, who participated virtually, said “we can’t make everybody happy. We’ve worked on this a long time and have a pretty good plan,” which seemed to sum up the attitude of other commissioners.

There were some head scratching moments:

·       Harry Bawa, who owns the land behind Satterwhite’s, said that what he plans to build there, believed to be a hotel, will be very nice. Bawa seemed unaware that parcel was zoned in 2009 with extensive proffers allowing only a shopping center. To build anything else on that land, he must go through the entire rezoning process. Does this means he intends to ignore county zoning rules, or has not had detailed discussions with planning staff?

·       The owners of the Sycamore Creek Golf Course said that golf courses have useful lives and when theirs is no longer economically feasible—happily not yet—the land adjacent to the Sycamore Creek neighborhood will be donated to the county. This is good news. Why was this information not shared before the 11^th hour in the small area plan revisions? Staff had to know this from the outset.

·       When asked how the proposed plan differs from that in place and what makes it better, staff tap danced in reply. The new plan, Principal Planner Tom Coleman said, will put more “tools in the toolbox” to ensure proper setbacks and provide for things like parks and a “mixture of housing types” which could result in a light version of the dystopian mess around Wegman’s. “It is intended to accomplish different things,” said Coleman with no elaboration. (A few years ago, the county worked with a consultant to fix the dysfunction that plagued local government. One of the strategies was that all county policies should be explainable in a single sentence clearly articulated by staff.)

·       Roads in the recommended plan still include the connector between Manakin and Hocket Roads parallel to 250 that has been on the land use map for decades. Residents of Oak Grove Estates, which has a deeded easement that this road would bisect, and the Parke at Saddle Creek, who do not want through traffic in their neighborhood, asked that it be removed from the plan. This road will not work when the Hockett Road realignment is finished, so it should be removed. Connecting Three Chopt Road to 250 through Mills Road in Bellview Gardens, is still in the mix. The good news, if there is any, is that these roads rarely get built. So, take them off the map.

·       Residents of Oak Grove Estates, the Parke at Centerville, and Readers Branch asked that “greenways” through wetlands, mostly on private property, adjoining their neighborhoods be removed because they would be a nuisance rather than amenity. The consultant contended that greenways “at a high conceptual level” addressed dearth of recreational opportunities.

·       Robust opposition to “lodging,” even appropriately scaled, west of Ashland Road was ignored. Even if lodging is three or fewer stories, it could be a nuisance adjoining a neighborhood. There are no gracious older homes in Centerville that could be repurposed for this use. Everything will be new construction.

·       Lodging west of Ashland Road fell into the final plan like pigeon droppings on a statue. Repeated requests for an explanation of this inclusion have fallen on deaf ears, leading to the assumption that “offline” discussions with landowners resulted in suggesting “lodging” throughout the village core.

·       “Mixed use,” read high density dwelling units, with perhaps a bit of commercial, is permitted in the entire village. The tired and misleading phase “live, work, play” was thrown out as justification. “Rooftops bring retail” was also part of the buzzword buffet. We have only to look at West Broad Village to see how disingenuous and outdated these phrases are. The term transparency, was in short supply.

·       Concern that a deluge of new homes—there was precious little discussion of commercial and economic development—will overwhelm the county’s ability to provide core services of law enforcement, fire-rescue response, and education, will be addressed in the zoning process, or something.  This could force an increase in real estate tax rates for the entire county, and hurt those in rural areas most, curtailing agricultural pursuits. Homes consume more in government services than they generate in real estate tax.

·       More detail was added to the notion of “transition zones” between mixed and commercial uses and neighborhoods, but elevations showing massive buildings “screened” from homes by a tree or two was not comforting to those who live on the edge of existing neighborhoods. There will be transition zones “as wide as I64” around Bellview Gardens and Sycamore Creek staff said.

The village plan, in place for decades, was created to absorb growth pressures and protect rural areas from sprawl. As presented, residential density along Manakin and Rockville Roads could add hundreds of dwelling units that overrun village boundaries while cornfields in land use taxation flourish at the intersection of Ashland and Broad Street Roads.

