Stafford Planning Commission frowns on two projects developer had first proposed years ago.

By RUTH FINCH

Date published: 9/10/2005

It's been at least three years since the Stafford Board of Supervisors rezoned a single acre for new houses.

Because of the board's reputation for refusing to consider residential rezonings, most developers don't even bother formally asking.

But Garrett Development Corp. did this week. And two of its projects were summarily recommended for denial.

It's frustrating, said Marne Sherman, Garrett's planning and zoning analyst, because both the projects her company proposed were just what the county has said it wanted at one time.

After back-to-back defeats at the Planning Commission, she said the best she can hope for is better luck with the Board of Supervisors, which has final authority to rezone property.

"We're just hoping they can recognize that these are quality projects and have the courage to explain to constituents why it's quality and have the courage to vote to approve it," Sherman said.

Garrett's attorney, Clark Leming, said that in an election year that's a long shot.

"I would be very surprised if they adopted them," he said.

Two years ago, the board was sued after rejecting a project that fit into the county's stated long-range plans. That lawsuit is still pending, and supervisors met in closed session earlier this week to discuss it.

Leming would not say whether a lawsuit could result if supervisors reject Garrett's plans.

"Garrett's objective is to move ahead," Leming said. He said owner Andy Garrett "felt particularly compelled to move along and at least get a vote on these."

The first project, Brentsmill, would put 275 homes on 385.5 acres in Widewater, between Telegraph and Flippo roads.

Originally, Garrett had wanted to develop Brentsmill as a planned urban community of 450 homes and a commercial center. But that would have required the county to agree to swap one proffered school site for another. The swap was never worked out, so Garrett went ahead with a scaled-back plan this week.

"The plan presented [Wednesday] is based on the current comprehensive plan almost to a T," Sherman said.

The developer volunteered to build a portion of the Widewater Parkway, a proposed road to link the peninsula to U.S. 1. Garrett also proffered sites for a fire and rescue facility and a library, plus $16,742 per house in cash. Even the wildlife corridors the county had asked for in place.

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Date published: 9/10/2005