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Commercial, not industrial uses?
Stafford supervisors will hold a public hearing Tuesday on a rezoning request that will impact businesses in the courthouse areaDate published: 3/16/2008 BY KAFIA HOSH Stafford County's plans to redevelop the Courthouse Road area into a thriving commercial sector is drawing fire from the industrial businesses located there. The county wants to reclassify 489 acres now zoned for industrial and agricultural use to an urban commercial zone. The Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on the request Tuesday. The reclassification would have a major impact on existing industrial businesses along Wyche Road and Venture Drive. The businesses would be considered "nonconforming," mean-ing they could never expand or rebuild if they suffered a loss of more than 50 percent in value from an accident such as a fire. EXPANSION PLANS Estes Express Lines has been at its Venture Drive location since 1989. The company has no immediate plans to expand but owns several acres of undeveloped land in the area. A potential expansion has "always been in our master plan. You don't have that extra land and property, then you stagnate," said Angela Maidment, director of real estate and economic development for Estes. However, Aquia District Supervisor Paul Milde said preventing expansion is the point. "I don't want any more industrial uses in that area," said Milde, whose district includes the Courthouse Road area. "I appreciate the contribution they've made to our society. We're not asking them to leave; we're asking them not to expand." If the rezoning is approved, Estes could apply for a conditional-use permit--a process that is not guaranteed and could take up to a year. The county also could impose limitations on the permit. "It's open for complete review," Maidment said. TOWN SQUARE CONCEPT The new zoning would redevelop the courthouse area into a town-square, pedestrian-friendly community with shops and tree-lined sidewalks. The rezoning would be more conducive to three planned projects: a new Interstate 95 interchange at Exit 140, the new public safety building, and the Stafford Hospital Center currently under construction. "We think we can finally begin to live our long vision of a pedestrian-friendly center," said Tim Baroody, Stafford's economic development director. "We've always lacked a strong identity. We believe we can build a sense of place and really make it a destination." OTHER OPTIONS
Date published: 3/16/2008
Why the hurry?
(posted by
Minx
, Mar. 16, 2008 10:51 am)
We're in an economic downturn, and the planning board has recommended waiting until the comprehensive plan is updated. Why is Milde in such a hurry to shove this down our throats? It will be nice to get offices, ect in the courthouse area, but at the same time, we need to make sure established businesses like Estes aren't forced out by it. Milde might not want more dump trucks, but if those drivers make $75K/yr, I certainly don't want those jobs leaving the area!
Sorry but
(posted by
wideopenspace
, Mar. 16, 2008 10:16 am)
There is nothing back where Estes is, why can they not expand if they want to? It is barren land that is just sitting. You can't see the place except from an airplane unless you drive back there. I had no idea there were that many business' back there until I made a delivery there one day. "Oh goodie, we have ruined 17 and 610 with commercial, let's now go ruin the Courthouse area with some commercial."
Only talk about 3 projects
(posted by
CoruptGov
, Mar. 16, 2008 9:57 am)
The possible 95 interchange, the new public safety building and the new hospital. What about the Juvenile Detention Center and the Rappahannock Regional Jail at the end of Wyche Road. This could be a great town square pedestrian friendly community.
beautiful?
(posted by
ellisgordan
, Mar. 16, 2008 8:56 am)
When was route 1 so pretty? Killing Stafford? I see Stafford and route 1 as a traffic nightmare. Maybe if you focused on keeping ruarl Stafford rural and developing the Route 1 corrider with appropriate transportation improvements we could "save Stafford" get your head out of the sand Zorro.
Killing the Stafford we knew and enjoyed.,,
(posted by
MrZorro
, Mar. 16, 2008 6:32 am)
We love the character that these fine industrial businesses give to Stafford, and the employment benefits are much better than cheezy stores would provide. The beautiful Stafford with its picturesque farms, industry, and the beautiful, quaint buildings along Route 1 are being replaced by hideous commercial junk.
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