Land use is never easy. An unintended consequence of this process has been an erosion of public trust in county government. Concerned citizens devoted many hours to this process, delving deeply into land use matters with the expectation that the final product would be a framework for growth to enhance the community and generate a return on investment for landowners and developers, who will fund the changes.

Growth is like fire. Controlled it provides useful energy. Unchecked, it devours everything in its path.

The Board of Supervisors will hold the final public hearing on the Centerville Small Area Plan on Monday, August 7 beginning at 6 p.m.

 

 

 

 

The shape of things to come?

 

Proposed Centerville land use 

If geography is destiny, Goochland may be in big trouble. Since early 2022, the county has been rethinking land use parameters in both Courthouse Village and Centerville. These areas are served by public utilities that make dense land uses to accommodate all the people who want to move here possible.

Earlier this year, a small area plan amendment to the county’s comprehensive land use plan for Courthouse Village was approved by the supervisors. On July 3, a 40-lot subdivision at the very edge of Courthouse Village, in the Fairground Road corridor was approved.

The proposed small area plan revision for Centerville met with so much citizen push back when it appeared before the planning commission in June, that it was sent back to staff for, at least, clarification if not modification.

The Centerville Village is huge, running from the Henrico line to just west of Manakin Road and north to I64. Because of its size, the small area plan focused on the “core,” previously understood to be on both sides of the 250 corridor between Ashland and Manakin Roads.

Long time Goochlanders understand that the county is growing but want it to happen gracefully by creating an environment where businesses can thrive and enhance the community. New comers think that all the open land that was there when they moved will stay that way and scream when new development is proposed. There is no drawbridge at the Henrico line. Defining the sweet spot of an appropriate growth rate—some believe it’s about two percent annually—is tricky. The devil is in the details.

A proposal put forward by the first consultant tasked with revising the Centerville “vision” included lots of verbiage about signage, fonts, and branding, but only vague details about land use. Last winter, Timmons Group was retained by the county to distill community input gathered by the first consultant into a coherent proposal. This was presented at an information only session in May.

Simply put, citizen input was “don’t Short Pump Goochland”.

To the astonishment of many closely involved in the process, in the May version, the village core had been extended beyond Manakin Road, “lodging” was in a matrix of permitted uses throughout the village, and the golf course had become part of the mixed-use core with no buffer protecting existing homes. If the owners of the golf course want to change its land use, and there may well be compelling reasons to do so, there is an open process to accomplish that.

No public input at the May meeting was reflected in the proposal that went before the planning commission.  

The inclusion of “lodging” as an intended use in the entire core, instead of only east of Ashland Road, where there is a gracious plenty of raw land, is believed to be driven by the owner of the parcel behind Satterwhite’s who wants to build a hotel there. This land was rezoned with detailed proffers for a strip shopping center around 2009, to fill an “urgent” need for more retail options in Centerville.

Queries about the impact of the proposal’s higher residential densities on the county’s ability to handle significant population growth were dismissed as being too vague to calculate in a meaningful way.

By applying suggested density to acreage in the village— not every acre will be covered with “dwelling units”— could add thousands of new residents in a short time. Cash proffers will fund needed infrastructure to support growth, the consultant replied, when asked how the county will handle the cost of what could be explosive growth.

The county is in the process of building a new elementary school for about $55 million, several million above initial cost estimates. Available cash from school proffers collected over many years did not cover the shortfall. Residential construction does increase the real estate tax base, but homes require more services than agricultural or commercial uses, making it a continual game of catch up for a jurisdiction. That could lead to an increase in real estate tax rates for the whole county.

Outside the core, recommended uses for large parcels in other parts of the Centerville Village are mixed use commercial and economic development that abut existing subdivisions. Red lines drawn around Sycamore Creek and Bellview Gardens vaguely indicate “transition zones” with no definition. Is it a buffer, a fence, a berm, or a line of small caliper vegetation to be determined during rezoning?

Justification for the new plan includes making it more economically feasible for smaller, local businesses, rather the national chains, to locate in Centerville. However, because there are few existing buildings, expensive new construction will be needed to accommodate most new enterprises. Will there be enough interest, and necessary financing, to make this a reality?

