 Photo by Jim Ridolphi
Voices speak out on Comp Plan update Speakers say the process needs more input from residents
If the opinions expressed at Monday night’s Comprehensive Plan Citizen’s Advisory Council Input meeting was any indication, Goochland residents are determined to shape their own future when it comes to planning.
Although the opinions voiced were as varied as the sections of the county, one theme rang true throughout the more than two-hour meeting—an overwhelming desire to be involved in shaping Goochland’s next Comprehensive Plan.
Last month, several members of the Citizens Advisory Committee, formed to gather public input in the update process, requested a 60-day extension so that more comments could be gathered.
Monday’s meeting was their idea, a sort of last-chance opportunity to hear from citizens before the comments are cataloged and presented for consideration.
The public will have an opportunity to voice their opinion on the update at several public hearings that will accompany the final approval process.
Many of those attending the meeting were more concerned with the process and its lack of meaningful citizen input.
Paul Costello, a District 4 resident and member of Concerned Citizens with Goochland Growth (CCGG), said the public input process is fundamentally flawed.
Costello cited a lack of information between the citizens and the Planning Commission following the release of a draft plan over two months ago.
“We believe there is critical citizen input missing from the 2028 Comp Plan,” he added, referring to the lack of a vision statement and other elements.
“The 2028 Comp Plan needs to appropriately reflect the shared values and informed input from a diverse group of property owners, neighbors, merchants, developers and community leaders across all five districts of Goochland,” Costello said.
He said officials have sought and received citizen input, but have paid little attention to the suggestions.
“This is not meaningful citizen participation,” he said. The lack of land-use plans, in Costello’s mind, is another major omission in the draft.
John Lewis, also a member of CCGG, said the updated language in the draft lacks the fortitude necessary to enforce ordinances.
“There has been a deliberate effort to go through the document and take out words like shall and will and replace them with should,” Lewis said. “Of course, you’re familiar with what that means. You can’t hold people’s feet to the fire with the word should.”
Many speakers echoed the public-input sentiments, and some went a step further, asking what will happen with these comments.
Some asked if the Board of Supervisors or Planning Commission would even hear their concerns.
Assistant planner Tom Coleman, who heads the county’s Comprehensive Plan effort, said many of the suggestions heard at the meeting will be considered for the revised draft, expected to be completed by August.
Community activist Elizabeth Nelson-Lyda said she didn’t think the Comprehensive Plan should endorse any plans that are not funded.
She also suggested an annual mission statement by the school system be included in the update.
Several citizens, including Nelson-Lyda, expressed the need for a glossary at the beginning of the document to assist citizens in understanding some of the intricacies of terms associated with the plan.
District 3 resident Bill Burnet said the plan does not reflect the vision of the citizens of Goochland County.
“As far as it (the plan) sits today, it’s ripe for developers to continue plowing Goochland under, one acre at a time,” Burnet said. “It’s been written behind closed doors.”
He added, “It’s not addressing the issues raised during citizens’ input back in 2007.”
Burnet and other citizens expressed a belief the plan lacks accountability and a method to measure progress.
He described the current draft as “gutted” and “lacking teeth.”
While there was consensus among the audience regarding the lack of inclusion of previous citizen input in the current draft, other issues evoked varied responses.
One citizen spoke in support of including language in the plan that supports and encourages affordable housing in Goochland County.
District 5 resident Pat Turner said that’s a noble goal but virtually unobtainable in Goochland due to high land prices.
“You’re never going to have affordable housing on two and three acre lots,” he said.
District 4 committee member Hank Hartz explained the reasoning behind the special meeting held in the county administration boardroom.
“What we’re trying to do here is just gather some public input concerning the Comprehensive Plan,” Hartz said.
“Our intention is to get together as a group, as we were tasked by the Board of Supervisors, and put together your comments. I don’t know whether we will take a stand on any of the issues one way or another. I assume we’ll just pass the information on to the Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission.”
“It seems to me that what you’re looking for is a collaborative process,” Hartz said.
That comment drew affirmative applause.
Coleman said his department hopes to submit an amended draft for consideration in August, and hopes to have all public input in his office by June 1.
The committee will meet with county planning staff to review its collection of public input and suggestions.
It will then submit copies of those comments to the Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, and planning department.
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