Water torture

A tale appropriate for tax day.

Goochland’s supervisors voted 3-2 to take over management of federal and state mandated storm water runoff regulations at their April 13 meeting. Board Chair Susan Lascolette, District 1, and Ken Peterson, District 5, were in dissent.

Last year, the supervisors voted to opt out of involvement in the matter because the program was new and rather vague. This year, the Virginia General Assembly passed measures clarifying the regulations, allegedly implemented to protect surface water and help clean up the Chesapeake Bay.
The goal is to ensure that rainwater soaks into the ground close to where it falls from the sky instead of running off into streams and rivers. Proponents contend that this will reduce the amount of pollutants that are washed into surface water following storms.

However, there seems to be no solid proof that the implementation of costly, and sometimes complicated, measures to control storm water runoff reduces water pollution, which is measured by the “nutrients” in water samples.

Those same “nutrients” are touted as beneficial soil amendments by proponents of spreading sludge, end products of wastewater treatment plants, on fields.

The matter is—pardon the expression—a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t situation.

The regulations will apply to all new construction, commercial and residential, that disturbs an acre or more of ground. They will tie in with erosion and sediment control measures already in place.

Run off may be controlled by creating retention basins, rain gardens, or other “best management practices”(BMP) to corral those pesky raindrops. Fees may be charged to offset the cost to local governments to oversee the regulations. The state gets a 28 percent cut of initial charges, but localities may retain all fees generated in subsequent years of construction.

But wait, there’s more! Once the BMPs are in place, they must be inspected on a regular basis, in perpetuity, to ensure that they are doing their job. Localities must perform this task. According to the county’s environmental engineer Debbie Byrd, they will be spot checked. In the event that say, a pond becomes so clogged with silt that water is unable to soak into the ground, additional work must be done to remedy the situation.
Fees may be levied only for land under construction. Once the BMPs are in place, the fees stop, but the regulatory oversight, performed by an employee of some level of government. The cost of that employee will be picked up by taxpayers.

The cost of fixing BMPs that no longer function will be borne by property owners, or in the case of residential subdivisions, a homeowners’ association.

Goochland County Attorney Norman Sales explained that the ordinance contains enforcement provisions to cover this circumstance. He said that the compulsory enforcement process could create situations that wind up in Circuit Court for resolution.

Byrd said that accepting responsibility for the program would improve the customer service to landowners and developers, who contend that working through the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is a longer and more cumbersome, therefore more expensive, process.
Malachi Mills, an engineer who works with local developers, said, during the public hearing, that working through DEQ in the past year added sometimes two months to the time needed to secure approval of all storm water runoff mitigation plans.

Peterson acknowledged that “time is money” to developers, but cautioned that Goochland will not get a favorable return on its investment for getting involved in the process. He raised concerns about the out year costs of administering the program, which could increase cumulative costs.
Byrd estimated the county’s annual tab to administer the program at approximately $170,000, mostly personnel costs already funded in the budget. Overall, according to an example included in the presentation, the county will lose money. However, Byrd explained that many of the inspections for both storm water and erosion and sediment control will be performed by the same person on the same trip, which will dilute the expense.

Manuel Alvarez, Jr., District 2 said that even if Goochland opts out of the program, the county will be involved in the process and not receive any of the fees.

Lascolette said that the county looks for local control in land use matters and, in this case, hopes not to lose money. “But, there are so many unanswered questions.”

The Board voted to consider a fee schedule at a later meeting. The county will assume responsibility for the Virginia Stormwater Management Program on July 1, 2015.

This is yet another example of trickle down mandates dumped on local governments by legislators on the state and federal level. The true cost of this program may be as hard to ascertain as its purported benefits. But, the taxpayers get to foot the bill, once more.

The Sound of Peace

At three p.m. on the afternoon of April 9, 2015, the Goochland Courthouse bell was rung to commemorate the 150th anniversary end of the Civil War. Hostilities ended when General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General U. S. Grant at Appomattox Court House. The event was organized by the Goochland Historical Society.

Isabel Duke, Sofie Pryor, District 3 Supervisor Ned Creasey, and Dr. James Bowles, Sr., assisted by two young men from Gum Spring United Methodist Church, tolled the bell, one minute for each of the four years of war. 

