EDA tours county business sites

 On Friday the 13^th, members of the Goochland Economic Development Authority, joined by supervisor candidates Steven Shawaroch, District 4, and Jonathan Lyle, District 5, joined Director of Economic Development Sara Worley and Chance Robinson, Economic Development Coordinator for a tour of county business sites.

Members of the Goochland EDA and others look over 623 Landfill

According to the EDA website, “The purpose of this authority is to acquire, own, lease and dispose of properties to the end that it may be able to promote industry and develop trade by inducing manufacturing, industrial, governmental and commercial enterprises to locate in or remain in the County and to further the use of its agricultural products and natural resources, and all other purposes as are now or may hereafter be set forth in the Economic Development and Revenue Bond Act, Chapter 33, Title 5.1 of the Code of Virginia.”

The tour provided an opportunity to see how businesses fit into the county landscape. The group boarded “Betty White”, a bus in the fleet of Long Long Weekend (https://longlongweekend.org/), at the Hardywood Park Craft Brewery in West Creek and drove past headquarters of Virginia Farm Bureau and Performance Food Group.

Heading west on Rt.6, Worley announced that Goochland’s first free standing Starbucks will be built in the next year at the Oak Hill mixed use development near the intersection of Rts. 6 and 288.  

Driving around the shuttered West Creek emergency center, Worley explained that its owner, HCA, is neither interested in selling, nor leasing the facility for non-medical uses. HCA bought the 57-acre parcel about 15 years ago with expectations that it would eventually grow into a hospital. Failure to build the bridge connecting Tuckahoe Creek Parkway with Ridgefield Parkway in Henrico is believed to have changed the company’s plans.

Worley got permission to drive through the nearly three-hundred-acre secure Capital One West Creek Campus, which brings several thousand employees to the county daily.

Driving north on Hockett Road, the bus passed the Greenswell Growers’ hydroponic food production facility, which Worley said will plans an expansion in the near future.

Traveling east on Broad Street Road, Worley pointed out Chick Fil-A, Tommy’s Car Wash, Valvoline, and an emergency veterinary hospital under construction, all new businesses joining Audi of Richmond, Sunbelt Rentals, and Wawa on the north side of the road.

Turning onto Wilkes Ridge Parkway, the tour passed the Marriott Residence Inn, Goochland’s only hotel, Sheltering Arms Hospital, which is preparing to expand, medical office buildings, and the continuing care retirement community Avery Point.  

Worley explained that West Creek received county approval to build apartments on no more than 60 acres of the 3,500-acre business park. Three apartment communities, Apartments communities at Retreat on Wilkes Ridge Parkway, one on Broad Branch Dive and a third nearing completion at Oak Hill have used up that acreage.

Next stop was the Ashland Road 623 Republic Services Landfill, north of I64, which was the highlight of the afternoon.

Debris is carefully added to landfill. Trucks are much larger than they appear

Republic representatives explained that the landfill, which has been in operation for decades, is built in sections carefully designed to protect the environment and pass rigorous inspections. They accept only non-hazardous inert construction debris, which has no organic matter that could generate methane as it decomposes. Leachate—liquid that percolates to the base of the landfill, mostly rainwater—is collected and removed from the site via county sewer lines to prevent groundwater contamination.

The group got a bird’s eye view of the area, especially the neighboring Luck Stone quarry, which has been in operation for decades and still has lots of rock to extract. They watched as large tractor trailers were upended as though they were toy trucks as their cargo was discharged onto the pile.

The Luck stone quarry will be wresting rock from the earth for many years to come

It will be quite a few years before the 623 landfill reaches capacity.

The tour then went north on Ashland Road, which has been designated for heavy industrial use for at least 40 years Worley pointed out the sites of both “Project Rocky” the e- commerce facility approved last year and is working its way through a complicated development process, and the speculative office/warehouse project approved earlier this year.

Rockville Commerce Center and Lanier Business Park, home to “heavier “industrial users that require outside storage, were up next. Both are almost fully occupied.

Worley said that a shortage of business ready sites makes it difficult to attract new businesses to the county.

Then the bus headed west on Broad Street Road to the Goochland Industrial Park and Old Dominion Industrial Park in Oilville, both of which allow outside storage. Last stop was a ride through the Oilville Business Park.

