A group of Goochland homeowners are working with an attorney to sue Goochland County in the wake of recent legislation passed by the Board of Supervisors to approve the Technology Overlay District (TOD). Their lawsuit, expected to be filed soon after Thanksgiving, will ask the Circuit Court to invalidate the legislation (TOD) passed by the Goochland Board of Supervisors on Nov 6, 2025. Among other things, the TOD permits data centers to be built without the necessary protections residents have requested.
While it’s not possible to predict the outcome, residents are optimistic that the law will be invalidated and the county will be forced to start over and this time, follow Virginia law and protect the community.
Goochland resident Cynthia Haas said, “Filing a lawsuit is just the first step of our fight. We have been able to pay for this step with the initial $20,000 that was donated.”
The residents estimated they need to raise an additional $200,000 to move forward with their case. “We cannot guarantee if we win this lawsuit, no data centers will ever be built in the TOD. However, we can guarantee if we do not continue this fight, we will lose our one and only chance to force the county to follow the law and to add the necessary protection for all residents.”
The timing is important because this lawsuit had to be filed within thirty days. Fifty-three residents from several communities raised approximately $20,000 to hire legal representation. They are holding an informational and fundraising meeting on Tuesday, December 9 at the Chinese Baptist Church of Richmond in Manakin Sabot. A copy of the complaint will be available for review and the attorney will be present to answer questions.
If you’re interested in learning more, please mark 12/9 on your calendar and RSVP by email to Cynthia.haas@comcast.net with the number of people attending no later than 12/4. The time and location will be provided by email to those who RSVP.
All funds raised will be used to pay attorney’s fees and lawsuit-related expenses.r neighbors and represent our interests on the Henrico side of the county line.
Take Action
- If you’d like to attend the meeting and learn more, please RSVP to Cynthia.haas@comcast.net with the number of people attending by 12/4.
- If you’d like to donate to the legal fund, you can do that using GiveSendGo: Stop the data center madness and nuclear threat.
- Alternately, you can contact Susan Willis at swillis8@comcast.net for details on donating by check.
Learn More
- Read our past reporting on Data Centers