The cost of the conflict, in lives, material, and unfulfilled promise cannot be calculated. It should, however, serve as a reminder of the consequences of national discord. People of a nation as free and diverse as America will never march in lockstep to the same drummer, but we must learn to dance around each other in respectful harmony. 

Spring planting

Goochland’s Planning Commissioners got back in the saddle after a one month hiatus for their regular monthly meeting on April 2.
During a brief workshop on the proposed mixed use ordinance, some interesting points were raised. It was good to see some citizens attend this workshop and ask questions.

The draft ordinance, which will be the subject of a public hearing before the Planning Commission in May, will permit and require different uses, i.e. residential, business, and commercial, on the same parcel of land. Right now, the only place where mixed use is contemplated is the core of the Centerville Village, both sides of Broad Street Road between Ashland and Manakin Roads.

All land for mixed use must be rezoned and will require a conditional use permit. This means that the supervisors will be able to exert maximum control of the process.

While the residential uses contemplated for mixed use could include apartments, the proposed ordinance does not mean that Goochland County will be blanketed with apartments because they will only be permitted in areas served by adequate roads and municipal water and sewer.

An impact statement to help gauge the increased demand that any new housing will place on county services, especially schools, fire-rescue, and law enforcement, will be a requirement in the new ordinance.

Principal Planner Jo Ann Hunter said that county agencies would then review the impact statements to see if they concur. Developers must propose measures to prevent these services from being overwhelmed by new users. She used the example of the Retreat apartments in West Creek, which were not required to pay cash proffers when rezoned for multifamily housing in 2012. Instead, the developer proffered a site for a future fire-rescue station when the county determines a need for the facility.

Commissioner Tom Rockecharlie, District 5, said that he had gotten calls from citizens worried that the school system would be deluged with new students if apartments were approved.

Developer Scott Gaeser said that, while there is a need for “affordable housing” in Goochland, high land prices in the eastern end, especially Centerville, ensure that all residential construction there will be of the upscale variety. He said that the median income in the Centerville Village is $120,000. “There will be no Section 8 (low income) housing in eastern Goochland,” said Gaeser. The price of entry, which he estimated at about $30 million, is just too high.
Hunter observed that efforts to require “affordable” housing do not translate well to rural areas without mass transit. She said that, at the end of the life cycle of the buildings, many years in the future, these homes could become low income housing.
Hunter also contended that the commercial component of the proposed mixed use zoning district requires developers with deep pockets who have no interest in slapping up buildings.
Unlike Henrico, whose extensive water and sewer lines have rendered most parts of that county suitable for high density development, Goochland has few areas served by these amenities. The utility master plan, recently accepted by Goochland’s supervisors, indicates that there is little likelihood of expansion in the next decade, if ever.

At the regular commission meeting, Matt Brewer, District 2, was elected commission chair for the ensuing year with Derek Murray, District 3, serving as vice chair.

The commissioners unanimously recommended approval of the renewal of a CUP for Glenn Nuckols on Ashland Road and a rezoning in the Windy Hill subdivision to divide a 14 acre lot into two smaller residential parcels.

A rezoning application filed by Earl Thompson to rezone 127.939 acres on the south side of Fairground Road (note, no “s” on the road name)in Maidens from A-2 to RP (rural preservation) zoning was also unanimously recommended for approval.

The proposed subdivision, Lane’s End, will consist of no more than 29 single family homes on approximately two acre lots. The balance of the parcel will be used for roads and passive recreation. Bridle trails are contemplated for some of the open space, but not behind lots 1 and 29, which adjoin residential parcels in another subdivision. Additional tress will be planted along part of the southern boundary to enhance vegetative buffers between existing homes in Parker’s Hill and Lane’s End. Left and right turn lanes off of Fairground Road are among the proffers, which also include the full cash proffer, currently $14,250 per residential lot.

Some residents of Parker’s Hill, which adjoins the proposed Lane’s End on the south, raised concerns about the square footage of the proposed homes, impact on nearby wells, and schools.

When Parker’s Hill was rezoned, residents of the Two Turtles community, which lies to its south, raised many of the same objections. They too were concerned that smaller, less expensive homes built on adjoining land would have a negative impact on their property values. The gracious homes that were subsequently built in Parker’s Hill have enhanced the area.