An interesting variety of companies call Goochland home. The EDA works closely with the county Economic Development Department https://www.goochlandforbusiness.com/ to attract more quality businesses to Goochland to bolster our tax base and create jobs.

Thanks to the EDA and Economic Development Department for letting GOMM tag along.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lumpkins for Commonwealth's Attorney

 

Goochland Deputies secure administration building during 2021 civil unrest

The race for Goochland Commonwealth’s Attorney between incumbent Mike Caudill and challenger John Lumpkins has attracted a lot of attention.

Caudill seems to be unwilling to address allegations that he does not work well with the Sheriff’s Office or Clerk of the Circuit Court, contending that his door is always open to law enforcement.

Earlier this year, local attorney John Lumpkins, Jr. who currently represents District 3 on the Goochland Board of Supervisors, decided to run against Caudill to improve relations among the various local law enforcement and criminal justice agencies.

Civil unrest came to Goochland in early 2021 in the aftermath of the shooting of a young man on I64 by State Troopers, which was eventually ruled justified. Demanding release of the VSP dash camera recordings of the incident, mobs, which Caudill said included violent gang members, blocked roads in Courthouse Village, and besieged his office during angry demonstrations.

Caudill said that after viewing the video, a relative of the deceased, threw a stapler in his office in a fit of rage. Caudill neglected to mention that the swift and skillful actions of the Goochland Sheriff’s Office, whose deputies confronted the enraged mob face to face, prevented the property damage and injuries that characterized riots in other areas. Would it have been so hard for him to mention the outstanding performance of our deputies in that situation?

The lockdown of county schools last spring, due to what thankfully turned out to be a hoax, terrified parents. The Sheriff’s Office worked diligently to find and apprehend the culprit. It would have shown consideration and given comfort to the community had Caudill bothered to issue a brief statement reporting that the perpetrator would face legal consequences for the incident.

During the October 12 forum, Lumpkins, the candidate officially endorsed by the Goochland Republican Committee, rebutted allegations that he is “only” a trust and estate lawyer, by listing his service as a police officer, and extensive experience as a criminal defense attorney, and federal prosecutor.

Lumpkins pledges to work with, not against, all law enforcement agencies, state and local, to vigorously, yet fairly, prosecute criminals.

Restoring positive relationships between the Commonwealth’s Attorney, the Sheriff’s Office, clerks of all courts, and related agencies has been the focus of his campaign. In addition to technical skills, Lumpkins has the ability and desire to work well with people, a skill vital for the success of any organization.

Please give John Lumpkins your vote for Goochland Commonwealth’s Attorney.

John Lumpkins

 

Candidate forum

 

Kudos to the Goochland Chamber of Commerce for its effort to stage a forum for local government candidates on October 12. Perhaps because it was held nearly three weeks after the start of early voting, attendance was light.  Only opposed candidates spoke. They responded to two bland generic questions that they received in advance. There was no opportunity to explore the contentious nature of some local races.  

Dr. Tracy Roof, a professor of political science at the University of Richmond, served as moderator. Her role was to introduce the candidates. Carol Taylor, Executive Director of the Goochland Chamber commended those who step up to run for office.

Commonwealth’s Attorney

The contest for Goochland Commonwealth’s Attorney between incumbent Mike Caudill and challenger John Lumpkins has been perhaps the most contentious local race.

The Commonwealth’s Attorney acts as the county’s prosecutor in its Circuit, General District, and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts.

Last winter, during a forum sponsored by the Goochland Republican committee, Caudill, then a member of that organization, said he would support the Republican candidate for Commonwealth’s Attorney, because he expected to be that candidate.

For some reason, Caudill allegedly never bothered to file necessary paperwork to take part in the Republican candidate selection process—a mass meeting—resigned from the committee and decided to run as an independent. He has since been endorsed by the Goochland Democrat committee and appears on its sample ballot. Yet, Caudill insists that he is the, or maybe a, Republican, candidate for the office.

Caudill contended that his trial experience, especially successful prosecutions of child pornography cases, will keep Goochlanders safe.

