The how-do-we-help-developers approach to developing the county is clearly not resulting in sustainable communities. Instead, Prince William needs a new approach that re-focuses attention on the plan published Sept. 11 by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and the county’s commitment to that plan.
Prince William County’s comprehensive plan already anticipates 30,000 new houses. To meet the MWCOG recommendations, we need to add 15,000 more dwelling units by 2045.
All the MWCOG jurisdictions agreed: the right approach is to add housing at transportation nodes. In Prince William, this means the six defined “activity centers.”
The Kline property, near the intersection of Prince William Parkway and Liberia Avenue, is not among the six activity centers in Prince William County. Neither is Independent Hill or the rural crescent.
North Woodbridge is an activity center. The proposed New Woodbridge small area plan alone could accommodate 10,000 to 15,000 more dwelling units. Other activity centers with existing VRE stations could accommodate 100% of the need for additional housing in Prince William County.
There is no need to add more houses within the rural area. In fact, there is no need to include any new housing in any other area in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
Restricting new houses to the six activity centers in the county would minimize new traffic congestion. Growth away from those six activity centers would increase future traffic congestion.
Land speculators are looking for a quick profit. Citizens are looking for good schools, less traffic and more parks.
Why would anyone support more building in the rural area or elsewhere that will increase traffic congestion?
Charlie Grymes
Manassas