It seems unlikely that changes to the proposal to amend the county comprehensive land use plan will be made before it is adopted by the supervisors on August 7. As currently drafted, the Centerville small area plan raises more questions than it answers. Maybe it’s time to scrap the proposal and stick with what’s “on the books” and leave the Centerville portion of the comp plan unchanged.

The planning commission will hold its final public hearing on the proposed Centerville plan on Tuesday, July 25 beginning at 6 p.m.

Go to the county website goochlandva.us to view to proposed plan.

Welcome our new Superintendent of Schools

 

Welcome to Goochland Michael T. Cromartie

At a special called meeting on July 13, the Goochland School Board unanimously voted to approve the selection of Michael Cromartie, Ed. D. as the division’s next superintendent.

After the departure of former superintendent Jeremy Raley in April the board set an ambitious schedule to have his successor in place before the start of the next school year on August 14.

For the past few weeks, school board members gathered in closed sessions, often outside the county, to interview applicants. Board member Angela Allen said that the board was very pleased with the high caliber of the candidate pool, which reflects well on the quality of our school division.

The demeanor of the board before the meeting began—Chair Sandra Barefoot-Reid, District 1, took part remotely due to a family illness—was very like children on Christmas morning anxious to open presents.

In fact, John Wright, District 5, accidentally spilled the beans, mentioning Cromartie’s name instead of making a routine motion to approve the agenda. This enthusiasm bodes well for the future of Goochland Schools. A bit later, Wright, after saying how enthusiastic he is about the most important agenda item of the meeting, moved to approve a contract with Michael T. Cromartie to be the next superintendent of Goochland Public Schools.

Board member Karen Horn said that she is thrilled that such a dynamic leader is coming to Goochland schools to continue the amazing work in this division. She said it was nice to see support from the families who attended the meeting. “I know students look forward to seeing you in their classrooms. We welcome your family as well and know that they will thrive in Goochland.”

Barefoot-Reid welcomed Cromartie to the Goochland team.

Mike Newman, District 4, and former principal of GHS, added his welcoming wishes. “This was a tremendous process that we all participated in. Every step of the way was exciting and something was learned with every interaction we had. I tried to think about this process not as who the next superintendent would be, but, as a former principal, could I work for this person. The answer is a resounding yes.”

Allen said it was a pleasure to welcome Cromartie. “As I think about how you and your family will join our family, I have high expectations of you and know that you will rise to the occasion and be the next leader that our students, staff, and families, deserve. It is truly an honor to welcome you.”

Wright said the board has made a fantastic choice for the people of Goochland county and hopefully the Cromartie family as well. He read a letter from Barefoot-Reid stating that Cromartie’s skills, experience, and character make him a great fit for our culture. “He clearly epitomizes our core values, and we know he will positively impact our community’s schools.”

Addressing the Board, Cromartie thanked the board for the confidence it expressed in his appointment as superintendent “I’m excited to join the Goochland community. My wife Elizabeth and I have been out all day looking at houses in the sweltering heat, and boy, did we find some gems.” He said that they have a daughter who will begin her scholastic journey in kindergarten in Goochland and a 14-year-old “Rolling into ninth grade and eager to start high school.” Two adult Cromartie daughters will not live here but will visit often.

“Goochland, we all, have a lot of which to be proud,” Cromartie said. “I will be a beacon to continue and reinforce that work. I will not let you down.”

Of his twenty-seven-year education career in Virginia, two decades have been spent at school based and district level administration. “As I shared with you during the interview process, I’m the first to roll up his sleeves to get things done. I have a collaborative spirit and am goals and solutions driven. I welcome members of the community to welcome us, to get to know us, to give us a chance. I promise again, we will not let you down.”

Interim Superintendent Andy Armstrong, on behalf of the faculty and staff thanked the board for its thoughtful and outstanding selection of Cromartie. “He is clearly a highly credentialed individual who will lead our division in the great direction we’re going right now. Goochland County public schools is a gem and there’s no other place where anyone would want to be a superintendent. Congratulation

Cromartie comes to Goochland from the position of Chief Schools Officer for Portsmouth Public Schools. He started his career in education as a high school English teacher and has served public school divisions as an assistant principal, principal, director, and Deputy Superintendent. He earned his bachelor’s degree from North Carolina Central University and his master’s and doctoral degrees from the College of William & Mary.

