Being in the cloud is cloudy

The American Battlefield Trust is appealing a decision by the Circuit Court of Prince William County that dismissed its lawsuit against the county and tech companies planning to build the world’s largest data center complex next to Manassas National Battlefield. The lawsuit, filed by the Trust alongside citizen plaintiffs, challenges the proposal to cover 1,750 historic acres with sprawling data centers and infrastructure. You can read their full statement here.

We are catching glimmers of progress, however. Last month, the Planning Commission delayed the Stack proposals to allow representatives to meet with Joann Gaskins and work toward a respectful agreement on preserving the cemetery and honoring the historical significance of the land. You can read Joann Gaskins' op-ed here.

Additionally, the Bristow Battlefield data center proposal has been deferred for review. This project falls outside the county’s data center overlay district and, if approved, would contribute to an already massive cluster of eight Stack Infrastructure data centers along Hornbaker and Linton Hall Roads. Approval would lead to ten data centers tightly concentrated near the Regency Apartment Homes on Hornbaker Road, just north and west of the Target shopping center on Nokesville Road.

Bluebirds Steal A Breath (2024 Season Reflections by Liz Piazza)

As I carefully untwisted the metal screw I was not expecting any changes. I’d grown accustomed to the trail in my new duties at Merrimac Farm. So far in my bluebird experience I’d walked under the warm spring sun, jotted down nest building progress, and enjoyed counting speckled eggs. But I’m impatient. When would they hatch into living breathing beings? My thoughts drifted to my teenage and adult children. Were they any different? When would they peck open on their own into a wider world?

As I gently lowered the wooden brown wall my whole world changed. Judgment of loved ones darted away. My breath ceased. My heart skipped. What was I looking at?

Yellow triangles among black fuzz. Could I see into empty cavernous stomachs? Where are the eggs? What is this? This tiny world flooded my being. Then a gentle tenderness flooded my being. They were here! Oh how I wanted to hold and feed them. But I knew better, thanks to the training that I’d received a few weeks ago.

Then it dawned on me that I was staring. I came to my senses and returned the door to its original position. Why was it taking so long? Had time stopped? Were my hands shaking? Had I “done it right?” Oh my goodness ~ could new life be waiting for me?!

And then I realized that I had not “done it right.” In my awe I’d completely forgotten any world beyond the one in the box. I’d forgotten how to count. I’d forgotten how to breathe. The hatchlings had whisked me away from earthly thoughts into the present moment. What wonder! What joy! Bliss. Peace.

I collected my thoughts, took a deep breath, and tried to focus.  I opened the door once more to peek inside. They were still there! It seemed impossible that so much life teemed inside the small warm box. This time I silently counted 4 yellow beaks (not triangles after all) and noted damp dark feathers. I dared not breathe. Maybe they would blow away? I snapped a photo and meticulously closed the door.

I emailed our team as soon as I returned to my car. Surely they would share in this world changing event. And how! Over the next two days email replies flew back to me, affirming the delightful discovery.

As I look back I’m a bit embarrassed about how much I gushed to my team over the hatchlings. Have I grown familiar to the thrill, like watching the sun set or feeling the breeze on my face? One thing is for sure ~ I’ll definitely return to the trail next year.  

Editor’s Note:

Thank you to first time monitor, Liz Piazza, for writing this wonderful glimpse into the world of bluebird monitoring. If you’d like to get involved next year, please fill out this volunteer form detailing your interest. Find last year's blog post here.

At Merrimac Farm volunteers found 34 bluebird eggs, of which 32 fledged. That's a survival rate of 94%!

Chinn Park Trail saw 63 bluebird eggs leading to 37 fledged and a survival rate of 59%. The Chinn Trail boxes also housed 32 tree swallow eggs, of which 28 fledged with a survival rate of 88%.

Many thanks to Rita Romano and Charles Badal, the outstanding leaders of this year’s crew of volunteers. A hearty thank you to the rest of our spectacular volunteers; Ines Nedelcovic, Val and Billy Ritter, Susan Hunt, Steve Clendenin, Kitty Monroe, Alaura and Grace Thapa, Amy Wilson, Jennifer Moyer, Brett Beckner, Kathleen and Steve Hurst, and Janet Wheatcraft. I would also like to thank Kevin Parker and Valerie Kenyon Gaffney for their support this season.

Smith Crossing: Comments to the Planning Commission

 

Dear Chair McPhail and Planning Commissioners,

I am writing to express my concerns regarding the Smith Crossing proposal (REZ2024-00005), which seeks to rezone approximately 235 acres from A-1 Agricultural to PMR Planned Mixed Residential. This proposal envisions a 375-unit residential community, with 117.39 acres remaining as open space, resulting in a density of 1.64 dwelling units per acre. This project, as the first to utilize the newly introduced Conservation Residential land use designation from our updated comprehensive plan, This project, as the first to utilize the newly introduced Conservation Residential land use designation from our updated comprehensive plan, is focused on increased density and not conservation as the classification might suggest.

While the initiative may seem promising, several critical issues need to be addressed:

1. Lack of Zoning Ordinance: As Smith Crossing is the inaugural project under the Conservation Residential designation, there is a noticeable absence of clear guidelines in our zoning ordinance. Rather than this definition being led by staff, it appears that this proposal will be setting the precedent of Conservation Redisdential moving forward.
   
