Strong Communities

PEC believes that the work of protecting natural resources and the work of building better communities are integral to each other.

“Village of Catlett” Proposal

Posted on February 13, 2012July 1, 2021 by Julie Bolthouse

Update: After years of consideration and seven public hearings, the Village of Catlett proposal was finally voted down. This over-sized development never made very much sense, but it was kept alive based on a promise from the developer to provide sewer to Catlett at no cost to taxpayers. In the end, the Board realized that was not likely, and turned the project down on a 3 to 2 vote. However, the developer has decided to challenge the denial, so the county and the developer are currently in litigation. We will keep you updated as we find out more.

Honoring Local History

Posted on February 11, 2012October 18, 2022 by PEC

“This part of northern Virginia has soaked up more of the blood, sweat and tears of American history than any other part of the country.” –Late Yale historian C. Vann Woodward

Subdivision Ordinance Changes Being Considered

Posted on February 10, 2012July 1, 2021 by Julie Bolthouse

On June 7th the Orange County Planning Commission voted unanimously to retain the time-phased component of the subdivision ordinance until an alternative is in place. We will keep you informed as this issue progresses.

Tools to Preserve Rural Land

Posted on December 14, 2011July 7, 2021 by Todd Lamonia

Many tools are available to preserve rural land, from private land conservation to Purchase of Development Rights programs, land use taxation, zoning provisions and more.

Planning and Zoning Terms

Posted on December 14, 2011October 22, 2020 by Julie Bolthouse

Definitions and descriptions of important terms and concepts.

Controlling the Costs of Growth

Posted on December 14, 2011July 1, 2021 by Julie Bolthouse

Uncontrolled growth can cause taxes to skyrocket, but with good planning and the use of proffers and other tools, communities can accommodate growth without a budget crisis.

Better Comprehensive Planning

Posted on December 14, 2011October 22, 2020 by Julie Bolthouse

Every locality in Virginia must express its goals in a Comprehensive Plan, a twenty-year vision which must be reviewed and/or revised every five years. These documents are of foundational importance for communities that wish to shape their own future.

Developer Still Considering 275 Homes in Clevenger’s Corner

Posted on December 13, 2011October 22, 2020 by PEC

Update: At its April public hearing, the Culpeper County Planning Commission made a recommendation to deny the rezoning by a vote of 9-0. With the resignation of Supervisor Tom Underwood and his replacement with former Supervisor John Coates, the Board of Supervisors have agreed to delay the public hearing on the rezoning until its July meeting.

Water Quality and Land Use

Posted on December 13, 2011July 1, 2021 by PEC

Streams and rivers are likely to be healthy when at least 91% of the ground in their watershed remains permeable, allowing soil and plants to filter precipitation.

“Poisoned Waters” Documentary on FRONTLINE

Posted on December 13, 2011August 26, 2020 by Todd Lamonia

FRONTLINE correspondent Hedrick Smith takes an in-depth look at Puget Sound and the Chesapeake Bay, and examines the growing number of hazards to human health and our nation’s waterways.

Both PEC and partner group, the Coalition for Smarter Growth (CSG), were interviewed for the piece. We stressed that poor land use decisions and sprawling development pose the primary threat to the Bay’s water quality.