Steve Thompson, who worked with his family’s firm to develop Breeze Hill, which adjoins and will connect to Lane’s End, said that a water study prepared when Breeze Hill was rezoned about eight years ago, found that there was sufficient underground water to ensure that new homes would not have a negative impact on area wells, and would supply water at an average of 17 gallons per minute, more than the Virginia Department of Health’s minimum requirement of 3 to 5 gallons per minute.

The application estimates that at build out, Lane’s End could add approximately 15 students to Goochland schools
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It was also pointed out that there are no plans to widen or otherwise improve Fairground Road contemplated. Requiring developers to build turn lanes is about the best the county can do improve this road.

The supervisors will vote on these matters at a future meeting after they hold public hearings on the applications.

Sunny Days

There’s a sign by the side of a road near the Richmond airport (yes, GOMM has been out of town) bearing a simple message-- Citizen Ignorance = Government Bliss.

There were no other words, no hints about its origin. Nevertheless, it was thought provoking.

In the past couple of weeks, semi-annual town hall meetings were held around Goochland County. Scheduling these informal sessions about local government in opposition to “March Madness” was unfortunate. Attendance was spotty. East Enders reportedly were attracted by a companion session that focused on the Tuckahoe Creek Service District ad valorem tax, and utility rates. The smelly water issue was reportedly discussed too.

The meetings included staff presentations about the proposed budget for FY 2016, schools news, and discussions about issues particular to each district.

It’s a little hard to interpret the tepid citizen interest in county government. In November, all local and state officials will stand for election. Turnout at the polls will probably be light. Does that mean that voters are satisfied with the performance of those they put into office, or just don’t care?

March 15-21 was “Sunshine Week,” a time for journalists to celebrate and advocate for government transparency. Openness at all levels of government, from the guest logs at the White House to Goochland County’s check register, should be a given, not a maybe.

Since taking office in January 2012, Goochland’s supervisors and school board have worked hard to share information about what they do, and perhaps more importantly, how they spend tax dollars, with the public at large.

Budgets, strategic plans, meeting notices, minutes, and some live streams are easily available online. Elected officials and staff stand ready to respond to queries about pretty much anything. Recent upgrades to the supervisors’ online board packet software make it possible to comment about individual agenda items online.

Current official holders take their commitment to good stewardship and earning public trust very seriously. It has not always been that way, and could revert to the bad old days.

But, does anyone care? The Founding Fathers believed that an informed citizenry would play an important role in the success of their new nation. That concept morphed into a governing class, where elected officials, especially at the state and federal level, can reasonably expect to spend decades tending to “the peoples’ business” from afar, answering citizen communications with form responses and doing as they please.

Goochland’s current elected officials have demonstrated their willingness to listen to, address, and defuse contentious issues. Unlike many of their predecessors, they return phone calls and respond to emails.

Residents of Deep Run Hunt Country came together to successfully oppose construction of a cell tower. In the process, they formed an organization to keep an eye on things, distribute pertinent information, and engage with local government.

Other citizen groups energized in opposition of particular issues seem to have lost interest in local government when their efforts were not successful. They chalked their defeats up to the bugaboos of the “good old boys’ network” or the ever popular “the fix was in” line of thinking.
Elected officials likely would prefer to make decisions that please everyone, but soon learn that, no matter how much care and thought goes into a vote, someone will be unhappy with the result.

Issues that come before our boards and commissions are often thorny and complicated. Citizen engagement, pro and con, is vital to responsive government. Ask questions, share your opinions, and bask in the sunshine of government transparency.

Marchness

At its March 3 meeting, the Goochland Board of Supervisors took a few minutes to celebrate the recent announcement that the county received a AAA bond rating from New York based Standard and Poor's. The magnitude of this accomplishment, a bit more than three years after the former county treasurer was marched off to prison after being  convicted of embezzling public funds, is astonishing.

County Administrator Rebecca Dickson thanked Kevin Rotty, of Public Financial Management,the county's financial advisor, for his help and encouragement during the complicated application process for the credit rating. Rotty reported that Goochland's securing a AAA credit rating is indeed a rare accomplishment for a county with a population under 60,000. (Goochland's population is approximately 21,000). 

