Community Meeting Addresses Accessory Housing Proposal in Goochland County
A community meeting is taking place tonight, December 8, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at 1259 Manakin Road as Stephen and Karen Dash seek a conditional use permit for a detached accessory family housing unit on 8.862 acres. The request invokes county zoning rules and the Comprehensive Plan designation of Rural Enhancement Area, making public input and zoning review consequential for neighborhood character and local land use policy.
Stephen and Karen Dash are holding a community meeting this evening regarding application PRE 2025 00033, which requests a conditional use permit for a detached accessory family housing unit on property at 1259 Manakin Road. The parcel totals 8.862 acres and is identified as Tax Map Number 57 1 0 53 0. The property is zoned Agricultural Limited A2 and lies within the county Comprehensive Plan designation of Rural Enhancement Area. The permit is required under County Zoning Ordinance Section 15 112 in accordance with Section 15 285 A.
The meeting is listed on the Goochland County Planning and Zoning calendar and begins at 6:00 p.m. today. Members of the public may attend the meeting at the address of the proposed project. Full application materials and additional information are available through the Community Development and Planning and Zoning office on the county website.
A conditional use permit request in this zoning context carries practical consequences for the immediate neighborhood and for county land use policy. Accessory family housing units are commonly used to house extended family members and can affect patterns of on site utilities including septic and well systems, driveways, and local traffic. Because the property is designated Rural Enhancement Area, county officials will weigh the application against goals for preserving rural character while accommodating appropriate development.
The community meeting serves as the initial opportunity for neighbors and other stakeholders to raise questions, identify site specific concerns, and request information from the applicants. You can review application documents through the Community Development office and submit comments to Planning and Zoning as the review progresses. Public input at this stage often shapes staff analysis and subsequent consideration by county decision makers.
For Goochland voters and property owners, the case highlights the interaction between local zoning rules and the Comprehensive Plan, and the role of civic engagement in land use decisions. Participation tonight and during the formal review helps ensure that the county record reflects local concerns as staff and elected officials apply the standards in Section 15 112 and Section 15 285 A.
