Goochland County adopts technology overlay district and technology zone amid heavy public opposition

The Goochland County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 6 approved a Technology Overlay District and a matching Technology Zone incentive ordinance, voting 4–1 to adopt the measures with staff‑recommended changes and additional generator‑noise mitigation requirements. The board adopted the overlay after an extended public hearing in which more than 80 speakers — mainly neighbors of the proposed overlay — urged delay, tighter noise and emissions standards, and removal of a contested 900‑acre area labeled "TOD West."

County staff described the two measures as a paired tool set: the overlay (a zoning amendment and a companion comprehensive‑plan update) would set new local controls for technology uses such as data centers and advanced manufacturing, and the technology zone would allow the county and its Economic Development Authority to offer financial incentives (for example, reimbursing permit or water/sewer connection fees under an ROI review). Sarah Worley, deputy county administrator for economic and community development, told the board the measures aim to diversify the tax base while protecting rural character.

The proposal approved by the board contains several substantive limits and new requirements staff highlighted during their presentation: it bars any by‑right energy generation (including small modular reactors and gas peaker plants) and requires a conditional use permit (CUP) for specified high‑impact uses; it lowers the noise standard to 55 dBA measured at the property line and adds a 65 dBC limit to address low‑frequency noise; it requires a pre‑ and post‑construction environmental noise impact assessment prepared…