John Lumpkins, the candidate officially endorsed by the Goochland Republican Committee, said he does have the legal experience and credentials to fill the office. He rebutted contentions that he is “only” a trust and estate lawyer, describing his work as a police officer, and extensive experience as a criminal defense attorney and federal law clerk

Lumpkins said that in addition to technical skills, the ability to work well with people is vital for the success of any organization.

 

Board of Supervisors

 

Only two of the five seats on the Board of Supervisors, Districts 1 and 4, are contested this year. Susan Lascolette, District 1, and Ken Peterson, District 5 are retiring after 12 years of outstanding service to Goochland. They were part of the 2011 “clean sweep” candidates who metaphorically joined hands with then County Administrator Rebecca Dickson and walked through fire to transform our local government from embarrassment to exemplar.

Virginia is a Dillon Rule state, which means that local governments have only those powers given to them by the General Assembly. Supervisors, though elected from each of the five districts, must work together to make decisions and craft policy to benefit the entire county, despite diverging viewpoints.

Supervisors often need to make difficult choices. No matter how hard they work, half of their constituents will not be pleased. Their job is to make sound decisions and set priorities to benefit the entire county.

District 1

Democrat Elisha Kizer, vice president of the Virginia Wireless Association, declared that all of Goochland county suffers from a lack of internet connectivity including wireless and fiber to the home options.

“I build towers and lay fiber every day,” she said contending that her relationship with internet providers could speed up the process to bring broadband to the entire community. (She did not mention the extensive initiatives underway in the county to do that, admittedly far too slowly for those not yet connected, or how those efforts would be funded.)

Kizer said that District 1 is considered a “food desert” because it lacks a grocery store and wants to use county resources to somehow change that.  She said there is a need to provide transportation for elderly residents in District 1.

She was pleased that the Centerville small area plan did not go forward because the county needs to preserve rural character by concentrating development in the designated growth areas.

Kizer contended a rural focus is important to preserve rural character. She said that the “70 percent rural, 30 percent business” is a good plan. (Her facts were a bit confused, the 70/30 is the goal of the county revenue split between real estate and business tax. The current comprehensive land use plan goal is to keep 85 percent of the county rural.)

Kizer wants to encourage businesses to hire locally to increase jobs, even though Goochland has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the region and area companies desperately need workers.

Kizer wants to make developers build less expensive houses because average citizens cannot afford homes here. She supports agribusiness like wineries and breweries and the tourism revenue they generate.

 

Republican Jonathan Christy lives on a 57-acre farm to enjoy the freedom of rural living and allow his six-year-old daughter to grow up in an agricultural environment.

He is a “massive” second amendment advocate and was pleased with the 2019 Goochland Board of Supervisors’ decision to confirm its support of the second amendment rather than declare the county a sanctuary.

Christy decided to run for supervisor to ensure that the good government practices in place for twelve years continue. The internet, he said, is coming to District 1, it has been approved, but cautioned that it will bring developmental pressures to his mostly agricultural district. He supports developing the east end of the county, which has the infrastructure to support commercial growth necessary to bolster the tax base.

“If we do not grow at all, the economy will die, taxes will go up.”  He supports strategic limited growth to retain the peaceful tranquility of most of Goochland.  Christy said that higher taxes could force citizens with large tracts of land to sell to developers for subdivisions.

 

District 4

Redistricting following the 2020 federal census, moved the late Don Sharpe, who was elected in 2019, to District 3, leaving the D4 seat open.

Democrat Steve Shawaroch decided to run for office when he saw a version of the Centerville small area plan with a sea of tall buildings that looked nothing like a rural area. Attending meetings about the plan, he expected a give and take discussion, but instead heard what seemed to be acceptance of a version of the plan that ignored extensive and constructive input from citizens.

If elected, he will work with his neighbors and county staff to develop a coherent Centerville plan and an updated transportation plan. The latest iteration of the Centerville plan, he contended, made no provision for appropriate roads, acquisition of rights of way, or any estimate of population increases.

Shawaroch said that he has the time to work with his neighbors and county staff on this project. An attractive walkable Centerville village will attract high quality business. Roads, he contended, are the key to economic development and cannot be an afterthought. (Centerville currently has some of the best roads in the county, admittedly not a very high bar, but mitigation of the hazards on Fairground Road, for instance, should get high priority.)