As an adjunct professor with the Darden College of Education at Old Dominion University, Cromartie was honored by his students and colleagues as the recipient of the 2018 Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award. Cromartie has served as a member of the Executive Board of Directors for Communities in Schools of Hampton Roads, a member of the Hampton Roads Committee of 200+ Men, and a contributing member to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

 

 

More good news about our schools

 

At its July 11 meeting, the Goochland School Board bade farewell to interim superintendent Dr. Andy Armstrong, who is leaving the county to serve as Assistant Superintendent of Innovative Strategies at the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). He follows former superintendent Jeremy Raley, who moved to the VDOE in April.

Dr. Andy Armstrong

Board member Karen Horn commended Armstrong for 25 years serving in public education, beginning as a Spanish teacher, eventually coming to Goochland seven years ago as the Executive Director for Business Operations, most recently serving as interim superintendent. Board member Angela Allen said that Goochland is better for Armstrong’s service to our school division. She thanked him for always putting staff and students first.

“I have grown more here than any other place,” Armstrong said. “You have a very special thing happening here and I look forward to continuing to support it in my new role at the VDOE.”

Dr. Cristin East, coordinator of student programming, said that she enjoyed working with Armstrong. “I wish you weren’t leaving. Congratulations. I’m excited that you are getting to work with Dr. Raley. We will definitely miss your presence here. You are knowledgeable, and a great leader, and very easy to work with.”

Best of all good things to Andy Armstrong in his new job, but enough VDOE poaching Goochland staff.

The school division’s chief financial officer Debbie White accepted, for the sixth consecutive year, the Government Finance Officers’ Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation award with special mention of staff members Wyche, Harris, and Boardman.  “They do great work every day, a sign of the ongoing commitment by the staff and school board to the highest principles of government budgeting,” said Armstrong.

Debbie White, CPA

Go to https://www.goochlandschools.org/page/budget-and-finance to explore the school division’s financial reports. They not only detail fiscal operations but are a policy document and communications mechanism.

Goochland schools received two recognitions from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). Goochland was one of only 7 school divisions in the Commonwealth to earn an Innovative Practice Exemplar award for integrating virtual reality tools in instruction. GES was one of 93 divisions to receive an award for continuous improvement exemplar in reading and math of more than ten points across the past three years.

 

 

More houses on busy roads

 

Following lengthy public hearings that ended a bit before 11 p.m., Goochland supervisors approved two rezoning applications for new subdivisions at their July 3 meeting.

The evening agenda was quite full, in contrast to the June public hearing portion, which lasted only a few minutes. It included a presentation by members of the Central Virginia Transportation Authority and the Richmond Regional Transportation Authority about road projects in Central Virginia, and a renewal of a conditional use permit (CUP) for Portico Restaurant on River Road.

Lockhart Green

A rezoning application filed by Tuckahoe Lands LLC to permit 14 homes on14.28 acres on the north side of River Road between the Wickam Glen and Rivergate communities was  approved 4-1 by the supervisors after twice being recommended for denial by the planning commission.

The land in question had been zoned A-2 at the rear and R-1 on the portion fronting River Road. Residents of both Wickham Glen and Rivergate vigorously opposed the proposal. Indeed, many attended the public hearing, despite its being held on the eve of Independence Day and others expressed opposition in writing to the supervisors before the meeting.

The developer could have subdivided the land into 12 lots by right—what is permitted under current zoning—with no buffers to protect the view shed from River Road, and no $9,810 cash proffer per home as included in the 14-lot version. The subdivision will be served by public water and sewer, necessary for smaller lots, with density that averages out to one lot per acre in land use math.

During about forty minutes of public hearing, opponents contended that the size of the proposed lots, an average of .63 acre after twenty percent of open space is deducted, does not harmonize with larger lots around it. Rivergate residents contended that the 15-foot buffer between their neighborhood and Lockhart Green will plunk new homes literally in their back yards destroying the peace and privacy they have come to enjoy. The homes will be connected to public water and sewer.