Board Chair Susan Lascolette, District 1, presented commemorative glass plaques to  Rotty; John Wack, Deputy County Administrator for Financial Affairs; comptroller Barbara Horlacher; Jon Worley who produced the wonderful video included in the presentation (available for viewing on the county website www.co.goochland.va.us); and District  5 Supervisor Ken Peterson.

The  driving force behind the pursuit of the bond rating, said Peterson was Dickson.

The benefit for the citizens going forward is that Goochland has been vetted by a respected impartial agency and found to be fiscally responsible and well-managed. In addition to reducing the cost of the county's borrowing going forward, by giving it direct access to capital markets, it announces that Goochland County has its fiscal ducks in a row.

Peterson contended that the rating gives citizens " a transparent metric to monitor the county's financial health." He also thanked Rotty for his contributions to turning the county around. "In a previous life, Kevin must have been a baseball batting coach because he helped Goochland County hit a couple of home runs." Rotty was also instrumental in the remedial restructuring of the TCSD debt.

Rotty explained that the AAA bond rating puts Goochland "in select company" as one of eleven jurisdictions in Virginia--and the smallest, at aproximately 21,400, population-wise--to obtain this designation. He said that winning the rating on the first attempt is the result of years of dedicated planning and financial discipline. Rotty said that Goochland was judged to be "very strong" in six of the seven rating categories, with only the TCSD debt issues casting a shadow on the county's fiscal picture.

The video, said Rotty, told the raters who Goochland County is.  The Standard and Poor's folk, however, were curious as to how Goochland managed to accomplish so many things in such a short time and retain the lowest tax rate--53 cents per $100 of assessed valuation--in the region. Peterson, reported Rotty, educated Standard and Poor's about " The Goochland way".

Dickson attributed the success of the rating quest to participation by virtually the entire county staff, board of supervisors and others. "It really does take a village," and thanked all everyone involved for doing their job well.

A new feature has been added to the software used for Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission packets. It allows comments to be made online regarding a particular item. Supervisors and commissioners will be able to view all the comments. Lascolette said this is yet another way to gather citizen input and improve government transparency.

Senior Planner Jo Ann Hunter presented the draft of the 2035 comprehensive land use plan to the board. It is available on the county website. A series of meetings will be held in April to gather citizen feedback. Comments may also be made by telephone, or email.

Lascolette said she was "blown away" by the revised plan, which is intended to be easier to read and understand. Please take a look at this and communicate you thoughts about it to county officials. This is the time to comment on land use, not when there is a bulldozer on that vacant land on the corner!!!

Representatives of Kimley-Horn, a transportation consulting firm retained by VDOT--the state agency that seems to be trying to change its motto from Oops!--presented their initial recommendations to improve traffic flow in the Broad Street/Ashland Road corridor. This includes additional traffic signals; suggestions for new roads; and some round abouts on Ashland Road. As with all road projects, availability of money to pay for the improvements is a huge factor.

The Board next meets for a public hearing on the FY 2016 budget on April 13.

After all of the  hard work on strategic plans, bond ratings and so forth, the Supervisors contend that they are still focused on supporting core services. These are: law enforcement, fire-rescue and education. The proposed 2016 budget includes funding for one, rather than the two deputies that seemed to be agreed upon last year.

In the presentation of the 2016 budget, made by Wack on February 23 (please listen to the live stream, it was the last item on the agenda) he contended that the budget supports "public safety,"  lumping fire-rescue and law enforcement together and never providing the reasoning behind funding only one new deputy. If there is a good reason, citizens need to know what it is.

Additional fire-rescue employees, funded to a  great extent by the cost recovery program--charging health  insurance for hospital transport-- put in place a while back, are different from deputies. Fire-rescue employees are trained and certified before they are hired. Deputies must go through a training academy and local acclimatization before being "turned loose" to patrol solo, a process which takes nearly a year to complete.

That means that a deputy hired on July 1, 2015, likely will not be on the road before Spring, 2016. By that time, new construction on Broad Street in Henrico  will be dumping increased traffic volume on Goochland Roads. 