He pledged to carefully review each land use application, visit the site in question, and talk with its neighbors to ensure “quality” development, which, he contended, benefits everyone.

 

Republican Charlie Vaughters “threw his hat in the ring” last October to serve Goochland County, nothing more. He too seemed unaware that the seat was open.  He said that he has had a servant mindset for his entire life and outlined his extensive and stellar philanthropical activities, especially as board chair of Jacob’s Ladder (ladder.org) an enrichment program for underprivileged children. (He did not explain why this helps him govern Goochland.)

Vaughters contended that supervisor is not a full-time role, rather it is one where you interact with your community. He believes in balanced budgets and low taxes. Vaughters believes that knowing all stakeholders—everyone involved—business or resident in a project is vital to its success. “We have to bring people to the table and come up with ideas that are creative and benefit all parties. “

Vaughters said he wants Goochland to see “the best” business opportunities.  “You don’t do that with a ‘just say no” mindset. The more opportunities we have the more we can talk about the thoughtful growth that people talk about. I want the conversation to be couched in verbs. Let’s get stuff done as a county.” Goochland, he contended, is the best county in the Commonwealth for quality of life, which includes low taxes, great schools, and services, which is open for good businesses.”

 

School board

Though a few of the eight candidates for contested school board seats made thoughtful comments about contentious subjects, their remarks were mostly praise for the continued excellence of our school division.

Given the vitriol surrounding the school board races, GOMM has decided not to comment on them. Recordings of past school board meetings are archived on the school division website https://www.goochlandschools.org/ select school board from the menu and select livestream.

Candidates are:

Apparently some people do not understand that an endorsement in not the same as candidacy. Local political parties endorsed  school board candidates who may be supported by voters with other political views.

(Letters indicate party endorsement. School Board candidates cannot run on party lines.)

District 1

Sandra Barefoot-Reid (D)

Lucy Meredith Moses (R)

District 2

Karen Horn (D)

K.M. Wirsing (R)

District 3

J. Adam Alford (D)

Angela Small Allen (R)

Distrist 4

Stephanie A. W. Maynard (D)

Michelle Faith Maxwell (R)

District 5

M. Ellen Robinson (R)

Do your research, vote your conscience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honda coming to eastern Goochland

What the Honda dealership might look like (Board packet photo)

Goochland supervisors unanimously approved applications for rezoning and conditional use to locate a Honda dealership on the south side of Broad Street Road just west of the Henrico County line at their October 3 meeting. The site is well east of Rt. 288 in an area that is attitudinally Short Pump. It is separated from Wilkes Ridge Parkway to the west by wetlands that will not be developed.

The 6.93-acre parcel had been approved for use as a memory care facility in 2015, which never materialized. The site also contains the Centerville booster station, a component of the Tuckahoe Creek Service District utility infrastructure. This is in the prime economic development area of Centerville Village and subject to village overlay rules. A certificate of approval (COA) must be obtained to ensure that the look and feel, including building materials, comply with the overlay district.

Filed by SP Real Estate Holdings, LLC on behalf of Ohio based Great Lakes Auto Group, whose president Joey Huang was at the meeting, the proposed facility is estimated to add $30 million to the county’s real estate tax base. Located in the TCSD, it will pay ad valorem tax.

The site, staff and applicant agreed, is challenging. It is narrow, sloping, adjacent to wetlands, and close to a condo community just over the Henrico line. The proposed design, which includes a three-story parking deck instead of a sea of vehicles, takes much of that into account.

From the community meeting held earlier this year to the final vote by the supervisors, this project could serve as a template for the development process. Huang introduced himself at the community meeting, shared his story, and explained what he wanted to do and why in that location.

Objections to traffic issues at the site, raised at the planning commission were taken into account and addressed. Realistic renderings included in the presentation clearly illustrated how the proposed facility would fit into the landscape giving decision makers a clear picture of the proposal. Images like this should be required of all major land use applications alongside one-dimensional plans of development.

