Large turnout in opposition to Dominion zoning permit proposal

In Augusta County, the Board of Zoning Appeals heard speakers on both sides about Dominion Energy's proposal to set up a construction zone for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline on farmland near Churchville.

Representatives for Dominion said that the 34 acres of land across from the intersection of Scenic Highway and Union Church Road will act as a staging area, where 400 construction workers will meet 6 days a week before they head out to their individual sites over the next two years.

The request was filed by Brian Wright and Emmett Toms, agents for Atlantic Coast Pipeline, LLC, to establish what's been described officially as a "contractor storage yard" on land owned by Stanley Sheets.

The meeting was heavily attended by people in opposition of the permit, stating concerns that the permit will increase traffic on narrow roads and bring pollution to the community.

"This is an agricultural community and this is putting an industrial complex in the middle of an agricultural community," said Nancy Sorrells, co-chair of the Augusta County Alliance. "It's going to threaten our safety, it's going to threaten our water, it's going to threaten our landscape and our economic development."

Those in favor of the permit said that the permit will allow the construction workers to bring a much-needed energy source to the area and that they believe the site will be restored to farm land after the construction is complete.