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Goochland planning panel backs Luckstone quarry expansion despite Henrico residents' concerns
Summary
The Planning Commission recommended approval of a conditional-use permit enabling expanded overburden placement and stone-processing areas for Luckstone on property east of Ashland Road, approving buffer and dust-control conditions. Henrico officials and nearby residents asked for a 30‑day deferral and pressed the company on berm heights, air and noise safeguards.
The Goochland County Planning Commission on July recommended approval of a conditional‑use permit that would allow Luckstone (doing business as Luck Companies) to expand overburden stockpiles and stone‑processing operations on a 70.18‑acre site east of Ashland Road, moving the proposal to a Board of Supervisors public hearing on Sept. 3, 2024.
Tom Coleman, the county's principal planner, told commissioners staff would require a 350‑foot buffer along the Henrico County line — 50 feet of undisturbed vegetation plus a 300‑foot berm that would ultimately be incorporated into phased overburden lifts — and imposed conditions on groundwater protection, fugitive‑dust control, lighting and limits on primary crushing. Coleman said the overburden placements would be limited to 150 feet in height and that hours of operation would be set at 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Linwood Thomas, director of Luckstone's Mid‑Atlantic Greenfield team, said the company has operated in the area for decades and stressed environmental controls. "We have had no violations of air or water in 60 years, not 1 violation," Thomas said, pointing commissioners to state Department of Environmental Quality records and an award the company recently received for reclamation work. He described phased berm construction and screening intended to reduce noise and dust and said the application does not seek new blasting or extraction on the southern parcel.
Henrico County representatives and neighborhood residents urged the commission to delay action. Misty Whitehead, a Henrico supervisor representing adjacent neighborhoods, asked commissioners to "defer vote on this case for at least 30 days," citing concerns that staff materials were posted only days earlier and that measurements and comparisons to nearby landfill heights needed independent verification. Several residents from the Western Estates neighborhood described ongoing noise and blasting impacts and requested more time and data on air monitoring, wildlife impacts and visual screening.
Luckstone responded that the northern parcel and some operations were previously approved, that —this is only the southern piece— seeking permitting, and that the company conducts air monitoring and would work with DEQ and neighbors on complaints. Staff noted the application includes a groundwater protection plan, dust‑management and limits on hazardous materials.
Commissioners voted to recommend approval of the CUP with the stated conditions. The planning commission's motion passed 5–0; staff said the item will be scheduled for a Board of Supervisors public hearing on Sept. 3, 2024.
Next steps: the Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing and consider the commission's recommendation; staff will require a plan‑of‑development submittal that must show specific retention of tree screening and details on berm phasing and dust control.