Crozier resident Larry Page, whose beautiful Audi dealership on the opposite side of Broad Street Road set a high standards for development, contended that, as presented at the planning commission, trucks accessing the site from east bound Broad Street Road would pose traffic hazards. He also raised concerns that large car carrier trucks would have difficulty moving in and around the narrow site.

According to the applicant, after meetings with the Goochland Fire-Rescue Department, interior roads were widened to ensure that fire trucks could access all parts of the site. A similar exercise was done at the behest of VDOT with a low boy trailer. Car carriers will typically enter the site and unload at the front of the site. Frequency of large trucks visiting the site was estimated at fewer than one truck per day.

The building is setback back at least 100 feet from a “proposed” property line, which leaves room for the necessary right-of-way should another lane be added on Broad Street Road. The plan has been modified after extensive meetings with VDOT about site access.

As the site contains an easement for a Henrico sewer line, the dealership will obtain sewer from Henrico and get its water from the TCSD.

Honda has corporate design templates for its dealerships. This project will need to jump through the same hoops required of Page when establishing the Audi dealer under similar restraints. Should there be an impasse between the Design Review Committee and the applicant, the matter will be appealed to the supervisors.

There will be a retaining wall between the mixed-use development at the Henrico line and the dealership.

A representative of Page contended that large car carrier trucks turning into the site would pose a safety issue as they would need to cross several lanes of traffic to access the sit.

Page contended that a Honda dealership generates a lot of traffic. He said that Centerville overlay standards are applied some rows vehicle parking in front of the building would be eliminated and asked if that would trigger a fourth level on the parking deck. The applicant said there is no intention to add a fourth level.

The applicant’s traffic engineer, who prepared the exhibits, said that the widening of Broad Street Road is currently unfunded and not on any immediate VDOT plan. He explained that when roads are widened, existing commercial driveways are reconfigured to maintain proper turn radii.

Only personal use automobiles weighing up to ten thousand pounds will be sold at the facility. Routine service, but no body work, will be performed there.

Ken Peterson, District 5 pointed out that Page worked through a similarly rigorous approval process for his Audi dealership and has been a great business partner for Goochland. He welcomed Huang to the county and hoped he will emulate Page’s support for the community.

Goochland needs businesses to bolster our tax base and provide jobs and services for our residents. This is exactly the kind of economic development we need in the right place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goochland’s supervisors began their October 3 monthly meeting at 4 p.m. and worked their way through a relatively brief agenda. 

Columbus Day closures

County offices will be closed on Monday, October 9 in observance of Columbus Day. There will be no early voting on this date. Convenience centers, however, will operate on their regular schedule. Go to https://www.goochlandva.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1022 for details.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The Board declared October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and presented representatives of Goochland Cares with a proclamation recognizing the need to raise awareness of the devastating effect of domestic and sexual violence has on individuals, families, and the community.

Goochland Cares provides a comprehensive domestic violence program with 24-hour hotline services (804-980-6267); shelters survivors who have become homeless due to domestic violence; responds to emergency calls; offers support, case management and counseling. It also advocates for victims seeking protective orders and empowers survivors to chart their own course for healing. The organization also facilitates training and prevention programs. Go to Goochland Cares for details.

Board Chair Neil Spoonhower, District 2, recalled that he was a member of the Goochland Cares board when the domestic violence response program was added to the offerings of this wonderful community organization. “They were overwhelmed as soon as it started, which is a terrible thing and you wouldn’t think it would happen in our county,” Spoonhower said. “We are so blessed to have resources like this for our people.”

Code of ethics violation complaint

At the September board meeting a citizen alleged that four supervisors violated the Board’s code of ethics by personal financial support to the campaign of a school board member: support of the Goochland Republican committee regarding donations to a school board candidate’s campaign; and the committee’s resolution in support of a school board member. A third category was other “campaign activities”, which included social media posts and a campaign event.

County Attorney Tara McGee explained that the board’s code of ethics which is posted on the wall at the back of the meeting room, establishes a process for determining the validity of complaints of violation.

There are two steps to that process, McGee said. The complaint must be made by a Goochland resident and must allege that the code of ethics or standards of conduct were violated. McGee said that as part of her duties as county attorney she reviewed the complaint.

