Last week, Richmond County Board of Supervisors delayed their vote on whether to grant Diatomite of America rezoning to build a commercial resort, championship golf course and more than 700 houses on 975 acres of pristine forests cliffs that overlook the Rappahannock River.
More than 200 people packed the meeting room, overflowing to outside where they listened from doorways into the front hall and from under a tree at an open door to the front of the building. The majority were opposed to the development, saying it puts at risk a large bald eagle population that roost and nest along the cliffs, as well as the health of the Rappahannock River. The development has pitted friends and family against each another. Tayloe Murphy, a native of Richmond County and former Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources is godfather of the developer's attorney.
"Mr. Smith is my godson and it's very difficult for me to stand here and oppose something he is proposing," said Murphy.
About five people, including contractors for Diatomite spoke in favor of the development.
Vance Headley, an advocate of private property rights summed up much of what was said by those who support the development.
"The question at hand is, is Richmond County open for business?"
But it was 25-year-old Lowery Pemberton who captured the moment.
"I am a county resident and I work for Friends of the Rappahannock, and my father's sitting right there staring at me pretty harshly, so it's a little bit of an awkward situation."
Pemberton's father Richard is on the board supervisors. She said the supervisor's have a tricky decision to make and offered this advice.
"My parents raised me to trust people. I don't think as you sit up there that the word trust is necessarily a word that should apply to this situation. And so what I urge you to do your due diligence. Make sure that you're not just trusting, you're actually knowing what you are putting in there."
Supervisors unanimously decided to delay the vote until their regular meeting next month so they can meet again with the developer's attorney.
