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Greetings!
I hope the New Year finds you and your family well. I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you some information about a pending land use decision in the Occoquan District. |
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The Oaks III Update | |
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Over the last several months, I have sent you a few updates regarding new developments occurring in the Occoquan District. Two of the most recent ones involved so called "by right" developments(Walgreen's and 7-11).
As you may recall, a "by right" development occurs when a project is constructed based on an old rezoning that was approved years ago. Because the rezoning has already been approved, the developer simply files his site plan and constructs his project. There is no need for approval from the current Board of Supervisors since the project was already approved by a prior Board. This is why the term "by right" is used.
As I have advised the community about these projects, some have expressed frustration with the fact that there is little that can be done by the Board or community with respect to a "by right" project. I certainly understand and share this frustration; however, under Virginia law, localities really only have one "bite at the apple," and this is the rezoning process.
To that end, I wanted to advise you of a rezoning proposal in the Occoquan District that is currently pending before the Prince William Board of County Supervisors. Specifically, a project known as the "Oaks III" seeks to rezone the property on the corner of Tanyard Hill Road and Old Bridge Road from A-1 Agricultural to a combination of Office and SR-1 Semi Rural Residential. The purpose of the rezoning is to expand the parking lot for Oaks I and II; construct a 32,500 square foot office building on the corner of Old Bridge and Tanyard Hill; and construct a single family home on Tanyard Hill. To review the staff report for this proposal, please visit the County's website or contact my office and we will provide you a copy.
Our office has received a great deal of feedback on this proposal. Some have contacted us in support of the project, citing the opportunity for additional office space and the fact that 13 and ½ acres of the site will remain in open space. Others have expressed opposition, citing increased storm water runoff into the Town of Occoquan as well as concerns about traffic as the office's main access point will be Tanyard Hill Road-a two lane road that is already heavily traveled during the morning and evening rush hours. |
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The Occoquan Town Council has unanimously taken a formal position in opposition to the project, as has the Thousand Oaks Townhouse Association. Please see additional information on the subject (here and here).
Because this project has generated a great deal of community interest, I wanted to make sure you knew that the public hearing on the matter will be Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. at the McCoart Building. If you wish to speak to the Board of Supervisors on this matter, you will have three minutes to express your views during the public hearing that evening. If you are unable to attend the public hearing but still wish to contact the Board with your comments, please feel free to email the entire Board at BOCS@pwcgov.org. Hearing from citizens helps us to better represent the community, so please feel free to contact us and share your views. |