“This is not Pouncy Tract Road,” one speaker declared. Others were concerned that accessory items like play sets could be very close to the lines.

Rivergate residents raised concerns about people from Lockhart Green trespassing to use its amenities, especially the lake, and asked for a six-foot fence and dense evergreen buffers to separate the neighborhoods. Concerns about exacerbation of existing drainage issues was also raised. Wickam Glen residents echoed the Rivergate concerns about drainage worried that a proposed stormwater collection basis could overflow and destroy a century old farm pond in their enclave. There is a TCSD utility easement between the subject property and Wickham Glen that must be kept open.

Both adjoining neighborhoods decried the encroachment of smaller lots in the area, contending that infill development violates the comprehensive plan, will detract from the scenic byway beauty of River Road, and have a negative impact on their property values.

One speaker alluded to a third development alternative but gave no specifics.

The applicant contended that stormwater mitigation is highly regulated by the EPA and Virginia Department of Environmental Quality to ensure that it does not negatively impact surrounding property.

The more lots, the more “economically feasible” the project is, the applicant admitted when asked why 14 lots were sought. “If all of us wanted half acre lots and look out our windows onto private areas of our neighbors, we’d all still be in Henrico," one speaker observed.

Charlie Vaughters, District 4, said that he considers the by-right subdivisions popping up in other parts of the county to be pockmarks on the beauty of the county. He also doubted that with a starting price for minimum 3,500 square foot, estimated to start at $1.5 million, homes there would be a scourge on the River Road corridor.

John Lumpkins, District 3 said that if the board denied the rezoning request, it would dare the developer to either build the 12 lot by right version or perhaps explore the “third” option. The Board, said Lumpkins, cannot compel a landowner to do anything.

Ken Peterson, District 5 observed that the board was in an awkward position. Approval of the application would go against the community, the comp plan, and planning commission. Denial would expose the neighbors to a different outcome.  He moved to deny the application. Susan Lascolette, District 1, seconded.  That motion was voted down 4-1. A vote to approve the application carried 4-1 with Peterson in opposition.

 

Village at Hidden Rock

The board then turned its attention to a rezoning application filed by Truett Real Estate Investments, LLC for 49.372 acres on Fairground Road, approximately ¼ mile west of its intersection with Maidens Road from A-2 to R-1 zoning. Following the approval of the Courthouse Village small area plan, this parcel, on the edge of Courthouse Village, is eligible for single family residential zoning that permits a density of less than two units per acre. As presented, the density is .81 units per acre, no more than 40 lots.

This hearing was the culmination of a long process that began nearly two years ago when the applicant proposed a 20-lot subdivision. Neighboring land owners opposed this contending that 40 wells and septic drain fields would have a negative impact on their ground water. The applicant then proposed extending public utilities to the site, removing the groundwater issue, which also made the project able to support smaller lot sizes and more homes.

Opposition remained robust. The main areas of contention were adding more vehicles to already treacherous traffic on Fairground Road and the terminus of an internal stub road required by VDOT.

As presented, The Village at Hidden Rock will have internal sidewalks, a minimum 100-foot landscaped buffer with neighbors and Fairground Road, and 200 foot left and right turn lanes from Fairground Road. Right of way along the entire third mile frontage on Fairground Road will be donated to accommodate future widening, and connectivity to county trails. The project will pay the full cash proffer of $13,781 per lot.

In addition, the entire third mile of Fairground Road frontage will have eight-foot-wide paved shoulders and 10 feet wide grass shoulders before the ditch. The applicant contended that these road improvements adequately compensate for the traffic the project will add to Fairground Road.

Minimum square footage is 1,800 for single story homes, 2,500 for two story homes. The initial price point was estimated at $425k.

Initially, the internal stub road terminated on the boundary with land to the north, whose owners opposed its location. In addition to being wetlands, the stub road concept is an invitation to extend the village into the rural enhancement area, whose sanctity is allegedly protected by concentrating residential growth in village boundary. It would seem to make more sense—but remember we’re dealing with VDOT here—to have the stub road lead back into the village.

