Goochland residents express worries about tech plans in new proposed district

GOOCHLAND COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Some Goochland County residents are cautiously watching their government on proposed zoning changes where the Board of Supervisors can help make way for data centers and large tech developments.

This zoning is under the proposed Technology Overlay District where some who live in the Readers Branch subdivision off Hockett Road have said they are disappointed in the Goochland Board of Supervisors. They add that they are worried about the new regulations.

If approved, the neighborhood could possibly see data centers and research facilities including just beyond the homes' tree line.

Take a look at the district itself in white -- it stretches along most of the Route 288 corridor in eastern Goochland.

The Board of Supervisors wants to update the zoning ordinances to support high-tech developments, which they say would grow tax revenues.

High-Tech not only includes data centers, but also modular nuclear reactors -- one of which is proposed near the backyards of Readers Branch residents.

"We're not interested in having six-story buildings 50 feet behind our houses," said resident Lee Halvorsen. "And when the small modular reactors were mentioned, all I can think about is a small, modular Chernobyl and a small modular Three Mile Island."

"I asked what exactly could be built behind my house before I placed the contract on my house, I was told that it was zoned for M-1 manufacturing. No one ever mentioned that the Goochland category for M-1 manufacturing included data centers and distribution centers," added resident Cynthia Haas.

More of them are pumping the breaks.

"I have a son-in-law who happens to be a firefighter in Chesterfield, and just this morning, there was another fire at a data center," said Nancy Prue.

Other residents discussed more concerns about current data centers and the existing zoning laws from the 1980s -- ranging from the noise, the proximity to the homes, the pollution, especially for nuclear projects, and the impact emergency vehicles will have on the road when equipment is on rural roads.

"Some of the objections to the data centers -- beyond just we don't want them here is -- the height is 120-foot max, which is twice as high as which seems reasonable," said resident Breck Daughtrey. "The decibel levels are unacceptable, set at 65 in the daytime and 60 at night. I think we want 55 and 50."

"It's a 50-foot boundary between this community and a facility that they put in the M1 zone," said resident Pixie Hamilton.

" I don't know if any of you have Googled what a gas peaker plant looks like, but it's this huge chimney stack that puts out pollution, and none of that needs to be here in Readers Branch or around those who are vulnerable," said resident Lisa Sykes.

To be clear, some residents believe there can be a sweet spot between the county bringing in more tax revenue and respecting residents' quality of life.

They also told 8News they're willing to help figure out what works, starting at Monday night's community meeting and presentation about the proposed district.

The meeting took place at 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 8 at Goochland High School.