TO: Bill Milne (occoquanpc@gmail.com) <occoquanpc@gmail.com>; Fry, Rene <PotomacPC@verizon.net>; riccar1110@aol.com <riccar1110@aol.com>; Don Taylor <windyknoll2@gmail.com>; Patti McKay Planning Commission <pattimckay@msn.com>; Bruce Holley <ebholley@gmail.com>; abh.issues@gmail.com <abh.issues@gmail.com>; planningwoodbrige@gmailcom <planningwoodbrige@gmail.com>
CC: Horner, Rebecca <RHorner@pwcgov.org>; Donohoe, Stephen L. <sdonohoe@pwcgov.org>; corey <cstewart@pwcgov.org>; Lawson, Jeanine M. <JLawson@pwcgov.org>; peter candland <pcandland@pwcgov.org>; randerson@pwcgov.org <randerson@pwcgov.org>; Angry, Victor S. <VSAngry@pwcgov.org>; frank principi <fprincipi@pwcgov.org>; maureen caddigan <mcaddigan@pwcgov.org>; marty <mnohe@pwcgov.org>
Positive movement forward…
Dear Planning Commissioners and Mr. Donohoe,
The purpose of public hearings is to evaluate projects and determine what works and what doesn’t work within an application and address the concerns of citizens. Far too often, the community has viewed this process as an exercise in futility. A developer comes before the board, presents their application, and with a few minor tweaks, it sails through as is, with the community feeling ignored and disrespected. Never before, with the current introduction of these various mini sector plans, errr Small Area Plans I mean, and Rural Development Plan, has the community experienced such dysfunction and chaos. Our heads are spinning responding to these various very objectional out of step proposals county wide. Instead of a “Comprehensive” Planning process, we are dealing with outlandish proposals that impact the entire county and do not comport with our smart growth principals that are identified in our long term strategic plan. Instead of a Comprehensive Plan update, we are looking at Prince William County as if it has been dismembered, not as the whole, but in its parts, completely disconnected.
It’s enough.
I know, I sound very negative and yet my subject line was complimentary. I am getting there, I promise.
Last night, once again, I was blown away by the articulate, well informed, and eloquent comments by Prince William County residents. How lucky are you, as a decision making body, to have access to such an educated citizenry, such a passionate engaged community. This IS the very underpinnings of an effective democracy. I feel like finally, finally, there is movement to acknowledge we are facing some significant issues in how we are planning growth in our county. It’s certainly not the end result we need to get to, but there is movement in the right direction.
Commissioner Holley gets it. Bravo Sir. The request to look at an Historic Overlay District IS the correct direction we should be heading with the cut out sector/small area plan for The Freed Slave Settlement on 29. . The Settlement is a rare asset, not just for PWC, not just for Virginia, but for the country. As we grapple, especially as Virginians, with our history, how better to understand our past, than to first protect it. The power line fight brought to the forefront what might have been destroyed. Isn’t it incumbent upon the leadership in this county to advocate for its protection now?
What is YOUR legacy when it comes to your service to Prince William County….
Now, onto Independent Hill. Another out of sync application. The intensity of this development proposal is stunning. Where is the appropriate compatibility of zoning? Nestled next to Prince William Forest Park, with Rural Crescent as another boundary, this cut out sector/small area plan makes no sense. Given the COG report, to place such high density with no access to transit, is a tax payer nightmare. And since when do Land Fills become a positive activity center by which to co locate residents?? Kim Hosen, as usual, did an excellent job explaining the multiple assets within Prince William Forest Park. Why wasn’t that taken into consideration from the outset? When I spoke to the lack of a CPA for the portion of the Independent Hill development into the Rural Crescent there was initial confusion. It is my understanding that the portion that included the rural crescent is going to be removed! See, positive movement in the right direction.
We have soooo much to be proud about in Prince William County, but we don’t seem to be good at protecting or highlighting what sets us apart from the rest of Northern Virginia.
You know it isn’t a sign of weakness to admit when mistakes are made, it’s a sign of strength. I see some strength right now and I am encouraged by it.
Protect the Freed Slave Settlement along route 29. Wait for the Settlement Study results.
Completely reconfigure the Independent Hill Sector Plan/SAP.
Put the Rural Crescent Development Plan in the trash can and actually implement the strategies that were promised when it was adopted in 1998. Ten to one, that IS what your very educated articulate citizens are advocating, do not develop the rural crescent with sewer, high density cluster housing or TDR’s.
Make decisions based on the health and well being of an entire county, not just a few who would directly benefit. We believe in growth, in the right places. You don’t see anyone complaining about North Woodbridge do you? Invest in Redevelopment. Be the 21st century planning model for Virginia as we struggle to find balance in protecting our taxes, our trees, our history, while at the same time setting the standard for live work and play communities. You can do it! You are at the fork in the road, which direction will you take…..
I strongly urge Planning Staff, Commissioners, and Supervisors to attend the PWCA forum on September 30th, 6:30 pm, at Giuseppe’s Restaurant in Haymarket. The Forum will have experts on TDR’s, PDR’s, and Conservation Easements. And the food is terrific.
So in closing, I wanted to say thank you. Thank you for responding last night and acknowledging our concerns are valid regarding Independent Hill and Route 29. It’s a good first step.
Very Warmly,
Elena Schlossberg