However, after much wrangling, the location of the stub road was changed, allegedly at the eleventh hour, to the border of land owned by Margaret and Richard Allison, who learned of the change on the day of the hearing. The Allisons were irate. There was some conversation about who should have notified them. Andrew Browning, speaking for the applicant, apologized. Going forward, county policy should dictate that adjoining landowners of any property in the rezoning process should be informed of any changes well in advance of public actions, and the developer should also do it as a courtesy.

During about thirty minutes of public hearing, only one person, a Chesterfield resident who is believed to be somehow involved in marketing the project, spoke in favor. She dragged out the tired contention that the homes will be affordable for teachers and other public sector workers. The same sentiment was expressed during rezonings for Swann’s Inn and Reed Marsh, where homes now sell well north of $500k.

Every other speaker decried the dangerous conditions on Fairground Road and frequent serious accidents which often close the road—one of three main routes to Courthouse Village—to through traffic. They implored the board to do whatever it can to get the speed limit along the entire length of Fairground Road reduced to 45 mph. In the past few weeks, one speaker said, there have been four major accidents in the corridor.

Thanks to a comment, the applicant proffered $40k, to be paid upon recordation of the subdivision plat, for future improvements to Fairground Road.

Ben Slone, whose property adjoins the subject parcel, reminded the supervisors that the Code of Virginia encourages localities to plan for the future development of communities, that transportation systems be carefully planned with adequate highways. He said that, according to the Goochland Sheriff’s Office, accidents on Fairground Road occur at the rate of 1.27 per week. Adding more cars from this project, despite contentions from traffic engineers that its vehicles will have minimal impact on the overall mess, will make it worse, said Slone.

The supervisors, all of whom claim to drive it often, acknowledged the hazardous nature of Fairground Road and its burgeoning traffic. Spoonhower said that he gets more calls about this road than any other. Fairground Road, he contended, is going to get “fixed” by development. He alluded to other developments in the corridor which have made significant improvements to the road on their frontage, as the “best spots” on the road.

“While it may not sound like a lot, improvements to a third of a mile is significant. I think any chance we have to see improvements is worthwhile. Land use cases are about what’s right for an area at the time,” Spoonhower said.

Susan Lascolette, District 1, cast the sole dissenting vote. “We have hundreds of homes coming up in Courthouse Village. It seems like we’ve traded walkability paths, sidewalks, for safety on the roads. I don’t think it’s a trade off we can take right now. We need to be considering the safety of our citizens who are traveling Fairground Road and not worry so much about the walkability factor, which is not going to save and lives or property damage.”

Perhaps the best we can hope for it that all rezonings in the Fairground corridor will be required to improve road frontage.

An unintended consequence of these two cases could be a further lack of citizen engagement.

 

July Board Highlights

 

Happy Birthday America!

Goochland supervisors held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, July 3 to avoid possible conflict with Fourth of July fireworks. The afternoon agenda was light.

The board paused for a minute of silence in honor of the passing of James Eads, who represented District 5 on the Board of Supervisors for 12 years.

A resolution recognizing July as Parks and Recreation Month was approved and presented to Jessica Kronberg, Director of County Parks and Recreation. On the eve of one of the biggest P&R events, the Fourth of July fireworks. Kronberg thanked the board for its support and gave a brief list of programs, including the next night at Tucker Park on July 28 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. featuring live music from Gone Country Due and Exit 38. Go to https://www.goochlandva.us/236/Parks-Recreation to learn more.

Board Chair Neil Spoonhower, District 2 took a few minutes to reflect on things that make the Goochland community exceptional. These include being the smallest jurisdiction population wise in the country to earn a triple AAA bond rating; our great schools; county departments consistently recognized by their peers for excellence; and something that recently came to his attention.  Goochland is tied for second for the second most marriages per capita. “It takes strong families to build strong communities,” he said.

In his remarks, County Administrator Vic Carpenter explained that, to conform to a new state law, the county advertising schedule has changed. Public notices will now run for two consecutive weeks not more than 14 days before the action item.

