Falmouth redevelopment plans unveiled

BY KAFIA HOSH

Date published: 4/26/2008

BY KAFIA HOSH

Redevelopment plans for Falmouth Village include tree-lined sidewalks, extended trails and the protection of old sites. But residents say a proposed traffic interchange defeats the whole purpose of preserving the historic village.

Stafford County officials presented their conceptual plans for Falmouth Thursday night.

About 50 residents and business owners gathered at Belmont to learn about the county's preservation efforts and a proposed diamond interchange at U.S. 1.

Several residents said the interchange would only carve Falmouth up and gobble up historic sites.

"Falmouth will no longer exist when this goes in," said one resident. "You can forget about any redevelopment."

People wondered why the Virginia Department of Transportation could not build a bypass interchange instead, though it would cost significantly more than the diamond design.

"I think they're looking at what's the cheapest, quickest fix," said Amy Johnson, who owns Amy's Cafe in Falmouth.

David Ogle, VDOT's Fredericksburg District administrator, said the diamond interchange requires a larger footprint, but is still being designed.

"You do have to take additional right-of-way" because of the area's heavy traffic flow, he said.

Falmouth is one of four redevelopment areas planned in the county.

Upgrading the village will begin with possible changes to zoning ordinances that determine on-site parking, setbacks and by-right uses.

Current zoning allows for wide front yards and other "restrictions that take away from the history of Falmouth," said Planning Director Jeff Harvey.

Redevelopment plans include preserving of historic buildings such as the Magistrate's Office, once used as a courthouse and voting place in the early 19th century, as well as the Counting House, a residence that dates back to the 1840s.

New additions include the possible extension of the Belmont-Ferry Farm trail and an activity center with a pedestrian overlook of the Rappahannock River.

The northern part of the village could include new shopping outlets.

Retail options are still being explored, but will consider Falmouth's aesthetics, according to county officials.

"I promise you we're not talking about those big-box retailers here in Falmouth," said Tim Baroody, director of Economic Development. "We're hoping to build a heritage asset."

County officials admitted redeveloping the historic area would be challenging, but would also take a detailed approach.

"We're very sensitive to the existing character of Falmouth," said Brad Johnson, redevelopment administrator. "In some cases we're going to be looking at lot by lot."

The county hopes to hold two or three more public workshops about the redevelopment in the winter and the spring of 2009.

Kafia Hosh: 540/735-1977
Email: khosh@freelancestar.com

Date published: 4/26/2008

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