Failure to fund a second deputy seems like a penny wise and pound foolish approach to delivering core services. It will be interesting to see if anyone bothers to comment on,or even notice, this during town hall meetings or the public hearing on the budget. 

Is hiding something in plain sight the same as transparency? 

Tacos to go coming to Centerville

At its March 3, 2015 meeting, after a lengthy deferral, the Goochland Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a conditional use permit that will allow construction of a Taco Bell restaurant on Broad Street Road in Centerville just west of McDonald’s.

The CUP was required for the drive though aspect of the fast food outlet.
Although the county planning commission recommended approval of the CUP last fall, the supervisors declined to hear the proposal until it had received a certificate of approval from the county’s Design Review Committee. The COA indicates compliance with all of the Centerville overlay district standards, which include acceptable building materials, setbacks, lighting, and landscaping.

The final submission approved by the supervisors represents a significant improvement over the initial proposal. Accepted plans include more stone and less metal on the building exterior and additional landscaping.

The restaurant is expected to create between 25 and 30 new jobs. It will be allowed to be open around the clock. However, at least at the outset, it seems unlikely that there will be sufficient business to justify the expense of twenty four hour staffing.

Access to the Taco Bell parking lot will be from LaBlayre Way. One free standing sign, expected to be similar in design to that of McDonald’s, will be part of the construction.

Only one person commented during the public hearing. A resident of the Parke at Saddle Creek, which is located on the east side of Manakin Road south of Broad Street Road in the Centerville Village, who said she spoke on behalf of her subdivision, opposed the application.
She raised the usual objections of traffic, crime, noise, and attracting interstate travelers. Claiming that she and her neighbors love the beauty and small town “vibe” of Centerville—essentially an aging cinderblock strip mall between Ashland and Manakin Roads—and rural lifestyle they found there. (Rural, on a fraction of an acre with municipal water, sewer, and high speed internet?)

They do not want Broad Street Road to become a fast food alley, or attract business from Interstate 64. One of the reasons that businesses locate in Centerville is to take advantage of the interchange. Indeed, it seems quite possible that one of their reasons that people buy homes in the Centerville Village is its easy access to I64.

The problem is, as Bob Minnick pointed out in his fall town meeting, it’s not like the county had a choice between a Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and Taco Bell. Development is market driven and funded by private dollars. If the residents of the Parke at Saddle Creek would like to invest their money in an “upscale” business of their liking, landowners and the county would be happy to work with them.

Interestingly, home owners in The Parke at Centerville, a subdivision much closer to the site of the proposed Taco Bell—the McDonald’s must be clearly visible to some of the homes there-raised no objections.

Had the new residents bothered to do their homework, they would have learned that at least two of the out parcels on the Broad View Shopping Center were designated for fast food use years ago. It’s hard to understand why people who spend hours on the internet researching cars before making a purchase seem to be buying homes based on impulse. They accept claims made by realtors, who may not live in Goochland, without question, and whine when they discover that reality does not match the sales pitch.

It’s too bad that the representative of the Parke at Saddle Creek stormed out in an embarrassingly adolescent manner after the Taco Bell vote. She missed the presentation on the arterial access management plan, which could have a significant impact on traffic in the Centerville Village.

Attracting substantial investment to the Centerville Village has been challenging for years. A well-crafted mixed use zoning ordinance, which the Planning Commission is expected to discuss at a workshop in April, could help this area lure the kind of distinctive development that everyone wants.

Slogging through February

Goochland’s supervisors held a marathon workshop session on February 23. Matters originally scheduled for a snowed out session on February 17 were added to the agenda.

Debbie Byrd, the county’s civil and environmental engineer, presented an update on the options for dealing with the unfunded state mandate to regulate storm water. The bottom line seems to be that county oversight of the stringent new regulations will provide better customer service to landowners and developers. Fees charged will not offset the entire cost of implementation, however.

While no one is in favor of polluted water, the motive for imposing these regulations is murky at best. It seems like the federal government is trying to wrest control of all surface water in the country. The new storm water rules seek to create more “best management practices” AKA retention ponds, that will need oversight.

There seems to be a dearth of hard science connecting water pollution to run off, yet pretty much every time the permeability of a patch of ground is changed, the new regulations kick in. Of course, that means that people must be hired to issue permits and perform inspections, all of which makes any kind of development more expensive.

