Goochland Appoints Volunteer Fire Captain Martin Dean to Planning Commission

The Goochland County Board of Supervisors appointed Martin Dean to the Planning Commission representing District 5 on December 10, 2025. The seat had been held by Dwain Cosby from April 4, 2024 to October 16, 2025. The commission provides recommendations on planning and development and works closely with Planning and Zoning in reviews and formal actions presented to the Board of Supervisors, further details are available at https://www.goochlandva.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1339.

A longtime Goochland resident, Dean brings a decade of hands on public safety service as a volunteer Captain with Goochland County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services at Manakin Station 1. He also served two years as the Executive Director for the Goochland Volunteer Fire Association, where he oversaw renovations of Stations 1, 3, and 5 and the expansion of bays at Station 4. Those projects have direct relevance to planning discussions for site access, station siting, and the infrastructure needed to support growth.

On his appointment, Dean said, “I have been interested and involved with development for many years and look forward to helping Goochland ease into the development challenges ahead.” His professional and volunteer background positions him to bring operational perspectives to land use debates, particularly where development and emergency services intersect.

For residents of District 5 and broader Goochland County, the change matters because Planning Commission recommendations influence zoning amendments, subdivision approvals, and long range planning that affect property values, traffic patterns, and public safety. Commission members do not make final policy, but their findings and votes carry weight when presented to the elected Board of Supervisors.

Dean's appointment adds a voice grounded in on the ground emergency response and facility management to the commission as the county navigates growth and development pressures. Community stakeholders concerned about road access, emergency response times, and the siting of services will now see those operational concerns represented in commission discussions. The Planning Commission continues to serve as the formal advisory bridge between local residents, Planning and Zoning staff, and the Board of Supervisors.