“It is a fundamental part of our government at the federal, local, and state level, that persons elected by campaigning for office may be members of a political party. They can actively support a political party, and other candidates, both financially and through other support activities. Election to the board of supervisors and adoption of that code of ethics does not deprive a supervisor of their fundamental right to engage in these activities.”

McGee sent notice of her determination that there was no violation of the Code of Ethics to both the Board of Supervisors and the complainant on September 22 and said that no further action is required.

Fire-rescue report

D. E. “Eddie” Ferguson Jr. Chief of the Department of Fire-Rescue and Emergency Services said that October is fire prevention month. Fire Prevention week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago fire, which began on October 8, 1871, caused 250 deaths, and left 100,00 people homeless following the destruction of 17,400 structures.

Fire Prevention Week was first proclaimed in 1922 by U. S. President Calvin Coolidge and is the longest running public health observance in America.

Ferguson said that smoke alarms are available free of charge from his department, Call 804-556-5304 to obtain one. He also urged those who have gas or propane appliances in their homes, including gas log fire places, to install carbon monoxide detectors. As the cooler weather arrives, he also reminded homeowners to have chimneys inspected to ensure safe operation and prevent fires.

This year’s theme, reported Ferguson, is cooking safety. Go to Fire Prevention Week For more information.

The second annual fire-rescue show will take place on Saturday, October 14 on the fields behind Goochland High School. The family friendly event begins at 5 p.m. and will include food trucks, demonstrations, a visit from MedFlight, and conclude with a brief fireworks show.

 

Ferguson said that the show brings back a long-standing Goochland Fire-Rescue tradition. This is a great opportunity to meet the people who save lives and protect property in the county and get a first hand look at their equipment and skills. More information will be forthcoming.

Ferguson thanked the supervisors for attending the ceremonies observing the anniversary of the 911 attacks, both at Courthouse Company 5 and Manakin Company 1. We must honor in perpetuity the valiant responders who ran toward danger and honor their sacrifice. We must also be cognizant that every day in every community in America those who dedicate their lives to public safety, both career and volunteer, go in harm’s way for our benefit.

Consent Agenda

The supervisors unanimously approved its consent agenda, essentially a list of housekeeping items that must have board approval.

Items on the consent agenda included an update memorandum of understanding with Goochland Pet Lovers, the non-profit organization that partners with the county at the Animal shelter; various transportation items; referring zoning ordinance amendments to the planning commission; amendments to the FY24 county budget; and set public hearings for November 1 to formalize moving the Beaverdam voting precinct from the animal shelter to the sports complex and to consider a lease agreement between the county and the Central Virginia Blacksmith guild for its use of space at the Central High School Educational and Cultural Center.

Note change to November meeting date

The board will hold its November meeting on Wednesday, November 1. Public hearings will begin at 6 p.m. Notice will be given in advance if an afternoon session is needed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lessons learned

 

Nearly two years after it began, the Goochland Board of Supervisors ended the Centerville Small Area Plan revision by unanimously voting to deny its adoption on October 4.

Begun with great promise in February 2022, the CVSAP attracted a great deal of citizen engagement that sent a strong message of “don’t bring Short Pump to Centerville.”

The first version of the plan, crafted by an outside consultant, contended that branding strategies including fonts, slogans, and a new color pallet would attract commercial investment to the area.

That proposal supported dense residential development supported by renderings of tall buildings huddled around open spaces that looked nothing like the rural village envisioned by citizens. A November 2022 presentation of a final plan, replete with flowery and vague rhetoric, was met with dismay by the community.

Early this year, the county hired Timmons Group to distill the work of the initial consultant into a clear plan. That version was presented to the community as a done deal in May. Somewhere along the way, the “new” plan added “appropriately scaled” lodging, mixed used residential to the entire village, and expansion of the village core west of Manakin Road.

The final plan ignored extensive citizen input, and included more depictions of wide roads, tall buildings, and intense development, not at all rural.

Citizen outcry resulted in the supervisors postponing their August vote on the plan and creating an online portal for community feedback. Response to the portal was so robust, generating 679 amendment suggestions, that the supervisors voted unanimously to deny adoption of the plan, leaving the 2035 Comp Plan dealing with Centerville unchanged. (Go here  to see the responses)

Kudos to Timmons for providing and indexing the massive feedback report in a short time frame.