The supervisors have not yet decided if they will approve county oversight of this program, or let the state’s Department of Environmental Quality handle it.

Keith Burgess of the Monacan Soil and Water Conservation District explained that his agency administers grant money to help fence livestock out of streams to improve water quality. It also provides many “non-traditional services” that help to preserve the rural character of the county.

Burgess said that the MSWCD helps to educate new comers to Goochland about rural living. As forest lands convert to farmland, the MSWCD helps to ensure that proper erosion and sediment controls and other sound land use practices are implemented. It works with newcomers to Goochland starting smaller agricultural operations. These are a different customer, Burgess contended, who did not grow up with “the common sense land use knowledge” of long time farmers and benefit from MSWCD guidance.

Burgess also said that the MSWCD is no longer in the equipment rental business. His agency has been swamped with applications for grant money and technical assistance.

Principal planner Jo Ann Hunter shared proposed changes to the county’s comprehensive land use plan with the supervisors. The comp plan, explained Hunter, is a policy document. Although it has no “enforcement teeth,” once the 2035 comp plan has been approved by the supervisors, county zoning and other land use ordinances will be revised to support its objectives, something that is currently lacking.

District meetings are scheduled for April to discuss the proposed changes and gather community feedback. Hunter said that staff will be happy to make a comp plan presentation to any interested group or neighborhood.

Planning Commission Chair Joe Andrews, District 4, commended Hunter, GIS Analyst Jon Worley and the Planning Staff for their work on the 2025 comp plan.

The draft 2035 comp plan will soon be posted on the county website www.co.goochland.va.us. Questions and comments are welcome. After adoption, the 2035 Comp Plan will be available in a user friendly spiral bound book. This should be distributed to all realtors who sell property in Goochland as well as prospective homeowners.

An annual event that used to be as pleasant as getting a root canal without anesthesia—presentation of the proposed school budget to the supervisors—has instead become a cordial exchange of information and comment.

Delivered on time and balanced with the funds expected to be made available by the county, the proposed school budget rose 3.1 percent over the current fiscal year. School Superintendent Dr. James Lane also discussed unfunded priority items. (See the meeting packet, under the supervisors’ tab on the county website for details.)

Lane declared that the Goochland schools provide and excellent value for taxpayers.

Before getting down to the numbers, a list of the impressive accomplishments of Goochland schools was presented. It’s hard to believe that this is the same school division that, according to the former superintendent, was headed into a “death spiral” without a massive tax increase and infusion of funds.
The open dialog and collaboration between the supervisors and school board is good for everyone involved. Excellent schools that prepare all students to participate in the American Dream are a crucial component of a vibrant community.
An executive summary of the school budget is also part of the February 23 board packet and paints a clear picture of the way that local education funds are used.

Todd Kilduff, Director of the Public Utilities Department made his budget presentation. Perhaps the most important accomplishment of this department in the past year was completion of the utilities’ master plan. At last, the county has a clear picture of where utility lines—public water and sewer—are; how existing infrastructure can be put to its optimal use; and cost estimates for needed improvements and ongoing maintenance.

Kilduff said the study found that the Centerville water tank has been underused and is able to handle pressure needs to Patterson Avenue. He also said that the West Creek water tank will be decommissioned.
He recommended a 2.5 percent increase in utility rates to reduce the general fund utility subsidy and pay for necessary capital improvements. Kilduff said that the ad valorem tax levied on the Tuckahoe Creek Service District is expected to remain at the current 32 cents per $100 of assessed valuation for the “next several years.” This is a sore subject for TCSD homeowners and will undoubtedly be raised at town hall meetings in March.

County Administrator Rebecca Dickson presented her proposed budget for fiscal year 2016, which begins July 1. (This is available in its entirety on the county website. It is a beautifully crafted document containing a great deal of interesting information about the county and well a perusal.)

The proposed budget is based on retention of the current (53 cent per $100 of assessed valuation) tax rate. The budget will be discussed at the upcoming town hall meetings. Citizen feedback could result in adjustments. A public hearing will be held on the FY2016 county budget in April, after which the supervisors will vote to set tax rates for calendar year 2015. First half taxes are due on June 5.