NO RANGE ON WALTON
Concerned neighbors for the preservation of quiet life
on Goochland & Louisa's Walton Road
View our new interactive map HERE.
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WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Attend ALL MEETINGS. Sign the Petition. Email and Call Planning Commissioners & Supervisors.
1. Attend ANY and ALL meetings:
There is strength in numbers! The first public hearing for this proposed development is scheduled to come before the Goochland Planning Commission on Thursday, January 15th, at the Goochland Administration Building (1800 Sandy Hook Rd, Goochland, VA 23063)! The hearing begins at 6pm, but we encourage early arrival due to anticipated crowds. You can RSVP here to receive reminders about date, time, and location.
ALL attendees, regardless of their residence, are permitted to address the Planning Commissioners during the public comment period, with a time limit of three minutes per speaker.
Let's face it, we all have busy lives, but developers win when opposition is minimal. Please make every effort to attend this meeting!
2. Sign our petition:
We need physical signatures of all residents who will be affected by this proposal -- and those in our counties who agree that a public-use range doesn't belong next to family homes. We are currently canvassing a two-mile radius door-to-door, raising awareness and gathering signatures. Please use the Contact form to let us know that you'd like to sign the petition.
3. Call, Email, and Schedule a Meeting with County Planning Commissioners and the Board of Supervisors
Both Goochland and Louisa residents will be affected by this proposed development. EIGHT of the proposed shooting stations are on the Louisa line, and the wetlands into which they're firing flow into Louisa County.
Even if you are a Louisa resident, please reach out to the following commissioners and supervisors in Goochland County.
GOOCHLAND COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSIONERS:
Website: Planning Commission | Goochland County, VA - Official Website
While the proposed development is in Goochland's District 1, please contact ALL planning commissioners.
District 1: Guy Kemmerly (gkemmerly@goochlandva.us, 804-629-1137)
District 2: Amanda Kowalski, Chair (akowalski@goochlandva.us, 804-257-3146)
District 3: Jess McLaughlin, Vice-Chair (jmclaughlin@goochlandva.us, 804-218-5376)
District 4: Curt Pituck (cpituck@goochlandva.us, 804-869-7965)
District 5: Martin Dean (mdean@goochlandva.us, 804-240-2773)
GOOCHLAND COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:
Website: Board of Supervisors | Goochland County, VA - Official Website
While the proposed development is in Goochland's District 1, please contact ALL Board of Supervisors members, even Tom Winfree, who is both the Board of Supervisor representative for District 3 and the applicant/president of the proposed shooting range.
District 1: Jonathan Christy, Vice-Chair (jchristy@goochlandva.us, 804-837-7056)
District 2: Neil Spoonhower (nspoonhower@goochlandva.us, 804-316-5584)
District 3: Tom Winfree, Chair (twinfree@goochlandva.us, 804-659-4607)
District 4: Charlie Vaughters (cvaughters@goochlandva.us, 804-508-8763)
District 5: Jonathan Lyle (jlyle@goochlandva.us, 804-584-7524)
LOUISA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:
Website: Board of Supervisors | Louisa County, VA
Tommy J. Barlow (LCBS_MRD@louisacounty.gov, 804-310-4130) is the Vice Chairman for the Louisa County Board of Supervisors and is the representative for the Louisa residents affected by this proposed development. Please reach out to him by phone/email and urge him to contact the Goochland County Board of Supervisors to voice your concerns.
Even if you contact Mr. Barlow, be sure to convey your concerns directly to the Goochland Board of Supervisors yourself!
Dear [Insert Planning Commissioner or Board of Supervisor's Name]:
I am a resident of [Goochland/Louisa] County at [street address], and I am writing in regard to conditional use permit application CU-2025-00012 which proposes to construct a public-use clay shooting range at 0 Walton Road (4600 block) on land currently zoned agricultural.
In short, I oppose this proposed development, and I respectfully ask that you deny its approval when it comes before you for discussion.
I oppose this development for the following reasons:
1. Noise Pollution: The noise from shotgun blasts can travel up to two miles from origin, and I live only [insert distance from parcel in feet if close, in miles if slightly farther] from the proposed site. There are eight homes within a quarter mile; over 35 homes within a half mile; over 120 homes within a mile; and over 450 homes within two miles of this site. It is not as rural as you'd think.
One family's residence is less than 200 feet from the shared property line and only 600 feet from the nearest shooting station. He would be subjected to the startling, irregular, yet constant sound of gunfire if this proposal were to move forward. It would severely diminish the quality of life of all those within earshot.
2. Environmental and Health Risks: Lead contamination from ammunition can leach into soil and groundwater, threatening wells, wildlife, and nearby water systems. The long-term environmental effects of outdoor shooting activities are well documented by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). There is no safe level of lead exposure, especially for children.
3. Light Pollution & Night Sky Visibility: Significant light pollution will diminish our ability to enjoy the natural darkness of our rural area and affect local wildlife and livestock.
4. Property Values: Studies show that proximity to shooting ranges negatively impacts property values and makes homes harder to sell, with homes losing anywhere from 3.7 to 10% in market value.
5. Incompatibility with Zoning and Community Character: The proposed use conflicts with the residential and agricultural character of our area. Our community’s rural environment is valued for its tranquility, safety, and natural beauty—all of which would be jeopardized by such a development.
For these reasons, I respectfully urge you to reject the proposed firing range development at 0 Walton Road.
Respectfully,
[Insert Name]
SAMPLE
EMAIL for
GOOCHLAND
OR LOUISA
RESIDENT
Personalized emails are always best, but you are welcome to use some or all of this template to draft your emails to the planning commissioners and the Board of Supervisors.