Before a brief public hearing on October 4, Charlie Vaughters, appointed last November to fill the remainder of the term of the late District 4 Supervisor Don Sharpe, observed “an immense amount of work went into this project. It is not to be dismissed. I entered this process midstream…I think we’re a community that hates waste. So, I looked at the project and said let’s see what we can do. We got great feedback in this amendment process, and I think we have reached the conclusion that was done with the appropriate intention to have a plan, to have a vision for the east end…We’re going to incorporate the learning from this in any future project.” He stated that he could not support adoption of the proposed plan.

Vaughters also commented on tensions during the process. “We have to appreciate and support our staff. There was a lot of nastiness that cannot continue. I will defend our county staff and support services nonstop. People have to realize that we’re doing the best we can for this county…accusing people of lying, malfeasance is not the way to go.”

Susan Lascolette, District 1, said she liked the idea of a revised plan for Centerville. “We don’t want uncontrolled growth and we’re Goochland, we don’t want to be like anyone else. I thought a plan would be of benefit to everyone, citizens, staff, developers, so everyone knows where we’re going. In my opinion, we can’t agree on what this plan is going to look like.  We did learn a lot. Citizens and staff put in an immense amount of work. We are listening to citizens.”

Comments during the public hearing repeated concerns expressed many times since February 2022, among them ensuring the county’s ability to provide core services, especially fire-rescue, keep pace with growth. Others decried the plan’s failure to supply even “guestimates” about population increases for suggested densities that could result in triple digit growth percentages in the next decade. This could result in the east end gobbling up a significant portion of the county’s transportation resources.

Paul Costello, who has been actively involved in Centerville land use matters since 2004, and deeply involved in this process, said “I understand the fatigue factor that we’ve all been through. I first want to thank the community and all the citizens who have worked so hard to share our vision about how we will grow. We are very fortunate to have so many caring, talented citizens willing to voluntarily share their diverse expertise to help strengthen our community and foster community pride.

“We greatly appreciate the Board of Supervisors for not acquiescing to a proposed plan that does not reflect our vision and values just to get it done. On behalf of the community, we thank you for all the care and time that you have put forth on this important planning initiative. I also want to recognize the county administrator. We welcomed you into a new role and were very appreciative of your accessibility and willingness to quickly engage in this project. Mr. Carpenter, thank you and your hardworking and dedicated team for all you do. Your combined efforts are greatly appreciated. I also want to thank the Timmons team. You led a very professional and informative analysis. We plan to take what you provided and put it to good use.

“In short, we plan to use all the information gathered in the lessons learned to seek opportunities for improvement, most of which relate to greater transparency, follow-up expectations and communications.”

Costello said that, as a result of the process, citizens have a clear understanding of the key attributes and design objectives for a successful village that align with their vision for Centerville. He reiterated that the high intensity urban development that characterizes Short Pump is not right for Centerville.

He concluded that the proposed plan ignored citizen input on the crucial elements of a village vision and asked the board to deny approval.

Ken Peterson, District 5, who will conclude twelve years of exemplary service to Goochland at the end of 2022, said that there is consensus that it is better to have a plan than no plan. That failure to evolve risks obsolescence and that change is inevitable. “I had hopes when we launched this plan that it would take a reasonable amount of time and cost a reasonable amount of money. It took longer and cost more than expected. I was full of hope that with a reasonable amount of citizen input we could develop a consensus and a way forward. That didn’t happen.”

It is hard to implement opposing suggestions and please everyone, he said. Peterson also mentioned the twenty-four thousand Goochlanders that did not weigh in on this process.

He said there are downsides to not having an updated plan, which makes it further out of date and further obsolete, leaving decision makers grappling with the same patchwork approach to Centerville land use that has proved unsatisfactory in the past. “Flexibility and the ability to evolve ensures success going forward. It’s important to have update plans to embrace change.”

Board Chair Neil Spoonhower, District 2 said that “the vote will have consequences that a lot of people will not like. When those consequences come to fruition, remember where you were when the vote was taken.”

For better or worse, the Centerville Small Area Plan initiative is over. Data gleaned during the process should be used, as much as possible, to make sound land use decisions going forward.