Goochland quarry project prompts cross-county controversy

GOOCHLAND COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — On July 18, Goochland County’s Planning Commission voted to move forward with plans to expand a quarry operated by Luck Companies , but Henrico County leaders and residents feel the project is moving too quickly.

The development is located along Ashland Road in an already fairly industrial part of the county — but there are also many homes nearby, which is why some residents of bordering Henrico County are worried about what this facility could mean for their families.

8News spoke with Henrico County Board of Supervisors member Misty Whitehead, who represents the Three Chopt District. Whitehead has been very vocal about how this project could negatively impact her community and said she’s hopeful the two counties can work together.

“I very much believe in regional cooperation, especially when we’re direct neighbors,” Whitehead said. “We’re simply asking Goochland to take the time that we would do with it and make sure that the process is fair. It does not feel fair to so many of us on this side of the property line.”

That property line could be about 50 feet away from dirt berm which is a part of the proposal.

“[The berm would be] up to 150 feet [tall], which, in common terms, is between a 12 and 15-story building,” Whitehead said.

Luck Companies operates an existing northern portion of the property and is discussing expanding the southern side. Because the development would be so close to some Henrico neighbors, homeowners and Henrico County leaders spoke out at last week’s Goochland Planning Commission meeting. They shared how residents are experiencing day-to-day issues with the nearby quarry as-is and that further developing the site would only make things worse.

“We have concerns about the noise impact,” Whitehead said. “We have concerns about the air quality impact, we have concerns certainly about the aesthetics of it as well.”

Some residents also fear expansion could displace wildlife – citing already increasing black bear sightings in their communities. No one from Goochland County was available to speak with 8News Wednesday, but the planning commission voted unanimously to recommend approving Luck Companies’ application. The company said that, in 60 years of operation, they have never had an air or water violation.

Meanwhile, in Henrico, officials said they still hope the process slows down so residents have more time to share their perspectives. Whitehead explained how residents and Henrico leaders weren’t able to view a report outlining the project in greater detail until just about two days before last week’s vote. She shared how Henrico officials reached out to potentially impacted residents and within that short time frame many were eager to weigh in. She said that should signify how vocal community members might be if given adequate time and opportunities to share how they feel.

“This is a decades-long process,” Whitehead said in reference to Luck Companies’ presentation. “This is going to be many, many years and that just further supports our argument that we have time to get this right. There’s no need to to rush this.”

At the meeting , Luck Companies representatives presented details about the project and answered questions about why they feel the project would benefit the community as a whole. They acknowledged residents’ concerns and described how they plan to keep them safe. Some residents countered that they have already felt unheard by the company in the past and they aren’t sure if they can trust that that will change.

The topic will be open for public hearing before the Board of Supervisors in September.
Those with opinions on this who wish for their voices to be heard should contact their local representative.

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