Answering the Gooch Letter Concerning the Referendum Petition on Fluvanna Joint Water Authority with Louisa

by Douglas R. Johnson
March 14, 2009

Supervisor John W. Gooch, who did recently recuse himself from a vote on a high density housing proposal which included hooking up to this pending water line because of his business relationship with the development, has now written a letter published in the Fluvanna Review promoting that very water line.

It is odd that the first proposal for the use of the water line was not for any of the "industries and businesses that could help broaden our tax base and reduce the burden on Fluvanna taxpayers", but for a high density housing project that would have actually INCREASED the burden on Fluvanna taxpayers. Fortunately, the other five Supervisors turned down that project.

There are many concerned citizens who honestly believe that the water line going to Zion Crossroads would attract "industries and businesses that could help broaden our tax base and reduce the burden on Fluvanna taxpayers". But few realize that the accompanying Comprehensive Plan also being voted on March 18, 2009 designates Zion Crossroads for high density housing with from four to ten units per acre.

So how do we protect ourselves from the unintended consequences of high density housing projects in our quest for "industries and businesses that could help broaden our tax base and reduce the burden on Fluvanna taxpayers"?

First, let's "Fact Check" Supervisor Gooch's assertions.

Virginia code § 15.2-5114, Powers of authority, clearly contradict Mr. Gooch's contention concerning eminent domain and the hooking up to the pipeline. The limitations Mr. Gooch claims are not in either the enabling statute to be voted on at the March 18th BOS meeting nor in the Virginia code.

Yes we have gone slowly and methodically for 20 years. But that does not mean we should now legislate out all safeguards we need to protect our county from unscrupulous developers who only look at the immediate profits to them and not the long cost burden on the County.

The details MUST restrict high density housing at least until the phantom "industries and businesses that could help broaden our tax base and reduce the burden on Fluvanna taxpayers" reveal themselves.

If we have worked 20 years to get it right, why not go a few months more to sell us the details and let us vote by referendum on the fully specified proposal?