Goochland Economic Development Authority Tables Endorsement for VSP

With less than a 48 hour notice, Walton Road neighbors rallied to make a strong showing at the November meeting of the Goochland Economic Development Authority (EDA), where they were considering endorsement of VSP's shooting range, resulting in the EDA's tabling of the agenda item. (The archived video of the meeting will be found on the county's website once uploaded.)

Thanks to keen eyes and friends in the right places, we became aware on the evening of Monday, November 17th, of the EDA's agenda item to discuss "consideration of EDA's support for Virginia Sports Park" and sprang into action via email, text, and phone calls to attend the meeting on Wednesday, November 19th. (Sidenote: this is why it's vitally important to leave your contact information here on the website so that you will receive these action alert emails! Please add NoRangeOnWalton@gmail.com to your contact list so the alerts don't go to a spam folder.)

A "lucky thirteen" delegation of both Goochland and Louisa Walton Road neighbors arrived early and filled the small conference room at the Goochland County EDA building, located across the Courthouse Complex, to capacity and sending county employees to grab extra chairs and bottled water. We gained the unofficial distinction of being the largest crowd ever to attend a public meeting of the EDA, which Chairman Benjamin (Ben) Slone described as more of a collegiate body, which gives or withholds recommendations to be considered by the Board of Supervisors.

All five EDA members -- Ben Slone (Chairman), Kenneth (Kenny) Collier (Vice-Chair), Jennie Slade (Treasurer), D.B. Smit, and Lisa Dearden -- were in attendance, joined by Sarah Worley (Economic Development Director), Chance Robinson (Economic Development Assistant Director), Dr. Jeremy Raley (Goochland County Administrator), and Chairman Tom Winfree (Goochland Board of Supervisors, District 3). Mr. Winfree attended in his capacity as Chairman of the BOS and did not speak during the public meeting. Ben Slone and Dr. Raley had also attended the October 30th community meeting.

We found the EDA to be especially courteous and accommodating, as they approved a motion to bump up their agenda item VI.C. Consideration of EDA Support for Virginia Sports Park up to item VI.B in light of our desire to speak on the subject.

Eleven of our thirteen neighbors spoke publicly in regard to the proposed VSP development. Due to the EDA's primary function of "promoting economic growth...while preserving Goochland's agricultural heritage," considerable comment time was spent dismantling the VSP's claims at the October 30th community meeting of far-reaching economic benefit to the county as being overexaggerated and unjustifiable at the expense of immediate neighbors. However, we also collectively raised our concerns regarding:

• inescapable noise, including decibel levels high enough to cause hearing damage simply by standing on one's own property;

• decreased property values (anywhere from 3.7 to 10%);

• increased traffic on narrow, hard-top roads with no shoulders;

• lead contamination from dispelled ammunition;

• concerns on how this affects Louisa residents due to proximity; and

• general comments regarding why VSP would seek an endorsement for a pre-application, plus their utter lack of consideration for community concerns, both at their "community" meeting and in their lack of response to all inquiries regarding the promised second community meeting.

No one spoke in favor of VSP's proposal.

At the close of public comments, the EDA swiftly moved through their Treasurer's Report and proceeded to item VI.B (formerly VI.C) regarding the EDA's support for Virginia Sports Park.

Ben Slone opened the discussion with a simple question regarding what information the VSP had provided to the EDA about the proposed development. Members stated that while brief conversations had occurred privately, no formal information had been provided to the EDA for consideration. Some members had not heard of the proposal prior to that evening.

The EDA prudently voted to table any further discussion, rather than give a blind endorsement, and we thank them for this decision, recognizing that it can come before them again in future meetings for consideration.

From start to finish, the EDA members were gracious in answering questions from neighbors even after public comment had closed and seemed genuine in their visible consideration of our comments. We hope that all in attendance took our comments to heart as this VSP proposal is discussed by county officials, planners, and administrators and by the public at large.