INSIDE UDA plan stirs strong emotions > page 2
Volume 57, Number 8 • February 24, 2011
Neighbors say no to Goodwill store By Ken Odor jodor@goochlandgazette.com
Photo by Pete Knutsen
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An abandoned home on County Line Road burns last Saturday Fire also burned 300 acres on Cardwell Road.
Two fires strike Goochland County By Ken Odor jodor@goochlandgazette.com
Warm temperatures and gusting winds spawned dozens of brush fires all around the state last Saturday and Goochland was not immune. Goochland Fire and Rescue responded to two fires, one in the
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Hadensville area where an unoccupied dwelling was destroyed and one on Cardwell Road, where about 300 acres of brush burned. Chief William MacKay said a limb falling on a power line sparked the blaze on Cardwell Road at the end of Taylor Road. It burned out of control for about four hours after the call
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was received around noon. “Five to 10 acres were already burning when we arrived,” said MacKay. “We were fortunate it was the weekend,” he said, since more personnel were available. Even so, about 50 Goochland firefighters got help from 25 firefighters from Chesterfield, Henrico and the Virginia Department of Forestry at the
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Cardwell Road site. The Hadensville fire, confined to about three acres, broke out about 7 p.m. No outside resources were needed at that site said MacKay. Pete Knutsen said he and his wife returned from a trip to Richmond late in the afternoon, see Fire > page 4
Goodwill Industries hopes to build a new store in eastern Goochland County, just west of Route 288 on Route 250 at Mills Road. But residents of Bellview Gardens told Goodwill representatives last week they fear the organization’s plan will negatively impact their neighborhood. About 75 people gathered at the Company 3 fire station to hear about the proposed retail store and distribution center. Goodwill attorney James Theobald told the crowd that store plans call for a 17,450 square foot area, 11,000 of which would be for the store. Its one entrance would be off Mills Road, which also serves as the sole entrance to the neighborhood of some 35 homes. Theobald said on average one truck a day would come to the store. Anticipated hours would be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday with Sunday hours from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Seventy five parking spaces for shoppers
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would be provided. Current zoning is R-1 and Theobald said Goodwill is seeking B-2 zoning for the project. Construction of the store would triple the tax assessment of the property involved if approved, said Theobald and would have no impact on schools, unlike additional residential development of the area. “I’m passionate about what Goodwill does,” said Theobald. “It changes peoples’ lives.” But among the crowd of Bellview Garden residents the passion seemed equally strong to keep Goodwill away from Mills Road. “I don’t know of any other Goodwill store in a residential neighborhood,” said Ellen Kowalski. “How can you assure us our property values will not decline?” she asked, citing concerns over increased traffic, crime and possible dumping. “This will devalue our property and the quality of our lives,” said another resident. see Goodwill > page 4
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