Goochland supervisors approve $50,000 small‑business incentive, directional sign grant and several land‑use permits

The Goochland County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 1 approved a $50,000 small‑business expansion incentive, a $10,000 logo/tourist‑oriented directional sign grant program and several land‑use actions, including a conditional‑use permit for a winery with a tasting room and new short‑term rental approvals.

The incentive and sign program were the subject of a lengthy debate over whether the county should subsidize some businesses or instead reduce fees and streamline permitting for all. Economic development director Sarah Worley told the board the incentive was designed to help “2 to 3 businesses in 1 year” offset permitting and related costs; she said permitting costs can equal about 5–10% of a project’s construction costs and that the EDA would track recipients and report a return on investment.

Kathy Murray of Bird Sellers Vineyard and Winery urged support for the sign program, saying the signs helped her business: she reported an increase in new visitors after installing a directional sign. Board members exchanged views about picking winners, the speed of government, and whether fee reductions would be a fairer, broader approach. After a procedural motion to deny the $50,000 incentive failed, the board approved the incentive by a 4–1 vote and later approved the $10,000 logo sign program by a 4–1 vote.

Beyond the economic packages, the board approved several development and land‑use items in one meeting. The board granted a conditional use permit (CU‑2024‑00010) to amend conditions for the Bandits Ridge event venue to add a farm winery under 50 acres with a tasting room, allow up to two public‑assembly events per day (maximum 150 guests on site) and permit limited outdoor amplified sound tied to tasting‑room hours (planned hours for the tasting room: 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Thursday–Sunday). The approval also allows a short‑term unhosted rental in the existing dwelling with a 10‑guest occupancy limit; staff recommended and the board accepted conditions that would let the winery/tasting room and short‑term rental expire in June 2032 and that make a temporary restaurant use expire 60 days after ABC approval or in three years if licensing is not secured.

The board also considered Pleasant Grove Farm LLC’s request for an unhosted short‑term rental on Old Fredericksburg Road. Planning staff noted a 10‑year approval had been recommended by the Planning Commission but that county practice is to issue a five‑year initial approval for unhosted rentals. Applicants Mark and Sherrell McConnell said a longer term helps the lease/purchase business case; after debate the board amended the motion to a five‑year initial approval and approved the permit on roll call.

In consent and staff items, the board approved a request to transfer funds to cover increased costs on the Eastern Goochland Pump Station force main (overall cost increases were reported as roughly $740,000 with a requested transfer of approximately $480,000 to fully fund the project). Other consent items included donations of surplus fire tanker vehicles, school safety grant supplements totaling $157,331 (state and federal grants; no county funds required), and studies and seed funding for economic development infrastructure and site readiness.

What’s next: several of the approvals include conditions and expiration dates that will require follow‑up: staff will report back on how the small‑business incentive is used, recipients of the sign grant will be tracked, and the Bandits Ridge and Pleasant Grove approvals carry renewal or expiration timelines in the coming years.

Votes at a glance: small‑business expansion incentive — approved 4–1; logo/tourist‑oriented directional sign grant program — approved 4–1; CU‑2024‑00010 (Bandits Ridge amendment) — approved (roll call); CU‑2024‑12 (Pleasant Grove Farm short‑term rental) — approved as amended (5‑year term) on roll call.