October board highlights

 

 The October 1 meeting of the Goochland Board of Supervisor had a light agenda. More and more items are being relegated to detailed reports included in the board packets. These are available in their entirety at https://goochlandcountyva.iqm2.com/Citizens/Default.aspx Board packets contain much interesting information. Of special interest to those waiting for Firefly is the detailed monthly broadband report.

October has been designated as Domestic Violence Awareness month. The supervisors adopted a proclamation recognizing this scourge on society. Representatives of Goochland Cares, whose services include a confidential sexual and domestic violence abuse hotline (804) 980-6267 – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Sexual and Domestic Violence Services are available to ALL victims or survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence, regardless of income, gender, or sexual orientation. You do NOT have to be a registered client of GoochlandCares to utilize to utilize its sexual assault and domestic violence services. Go to https://goochlandcares.org/services/sexual-and-domestic-violence-services/ for more information.

A representative of GoochlandCares thanked the board for its support of the service, for which, unfortunately, there is a need in our community.

Renae Townsend, Executive Director of Goochland/Powhatan CASA (court appointed special advocates) also thanked the board for its monetary and in-kind support. Townsend said that 2025 will mark the 20^th anniversary of the organization’s founding.

Townsend explained that the organization recently expanded into Powhatan and introduced Powhatan CASA Supervisor Deirdre Vaughan. A non-profit organization, Goochland/Powhatan CASA is planning a special fund-raising event, the CASA Community Challenge, next spring. Go to https://goochlandpowhatan.casa/ for more information.

Goochland County Administrator Vic Carpenter reminded everyone of the October Town Hall meetings. These will be live streamed at https://va-goochlandcounty.civicplus.com/1154 and archived on the county website.

County staff will hold trick or treat in the administration building on October 31 from 3:30 to 4:30 for ghosts and goblin fun.

Carpenter announced that, after “pausing” activity earlier this year, the county is still trying to figure out the best site for West Creek Fire-Rescue Company 7. In the meantime, the county will start construction Station 8 in District 2 on Whitehall Road near its intersection with Dogtown Road. “We will continue to look for the best alternative location for Station 7 or if that location (the east side of Hockett Road near its intersection with Tuckahoe Creek Parkway) remains the best location,” Carpenter said. It is believed that Station 8 will be funded with proceeds of general obligation bonds approved by a 2021 referendum.

Some homeowners who live close to the now defunct Royal Virginia golf course in Hadensville have, during the past few board meetings, raised grave concerns about hunters discharging firearms on the old golf course grounds near their homes. Carpenter reported that staff has spoken with the hunters involved, the Virginia Department of Wildlife, the Goochland Department of Community Development, and homeowners in search of a mutually acceptable solution to the matter.

Monacan Soil and Water Conservation District Manager Keith Burgess introduced our new extension agent, Skye Brickhouse. Burgess said that this year’s drought and flooding resulted in at least a million dollars of crop and property damage, including soil erosion.

A well water testing program will be held later this month. Sample kits will be distributed on October 15^th and collected on the 16^th. Call the extension office at 804-556-5841 for information. (Links to program sites were not working when this post was created.)

Authorization of the donation of two 22-year-old fire tankers, which have been replaced in the Goochland Fire-Rescue fleet with newer models, to Charles City and Cumberland Counties. The value of the donated tankers was estimated to be in the $5 to $10k range was approved.

 

The supervisors approved a resolution to amend the FY25 budget to transfer and appropriate funds in the amount of $560k from reserves to the Economic Development Authority (EDA). A request of this amount was made during the August 24 economic development workshop. The funds will be allocated as follows: Complete due diligence to increase a prime economic development site from tier 2 to tier 4 and produce marketing materials - $155,000. Perform water and sewer feasibility study for Oilville - $250,000. Infrastructure and studies for other prime economic development areas (i.e. Courthouse sewer, water and sewer for Bennington Road and Plaza Drive) - $95,000. Small Business Expansion Incentive - $50,000.  LOGO/Tourist Oriented Directional Sign Grant Program - $10,000.

District 5 Supervisor Jonathan Lyle, who regularly attends  EDA meetings, said that he believes that the county’s future rests on commercial and economic development, contended that it could be more helpful to small businesses to reduce permit fees and streamline processes to relive the economic burden on small business at the front end, rather than the proposed rebates to be distributed on a first come first serve basis.

Neil Spoonhower, District 2 said that he agrees with Lyle in principle, but because changing governmental processes can take a long time, the proposals that provide some immediate relief for small businesses—those with fewer than 250 employees—is a good start.

Economic Development Director Sara Worley said that the incentive programs, which could help about three businesses per year, mandate feedback to help gauge the return on investment. Worley pointed out that the county cannot change state and federal regulations, which can account for five to ten percent of construction costs.

The directional sign grant program which helps defray the cost of deploying signs along major roads to attract business, also sparked discussion. During citizen comment, Kathy Murray, of Byrd Cellars, a vineyard and winery in the western part of the county (https://byrdcellars.com/) reported that her business installed the signs at their own expense, which generated a dramatic increase in customers at the 20 year-old winery. She contended that before the signage was deployed, people were unaware of their existence and passed them by on I64 on the way to Charlottesville. Murray contended that the signs are good for her business and commended the supervisors for supporting tourism.

Lyle agreed that the signage is a good idea, but balked at the county funding signs for some businesses on a first come, first serve basis, which he contended puts the county in the position of picking winners and losers.

These items were approved by 4-1 votes, with Lyle in dissent.

Public hearings

The supervisors approved an amendment to a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for Bandit’s Ridge in western Goochland, to add unhosted short term rental; restaurant; winery on less than 50 acres with a tasting room; and accessory public assembly uses. The property consists of 23.07 acres at 5061 Broad Street Road. The CUP will expire June 30, 2032.

A CUP application filed by Pleasant Grove Farm, LLC, consisting of 103.92 acres at 4615 Old Fredericksburg Road for short term rental unhosted was approved. The applicants, Mark and Chirelle McConnel, who operate Pleasant Grove Farm, live in a small home on the property, and have a lease purchase agreement on the farm, which is owned by Massey Investments, LLC.  A large, restored home would be used for the unhosted rental. The McConnels hope to create educational agritourism activities on the farm in the future. They also requested a 10 rather than the customary five-year initial CUP renewal period conceding that they plan to stay and invest in the property and do not want to do it for just five years. The planning commission recommend the 10-year renewal.

Some supervisors contended that if a CUP is violated the county has the power to revoke it.

County Attorney Tara McGee explained that while revoking a CUP is within the power of the supervisors, it is not easy. The supervisors would need good legal grounds, then initiate the process through the planning commission and through the board. “It is a legal right, but I would be incorrect to say it is easy,” she said.

The CUP was unanimously approved for five years.

A rezoning application to reduce buffers on 5.973 acres on Parkers Hill Drive was unanimously approved.