   

2. Insufficient Public Input: This is the first public hearing dedicated to the Smith Crossing proposal. Prior to this, there have been no community meetings for residents to provide feedback on this project. The absence of a public engagement process undermines the principles of a sound planning and decision-making process
   
   

3. Developer-Driven Process: The development appears to be predominantly driven by the developer's interests rather than a balanced approach that involves input residents. See Lack of Zoning Ordinance.
   
   

4. Environmental and Access Concerns: The proposed "conservation" areas primarily consist of Resource Protection Areas (RPA), which are not suitable for development. Furthermore, these areas will be managed by the Homeowners Association (HOA) rather than being accessible to the public, limiting their ecological and recreational benefits.
   
   

5. Proximity to the PW Digital Gateway: The planned residential area’s proximity to what is anticipated to be the largest data center complex in the world may result in adverse impacts on the quality of life for future residents. This is an incompatible land use and requires additional mitigations and buffers.
   
   

6. Isolation of Open Space: The proposed open space is not contiguous with other green areas, reducing its ecological value and potential recreational use. Effective conservation typically requires connected green spaces to support wildlife and provide meaningful public access.

As you are well aware, our county is navigating a period of significant transition with the recent adoption of the Comprehensive Plan update that has significantly altered our land use policies. In facing the largest land use shift that this county has seen in 30 years, Fairfax Water recommended completing a water study before implementing such sweeping changes—a recommendation that remains unfulfilled.  Additionally, the newly adopted Community Energy and Sustainability Master Plan has yet to be fully integrated into our Comprehensive Plan and zoning ordinance, further complicating the development landscape.

This land is within the Agricultural and Arts Overlay District (AAOD), making it a prime area to fund and implement the county’s Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program to support rural economic growth and make this land more congruent with the surrounding area by reducing density and creating meaningful public open spaces that benefit both PWC residents, visitors to Manassas National Battlefield Park, and local wildlife. 

Thank you for considering these concerns. In its current state, the Smith Crossing proposal simply is not ready to move forward. 

Sincerely,

Ashley Studholme
Executive Director
Prince William Conservation Alliance

N. Va. Coalition to Hold News Conference After Hearing on Lawsuit Against Prince Wm. Co. and The Farm Brewery at Broad Run (International Investments) to Protect African-American, Native American Cemetery

MEDIA ADVISORY

N. Va. Coalition to Hold News Conference After Hearing on Lawsuit Against Prince Wm. Co. and The Farm Brewery at Broad Run (International Investments) to Protect African-American, Native American Cemetery

(THOROUGHFARE, VA, 8/26/24) – On Thursday, Aug. 29, the Coalition to Save Historic Thoroughfare, an organization founded to challenge the alleged ongoing desecration of African-American and Native American cemeteries in Thoroughfare, Va., will hold a news conference following a hearing in Prince William County Circuit Court to decide whether a lawsuit against the county and The Farm Brewery at Broad Run can move forward.

[NOTE: This is part of a nationwide effort by local communities seeking to protect historic Black and Native American cemeteries.]

WHEN: August 29, 2024, immediately after the at 1 p.m. court hearing

WHERE: Prince William Circuit Court, 31st Judicial Circuit of Virginia, 9311 Lee Avenue, Third Floor, Manassas, VA 20110

WHO: John Chapman “Chap” Petersen, attorney for the coalition and Frank Washington

CONTACT: Coalition to Save Historic Thoroughfare Spokesperson Frank Washington, 702-812-4174, savehistoricthoroughfare@gmail.com, John Chapman “Chap” Petersen, Esq., (571) 459-2510, jcp@petersenfirm.com

In a statement, Coalition to Save Historic Thoroughfare Founder and Spokesman Frank Washington said:

Prince William Conservation Alliance Hosts “People Who Make a Difference” Awards Ceremony

Honoring Community Champions Giuseppe’s Ristorante Italiano, Judy Gallagher, Joyce Hudson, and Julie Flanagan

June 24, 2024 – Prince William County, VA: The Prince William Conservation Alliance held its annual “People Who Make a Difference” Awards on Saturday, June 22. This year’s event celebrated four outstanding community members whose dedication and actions have significantly contributed to the preservation and enhancement of our local environment. The awards honor individuals who exemplify one of our core tenets: People who care, make a difference.

Comments on Mid-county Industrial Park - Planning Commission

On behalf of the Prince William Conservation Alliance, I am writing to express my concerns regarding the Mid-County Industrial Park and the proposed rezoning of approximately 40.91 acres from A-1 Agricultural to M-2 Light Industrial, as well as the associated amendments to the proffers. This proposal is next to neighborhoods and across the street from Prince William Forest Park. While I understand the need for development and economic growth, I believe we can do so without sacrificing our environmental standards and the well-being of our communities in the process.

Protecting the Occoquan Reservoir - ORPA

The Occoquan Reservoir watershed, primarily (40%) within Prince William County, is crucial for the water quality of our drinking water. Land use decisions in the county significantly influence the health of the watershed and thus the reservoir.

While Fairfax County implemented protective measures, such as downzoning, to protect the reservoir, Prince William County adopted the Rural Crescent in 1998 to limit sewer access and curb development pressure. However, recent changes in the Comprehensive Plan have blurred the line between rural and development areas.