The Fauquier County Transportation Committee met on March 25th to vote on their recommendations for the future alignment and width of Rt. 215 (Vint Hill Road) in Fauquier County, the configuration of its intersection with US15/29, and other transportation issues in the New Baltimore area. The Planning Commission will now vote on the recommendations at a public hearing on May 28, 2009.

Excerpt from Planning Commission Staff Report

Below is an excerpt from the Planning Commission Staff Report summarizing the Committee recommendations. See the additional resources box at the bottom of the page to read the entire report.

"The Fauquier County Transportation Committee was tasked by the Board of Supervisors in 2008 with making a recommendation on the alignment of Route 215. After months of study, the Transportation Committee voted, at its March 25, 2009 meeting, to recommend that Route 215 be retained in its existing alignment from Prince William County to U.S. 15/29. The committee further recommended:

"While retaining the option of making Route 215 a 4-lane road on its current alignment, explore retention of Route 215 as a 2-lane primary road, with traffic calming design alternatives on Route 215 intersections (e.g., roundabout design at the Route 600/215 intersection) in lieu of the more conventional turn lane movements and traffic signalization, historic markers and the designation of the northernmost section through Buckland Farms as a historic parkway. (Comment: In the context of the recognized battlefield area, improvements to facilitate preservation and public appreciation for Buckland Races battlefield sites within Fauquier County should be planned.)" The full report from the Transportation Committee is included as Attachment 2. Other studies evaluated by the Transportation Committee, including studies of traffic, intersection improvements and historic resources, are referenced in Attachment 2 with links to their availability on the County website. Staff has prepared amendments to the New Baltimore Service District Plan to reflect the changes recommended by the Transportation Committee."

These changes include:

• retaining Route 215 on its current alignment;
• retaining Route 215 as a two lane road for as long as practicable;
• considering traffic calming measures;
• facilitating preservation and public appreciation of the Buckland Races Battlefield Sites; and
• preserving the option of making Route 215 a four lane road.

"The proposed amendments are included in Attachments 3-5. The Transportation Committee also made a number of other recommendations related to transportation within the Service District. One of these was to reconvene the New Baltimore Comprehensive Plan Committee to review and update the Transportation Plan for New Baltimore in response to broader issues and proposals. The establishment of such a group was included in the Board's resolution (Attachment 1). Chairman Trumbo will propose citizen appointments to this committee at a later date."

Planning Commission Meeting on May 28th
The Planning Commission will meet on Thursday, May 28th for a public hearing at 7pm; to make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors. For more information, visit the Fauquier County Planning Commission website.For questions, please email Todd Benson, PEC or call 540-347-2334.