Carpenter also reported that, according to Goochland County Treasurer Pamela Duncan, the mid year personal property tax collection rate was 86.4 percent up from 79.4 percent last year and for real estate tax 96.2 percent up from 93.8 percent in 2022. Collection rates, he said, can be an early warning of a possible downturn in county revenue.  This year’s numbers indicate that Goochland’s fiscal position remains strong.

He also addressed citizen concerns about a proposed removal of the traffic signal at the Hockett/Broad Street Road intersection in Centerville and making it right turn only. The Hockett Road realignment to connect with Ashland Road is a multi-year process that has just started.  Nothing, Carpenter emphasized, has been decided. While an “early, preliminary proposal” included removal of the stoplight it is not part of “any actual design”. It was a suggestion added to improve scoring in the competitive process used to award state funding for road projects, that pits Goochland against localities in the entire Commonwealth. Now that the project is fully funded, detailed designs will be crafted before the project is put out to bid. In the meantime, said Carpenter, there will be opportunities for public input on the final design.

Marshall Winn, Administrator of the Ashland VDOT Residency reported that paving of the Sandy Hook/Fairground Road roundabout will be completed by July 7 if it doesn’t rain. He was saddened by the communication breakdown that caused some confusion about construction activities there. Even though the roundabout was not fully completed by the Fourth of July, original completion was expected on October 25, so the project is at least 115 days ahead of schedule. There will be no detours for buses to negotiate when school opens in August. Rain at the end of June was the main culprit for the delay.

Community Affairs Manager Paul Drumwright presented his monthly broadband report. For details on the progress of deployment go to page 53 of the board packet at http://goochlandcountyva.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=1&ID=1397&Inline=True

The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development announced that it has received $1.4 billion in federal funds from the federal Broadband Equity and Access Development (BEAD) program to close the digital divide in Virginia. The money, said Drumwright, is going to the state, which is in the process of deciding how to disperse the funds to un and underserved communities, including parts of Goochland.  Homes that are not part of the ongoing broadband expansion efforts throughout the county would be targeted through a different process. Unlike other initiatives, BEAD will work with private providers to hit all the areas not included in other programs.

The state has launched a Virginia Digital Opportunity survey to gather data and better understand the needs of residents and the scope of broadband affordability issues. Drumwright encourages all county residents to complete the survey at https://dhcd.virginia.gov/digital-opportunity  Drumwright said that he is working to ensure that Goochland has access to that data to ensure that other county broadband efforts are meeting the needs of citizens. Accurate data is essential to pinpointing areas with no connectivity so that some entity will be able to “light” everyone up with broadband.

Deploying broadband to the entire county is complicated. BEAD, said Drumwright, could connect areas that fall through the connection cracks of other programs.

 

 

 

Goochland honors former supervisor James Eads

Gochland County Mourns Former Supervisor James W. Eads Upon His Passing

 

Goochland, VA – On July 3^rd, 2023, Goochland County Administration was informed that James W. Eads, former District 5 Supervisor, passed away on Thursday, June 22, 2023.

 

Mr. Eads served on the Goochland County Board of Supervisors for 12 years, from January 2000 to December 2011.  Serving as Chair of the Board in 2002 and 2006. 

 

Mr. Eads was born in Glasgow, Virginia and attended Virginia Military Institute, graduating in 1953. He was employed by The Travelers Insurance Company and finished his career with Marsh and McLennan, retiring as a senior vice president.

 

During his time on the Board, the County built the Goochland High School and Middle School Complex, opened the County Administration Complex, and renovated the Courthouse Complex.  Goochland County improved public safety through the hiring of the first group of ten career Firefighter EMS providers for Goochland County Fire-Rescue and Emergency Services.  Mr. Eads also helped to usher in the practice of town hall meetings.

 

In appreciation for Mr. Eads’s service, County Administrator Vic Carpenter ordered the Goochland County flag to remain at half-staff in his honor at all county facilities through sunset on Sunday, July 9, 2023.

 

His impact will not be forgotten. He always strived to represent the county with dignity and thoughtfulness and will forever be remembered for his relentless passion and dedication to Goochland County.  He is survived by his daughter, Susan Boast Eads.

 

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.