Media Stories
Latest News
Updated every weekday as availableBlue Ridge Railway Trial chugging along
Daily Progress, February 4, 2012
"The third phase of the Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail Project along the Piney River in Nelson and Amherst counties is under way. Plans include obtaining and displaying a caboose; putting up 50 signs about the history of the area and the railroad along the trail; and preserving a dump car and the weigh station."
More schools turn to the outdoors for learning
Daily Progress, February 6, 2012
"“The mountains are calling and I must go,” said famed naturalist John Muir. The Sierra Club founder would have been pleased that more area students are heeding Mother Nature’s call, as schools are heading for hands-on life lessons that can’t be taught in books."
Waters Place project at standstill
Culpeper Star-Exponent, January 27, 2012
"Under development for about six years, so-called “Waters Place” next to the Depot remains on solid ground, although the residential-commercial project has certainly evolved in that time. They’ve had to change its scope in order to coincide with changing demand in the real estate market, says the Charlottesville developer, Octagon Partners, a.k.a., OPRE. But the town of Culpeper claims variations in the multi-million dollar development venture are a “downgrade” not in line with what was originally promised back in 2007, including a “pedestrian plaza” on Waters Place, the street."
Bacons Rebellion, January 24, 2012
"With Virginia Tea Party activists egging them on, Republican legislators have submitted at least six bills that would repeal the Urban Development Area (UDA) requirement for Virginia localities. Overturning the law would eliminate an important tool for local governments to contain growth-related costs and hold down taxes — presumably a high priority for the Tea Party."
Weekly News
Updated every week as availableSupervisors again delay vote on Alwington development
Fauquier Times-Democrat, January 18, 2012
"As expected, Fauquier’s board of supervisors last Thursday delayed for up to three months the 172-home Alwington subdivision plan. On Jan. 12, the board held a 27-minute public hearing during which 10 people spoke, including several neighbors who voiced concerns about the project’s potential effects on their drinking water wells and area roads. "
Council votes to move activation date for form-based code
Loudoun Times Mirror, January 10, 2012
"Leesburg Town Council voted to move the official zoning map and zoning ordinance for the Crescent Form-Based District to the date on or before July 31, 2013 in order to develop the plan for the area with a 6-0-1 vote with Council member Tom Dunn absent."
Supervisors to delay decision on divisive Alwington plan
Fauquier Times-Democrat, January 11, 2012
"Peter Schwartz hopes to resolve transportation and water issues plaguing the controversial 172-home Alwington plan near Warrenton within the next few months. That’s why the Marshall District supervisor, who represents the area, said he will ask his fellow board members to delay action for up to 90 days on the proposal after Thursday’s public hearing on the project. "
Plan in works for land swap to create athletic fields at Biscuit Run
Daily Progress / Charlottesville Tomorrow, December 30, 2011
"Throughout this year’s master planning process for the new Biscuit Run State Park, local officials repeatedly pushed for the inclusion of athletic fields. It was also the No. 1 request from the public...Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville has stepped forward with a proposal to swap land it owns at the neighboring Southwood Mobile Home Park for land in the state park that it says is well-suited for a complex of up to five fields and parking."
Metro board approves GSA development agreement
Washington Post, December 16, 2011
"The General Services Administration will push to locate large-scale federal agencies at rail stations in a deal with Metro to promote transit-oriented development in the region. The transit authority’s board of directors approved the agreement at a meeting Thursday. The GSA, which handles the federal government’s real estate, plans to pick sites at Metro stations for agencies that need at least 500,000 square feet of office space. GSA would lease the land from Metro under a five-year agreement."
The Coalition for Smarter Growth, PEC's partner in the DC area, helped to rally support for this agreement--a big win for smart growth in DC and Northern Virginia.
Supervisors deny Redfields expansion
Daily Progress / Charlottesville Tomorrow, December 15, 2011
"The Albemarle Board of Supervisors has denied a rezoning request to expand the Redfields development on land just outside the county’s designated growth area. “When you weigh all the factors here, this should not be approved,” said Supervisor Dennis S. Rooker."
PEC supported this decision, arguing that the land should be maintained neighborhood open space, as it was represented to homeowners.
Public input sought on Outdoors Plan
Delmarva Now, December 21, 2011
"Beginning in December, planners with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation will conduct meetings across the state to gather public input for the 2013 Virginia Outdoors Plan. The Virginia Outdoors Plan is the state’s comprehensive plan for meeting outdoor recreation, land conservation and open space needs. "
Greenville nature trail encourages learning
Fauquier Times-Democrat, December 21, 2011
"Excited laughter filled the air at Greenville Elementary last week as students’ eager feet christened a new nature trail at the school. Winding through the woods on the north side of the school, the 1,650-foot trail loop is the culmination of teacher Jean Turney’s desire to see students spend more time outdoors."
Affordable housing units coming to The Plains in spring
Fauquier Times-Democrat, December 21, 2011
"Little by little, the Town of The Plains lost affordable housing for local working people. Over the last decade, about 30 homes were demolished, converted for commercial use or became uninhabitable because of poor condition, Mayor Bob Gurtler said. "
Fauquier Times-Democrat, December 9, 2011
"For about four years Diana Norris worked as an associate attorney for a small law practice in The Plains. The job with Georgia Herbert’s firm, her first as an attorney after graduating from Catholic University’s law school in 2006, gave Norris the hands-on experience she wanted and a chance do some land-use related work. “I really enjoyed working with Georgia, but I decided I wanted to serve the community in a different way,” said Norris, who handled trusts and land-use issues, among other things, at the Main Street firm. "
