Issue 187

Friday, November 17, 2023

Prince William County

Dear Neighbors,

Last Wednesday, November 8th, the Planning Commission had their public hearing on the proposed Digital Gateway project in Gainesville on Pageland Lane. While much has been reported in the press, I wanted to cover some of the highlights myself. You can watch the hearing and see the agenda here.

Here are a few facts about the hearing:

• The public hearing started at an advertised time of 2:00 pm, versus the typical 7:00 pm evening start.
• The Planning Commission heard three applicant rezoning presentations: Rezoning #REZ2022-00036, Compass Datacenters Prince William County Campus 1, Rezoning #REZ2022-00033, Digital Gateway South, and Rezoning #REZ2022-00032, Digital Gateway North, as well as three staff presentations. These presentations were followed by Commissioner discussion and questions.
• The presentations and discussion lasted approximately 8 hours, ending around 10:00 pm. 
• Public Comment time began at 10:00 pm and consisted of both in person and remote speakers. Each speaker was allowed up to 9 continuous minutes to speak on the three rezonings, providing the normal allowance of three minutes for each application. Public Comment lasted approximately 14 hours, ending around 12:30 pm Thursday.
• There were roughly 190 speakers during the public hearing. Of those, roughly 110 were in favor of the proposal and 80 were against.
• The vast majority of the opponents of the project chose to use up their entire allowed 9 minutes for their remarks, amounting to approximately 12 of the 14 hours of the Public Comment time.

After Public Comment time, the Planning Commission had brief discussions and motions were made to defer the vote, which failed. The Commission ultimately voted 6-2 to recommend denial of the applications. Some Commissioners stated their denial recommendation was based on either a lack of review of new material by staff (details in next paragraph), a stated desire to move the application onto the BOCS for its December 12th hearing, or a desire to further review the project. To better understand the thoughts behind the various votes for recommending denial, view the meeting video here starting at 22:00 hours.

Important to note, the planning staff received the applicants' 4th submission at the end of August and further adjustments by the applicants were not allowed after this point. The planning staff evaluated this 4th submission and indicated there were still some outstanding issues and missing information, which, in part, led to their recommendation of denial. After receiving planning staff's position, the applicants submitted additional documentation and provisions to address the staff concerns. As is standard, the planning staff did not have time to review this information before the Planning Commission hearing.

As previously stated, the intent of some Commissioners who voted to recommend denial was for the applications to move forward for a final decision to the BOCS, knowing that planning staff would review the applicants new responses to their list of reasons for recommending denial. If you review the Commissioners' comments, you will see that some thought that the applicants' additional responses (which were included as a part of the applicants presentation) were adequate in making the project acceptable to the majority. 

The next step for these rezoning requests is the Public Hearing at the BOCS meeting on December 12th. Information regarding participation in that hearing will be provided in The Wheeler Report before the meeting.

In reflecting upon the extensive proceedings and the very diverse viewpoints, both for and against this project, shared during the Planning Commission's public hearing, it's evident that this project has garnered some community interest and engagement. As we anticipate the upcoming BOCS Public Hearing on December 12th, I encourage active participation as well as thoughtful and meaningful consideration from all concerned neighbors.

Stay tuned for further details on how you can be informed about the facts surrounding this crucial decision-making process. Please know that I sincerely appreciate your engagement, from throughout the county, in this process.

In Service,

Chair Ann Wheeler

Tuesday, November 14, Chair Wheeler and her staff attended the Friends of Horticultural Therapy, Inc. (FOH) 22nd annual Craft Sale at the McCoart County Complex. FOH provides volunteer service and financial support to the PWC Community Services Horticultural Therapy Program.

Be sure to read about an exciting update for FOH in County News below!

Wednesday, November 15, Chair Wheeler participated in a meeting of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' Transportation Planning Board. During the meeting, the Board was briefed on the:

• Targets for Transit and Highway Safety Performance Measures as required annually by the federal Performance Based Planning and Programming regulations (meeting presentation).
• 2023 Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities (meeting presentation)
• Visualize 2050 update (meeting presentation). 

The County Landfill and Balls Ford Road Compost Facility will be:

• Closed Thursday, November 23.
• Open 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, Friday, November 24.

Additionally, VDOT’s free mobile 511 app offers information about construction, traffic, incidents and congestion as well as access to traffic cameras, weather, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and more. Use 511’s “speak ahead” option for hands-free and eyes-free audible traffic alerts for incidents and construction along your route. Traffic information is also available at 511Virginia.org or by calling 511 from any phone. 

At its October 24 meeting, the BOSC authorized a Memorandum of Understanding with the Friends of Horticultural Therapy, Inc. (FOH) for the construction, operations, and maintenance of Therapeutic Horticultural Gardens on County-Owned land. It included the transfer, budget, and appropriation of $435,000 in General Use Proffer Funds and acceptance of $90,000 from FOH toward the project. FOH provides volunteer service and financial support to the PWC Community Services Horticultural Therapy Program.

At its November meeting, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments' Board of Directors adopted new regional solar energy goals for 2030 to align with broader climate objectives. The goals include achieving 250,000 solar rooftops by 2030, promoting solar installations on government facilities, exploring renewable energy for 100 percent of government operations, and supporting community-wide solar efforts. Currently, there are around 73,000 solar energy installations in the region. Learn more about residential solar in PWC here.

A big thank you goes out to Habitat for Humanity, Keep Prince William Beautiful (KPWB), and a group of dedicated local community business volunteers for a remarkable beautification initiative for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington - Prince William County. Their efforts this past week significantly enhanced the Martin K. Alloy Branch in Manassas, the General Heiser Branch in Dumfries, and the Hylton Branch in Woodbridge.

Interior transformations included drywall repair, priming, and painting in key areas such as the lower-level hallway, snack room, computer lab, library, and conference room. Kitchens and Art rooms received a refreshing upgrade with the replacement of cabinets. Generously donated ceiling tiles, paint, and supplies facilitated the success of these interior improvements.

The exteriors were revitalization through a meticulous painting process. Curb areas, handicap parking signs, benches, and recreational spaces like 4-square and hopscotch, were all given a fresh, vibrant look. Additionally, trash was picked up, gardens were weeded, and the club's buses were power washed.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit Hero's Bridge, which serves elderly veterans of the World War II, Korean, and Vietnam wars.

The trails at Silver Lake Regional Park can lead you along the lake, through the forest, and back again. PWC Department of Parks and Recreation is offering Navigating the Trails at Silver Lake Regional Park Saturday, December 2, 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm, to learn valuable skills and knowledge on navigating the park trails. Participants will build confidence while enjoying their experience in the outdoors. Register to participate here. Note, the $20 program fee is for two people.

“Sweat the halls” with stepping and lifting at PWC Parks and Recreation's Holly Jolly Fitness Combo Class on Saturday, December 9, 9:30 am to 11:30 am, at the Sharron Baucom Dale City Recreation Center. Begin with Xtreme Hip Hop Step and finish up with some Total Body Strength. Free for Center Passholders and $12 drop-in fee for non-passholders.

Saturday, December 9, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, PWC Parks and Recreation is hosting Movie in the Park - The Grinch inside the community center at Veterans Memorial Park. Please bring your lawn chairs or blankets for seating. The event is free, but participants must pre-register here for a ticket to the movie. A parent must attend with children under the age of 16.

On the hunt for more ways to get in the holiday spirit? Be on the lookout for our Holiday Guide 2023 issue next week!

• County Website and Career Opportunities
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• Residential Zoning: Decks, Sheds, Fences, Additions, Retaining Walls, and Swimming Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs
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