Board has allowed too much residential growth

Dear Editor,

I wish to comment on your lead article in the June 27 Chesterfield Observer, "Could Republicans lose their board majority?"

Board Chairman Kelly Miller is quoted as saying that "population growth is only slightly more than 2 percent so we shouldn't stop growing," and his statement concerning landowner rights are an oversimplification of our situation. While 2 percent population growth may well be correct for the entire county, growth in the Matoaca District is reported at more than twice that rate, and the growth in the Upper Swift Creek area of Matoaca is far greater. Zoning for thousands of homes has continued to be approved by our supervisors, despite the fact that many citizens of the county have pleaded with them to slow down and let the infrastructure catch up to preserve some of the quality of life which has made Chesterfield an attractive place to live.

Instead, they continue to approve residential zoning cases at a rapid pace, often overriding denial recommendations from their own appointed planning commissioners. Appeals to consider road congestion and safety, ambulance, police, and fire protection response times, school overcrowding, Swift Creek Reservoir problems, and stress on virtually all other public services have been largely ignored. I don't believe anyone is against "landowner rights," but I believe the Board of Supervisors owes it to its constituents to act in the best interests of all the citizens of our county. The right to sell and develop property does not override the protection of the rights of the majority of citizens, especially when public safety, traffic congestion and school overcrowding are the result.

This is a great county, and it needs to grow. What we need is responsible management of our growth, which takes into serious account all of the factors surrounding any rezoning. It's time for a change. Let's try to elect those who will manage growth responsibly, while they hopefully clean up some of the current mess we're in. I have faithfully supported the Republican Party for many years, but the answer to the question raised in the article's headline is a resounding "yes," because following the party line has cost our county dearly.

Jerry McCracken

Chesterfield