Public Opinion Shifts Goochland on TOD Proposal

With less than two weeks until the Goochland Board of Supervisors votes on the TOD proposal, the county has proposed revisions based on public feedback.

Public comment and written feedback have moved the Board of Supervisors a long way from where they started, and your voice continues to matter.

“The Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Goochland High School auditorium. The revised version of the proposed Technology Overlay District ordinance and a summary of proposed changes are available for the public to review prior to this public hearing.”

Excerpt from the Hanover County Website: “Since July, Goochland County has heard from many residents about the proposed Technology Overlay District (TOD) and Technology Zone (TZ). These discussions have shown how much people care about keeping Goochland’s rural character, while planning for smart, responsible growth.

Community input has already resulted in changes. Based on feedback, the county has tightened noise limits, expanded buffers and setbacks, limited generator testing hours, and refined which types of facilities could be built.

Highlights of the proposed revisions under consideration by the Board of Supervisors on November 6 include:

• No by right use for energy generation, including SMRs (Small Modular Reactors) and Gas Peaker Plants. Any energy generation as a stand-alone usage or accessory usage would require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) that would involve community input and a public hearing before both the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors. The CUP would be subject to conditions imposed by the County.
• No by-right data centers in the 900+ acres near Mosaic and Richmond County Club along Hockett Road (TOD West). Data centers in TOD West will require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP), with full community input, public hearings, and imposed conditions.
• Lowered noise standards, requiring 55 dBA and, to address low frequency noise, adding a new limit of 65 dBC, both measured at the property line.
• Prohibiting generators from running except for testing and during emergencies, as defined in the ordinance.
• Requiring that a generator testing schedule be published on a dedicated webpage.
• Mandating that generators must minimize noise by using one or more of these options: acoustic walls, enclosed generators, locating generators on side of building away from residential uses (using the building as sound screen), berms in the setback, or by generator type.
• Limiting construction hours.
• Increasing setbacks for data centers for properties with base zoning of A-2 adjacent to residential to 500 feet.
• Increasing setbacks for transmission substation adjacent to residential or agricultural zoned properties from 100 feet to 200 feet.
• Limiting the height of structures to 80’ adjacent to residential and agricultural zoned properties that are not a part of a TOD development.
• Prohibiting road access through residential zoned property.
• Requiring use of public water, not wells for commercial usage.”

Comments on social media show that while some residents are relieved that their concerns were taken into consideration, others don’t think these changes have gone far enough, particularly regarding the 900+ acres near Mosaic and Richmond Country Club along Hockett Road (now being referred to by the County website as TOD West). This is the property that is less than 1500 feet from the Henrico line outside of Short Pump that was added to the map between the July and August meetings.

Those against it feel that the 900 acres was added to the TOD without going through the appropriate rezoning process and that it should be removed. Concerns are even greater amid rumors of discussions between a private developer and the landowners regarding a contract for a data center project on that property.

Keep up the good work and continue to make your voices heard on this proposal!