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On Monday the county kicked off its Comprehensive Plan review process with the Planning Commission’s first public hearing on the topic. Understandably, turnout was low given the tragic events in Blacksburg that day. But some citizens of District 3 showed up and spoke on what they would like to see happen in their part of this community and for the county as a whole. That’s a good sign.

This is an important process, and — as anyone who’s followed Hanover County’s process can attest — often a contentious one. That’s only natural for areas like Goochland and Hanover where growth is such a powerful, and sometimes frightening, force of nature.

It would be safe to say that Goochland has thus far done a good job of not becoming an extension of Richmond — avoiding a fate as a generic, faceless, cookie-cutter community located “on the outskirts of the city.” Instead, Goochland has remained an entity unto itself, one with character and charm and relative independence from any metropolitan area. 

For most folks, that’s the core of what the county’s land use plan should continue to do. Some would argue that it needs to do a better job of accomplishing that goal and slow development. Developers, given the marketability of the area (great schools, prime real estate, open land, ideal location) might argue otherwise.

The county’s village concept is the crux of the matter, the question being whether or not it is working as it should and whether the villages are where they should be. Growth is inevitable and not all bad. Managing it is the key to the future. 
In the end, it’s up to the Board of Supervisors, but this is one issue you can be sure the public will have an impact on. Make sure and participate as the process moves along.

—Wesley Hester