It is critically important that County decisionmakers hear from you before they vote on this impactful proposal.
Wilderness Crossing
Information about the proposed Wilderness Crossing residential development at the intersection of Rt. 3 and Rt. 20 in Orange County, next to Wilderness Battlefield.
Planning Commission Public Hearing on Wilderness Crossing Set for March 23
Even after 18 months, it is still unclear what the applicant has planned for the 2,618 acres of land included in the Wilderness Crossing rezoning proposal — still unremediated of toxic hazards from historic gold mining activities. The details have continued to change, and most recently, the number of homes has been reduced from 6,500 to 5,000 while the industrial square footage has increased by almost five times. Additionally, a variety of industrial uses, including data centers and warehouse/distribution centers, would now be allowed by-right.
The Planning Commission recently held its fifth and final work session for Wilderness Crossing on March 2, which means the application is now headed to a public hearing on Thursday, March 23, 2023.
Orange County Planning Commission Questions Wilderness Crossing Developer at Recent Work Sessions
The Orange County Planning Commission held three work sessions (January 5 and 19, February 9) on Wilderness Crossing. A fourth is scheduled for Thursday, February 16.
SELC & PEC Joint Letter to Orange County Planning Commission
Read our joint letter with the Southern Environmental Law Center in advance of the Orange County Planning Commission’s third work session on REZ 22-03, Wilderness Crossing.
While the applicant’s current proffer language agreeing to ‘enter’ DEQ’s Voluntary Remediation Program represents some positive movement (as recently as September, the applicant was stating publicly that they have “no knowledge” of contaminants on site), PEC and our partners at SELC believe this language does not go far enough to ensure that the contaminated site will be cleaned up.
Wilderness Battlefield Coalition Letter to Orange County Planning Commission
Read the Wilderness Battlefield Coalition’s letter in advance of the Orange County Planning Commission’s third work session on REZ 22-03, Wilderness Crossing.
Wilderness Crossing: Breadth of Rezoning and FOIA Results Prompt New Concerns
We want to highlight how ridiculously broad this proposed rezoning would be and share some important information gathered through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request PEC submitted to Orange County.
Wilderness Crossing: An In-Depth Look
Wilderness Crossing is a huge development proposal on a site with known, unmitigated hazards, and located at the gateway to a historic Civil War battlefield.
Wilderness Crossing Town Hall Recap and Next Steps
It was great seeing so many folks at our Wilderness Crossing town hall late last month in Locust Grove. Below you can find a recap with some of the key takeaways from the event and an update on where things stand in Orange County’s approval process.
Resources from Wilderness Crossing Town Hall
PEC and partners from the Wilderness Battlefield Coalition held a community town hall on October 25, 2022 at the Locust Grove Middle School to share information about the proposed Wilderness Crossing rezoning and development in Orange County, VA.
Wilderness Crossing Town Hall on Oct. 25
As reported in my last email, the Wilderness Crossing proposal continues to wind its way through the rezoning application process in Orange County.