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Overlay district will reduce erosion, but property owners are worried about value
Date published: 10/26/2008
BY JONAS BEALS
Much of Stafford County east of U.S. 1 is now subject to regulations designed to reduce erosion and nutrient and sediment runoff into Potomac River tributaries such as Aquia and Accokeek creeks. Planning Commissioner Cecilia Kirkman introduced the amendment at the request of Griffis-Widewater Supervisor Bob Woodson. He campaigned on the issue, noting that many residents of Aquia Harbour have problems with runoff from adjacent development. Residents believe that silt buildup in Aquia Creek has led to excessive flooding in their neighborhood. "This was designed to address that issue," Woodson said. "We got a lot of push-back from developers, but I represent the citizens of the district and the county." The amendment takes its cues from existing Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act provisions, which are in effect countywide and maintain 100-foot buffer zones around perennial streams and tidal shorelines, where building is restricted. The new overlay district expands those buffers to include intermittent streams. It also prohibits building on slopes greater than 24 percent adjacent to those creeks. According to estimates by the Department of Planning and Zoning, the overlay district affects approximately 4,700 of the 24,600 acres within the district. Supervisors decided not to fund an economic impact study on the district earlier this year. Doug Jones, who owns a farm within the overlay district, plans to put his property on the market in the next few months. He is concerned about what the ordinance might do to his land value. "Most of the water in the county runs into the Potomac," he said. "I don't know why they singled us out. "We're losing money because the county passed an ordinance. Maybe my grandfather should have bought property up in Hartwood." Proponents hope the changes will improve water quality in the Potomac River watershed by leaving surrounding land in its natural state. John Sylvester lives on Accokeek Creek, and said he has noticed a significant drop in the numbers of fish over the years. During a heavy rain, he said, nearby ditches and tributaries flow with what looks like chocolate milk. "Rivers are the property of all taxpayers," he said. "I hope this district will contribute cleaning up the mess caused by development on steep slopes in the area. It's been a long time coming." Supervisors Mark Dudenhefer, Cord Sterling and Paul Milde opposed the measure.
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