Premium content from Washington Business Journal by Michael Neibauer, Staff Reporter

Date: Friday, November 4, 2011, 6:00am EDT

For the first time in 13 years, a window may be opening — albeit a narrow one — for developers to build in Prince William County’s 80,000-acre preservation area, known as the Rural Crescent.

Peter Candland, Republican nominee for Gainesville District supervisor, acknowledges his election Nov. 8 in the GOP-heavy district may be a game changer for Prince William development policy. He is seeking to replace Republican Supervisor John Stirrup, a vigorous supporter of the Rural Crescent who ran for state Senate but lost in the primary.

Candland’s opponent is Democrat Ann Wheeler, who signed a pledge committing to oppose development in the Rural Crescent for at least the next four years.

As it stands today, the eight-member Board of County Supervisors is split between those willing to consider Rural Crescent-related comprehensive plan amendments and those generally opposed to them. A proposed amendment must be initiated by the board before it can even be reviewed by county staff; a 4-4 tie is the same as a “no.”

If Candland wins, that would suggest five supervisors would at least be willing to listen to a proposal for development in the preservation area. The opportunity is unprecedented: Only one major Rural Crescent development proposal, Brookfield Homes’ 180-acre Avendale along Vint Hill and Nokesville roads, has been approved in 13 years.

READ MORE
(pdf article)

Eleven Candidates Sign Rural Crescent Pledge
Press Conference Aug. 4, 2:00 pm, McCoart Govt. Center

In 2000, Prince William citizens, concerned with protecting the integrity of the Rural Crescent and its associated community benefits, formed the Advocates for the Rural Crescent. We are a bipartisan organization comprised of community members throughout Prince William County.

The Rural Crescent stands as Prince William County’s unique land use tool. It is not merely a means of conserving open space, but just as importantly, it is a critical tool that directs high density development to areas where infrastructure is already in place and encourages redevelopment in targeted areas, such as the Route 1 corridor.
We all have a vested interest in Prince William County and the viability of the Rural Crescent. In the spirit of that endeavor, we invite all candidates – new and incumbent candidates who have honored previous pledges – to clarify their position by signing a pledge to uphold the Rural Crescent, as described in the Prince William County Comprehensive Plan.

We are pleased to announce that most candidates running for seats on the Prince William County Board of Supervisors have signed our pledge, committing to uphold the Rural Crescent and signaling their support for better managed growth Countywide. These candidates include:
Board Chairman – John Gray (I), Babur Lateef (D)
Gainesville District – Martha Hendley(R), Ann Wheeler(D), Suzanne Miller(R), Michael High (R).
Brentsville District – Jeanine Lawson(R)
Coles District – Bob Pugh(R), Anthony Arnold(D)
Occoquan District – Mike May (Reaffirmation) Republican
Woodbridge District –Frank Principi (Reaffirmation)Democrat
To honor these candidates, we will hold a press conference on August 4th, 2 pm at the McCoart Government Center, 1 County Complex, Woodridge, VA.

This is an opportunity for the candidates to speak to the issue and for citizens to have chance to meet the candidates who are committed to balanced growth in Prince William County. The August 23rd primary is a critical opportunity to support balanced growth candidates.
Advocates for the Rural Crescent welcomes the partnership of Prince William Citizens for Balanced Growth. The mission of Prince William Citizens for Balanced Growth is to work with local officials and citizens to balance traffic, taxes, job growth, public school, and quality-of-life issues with residential growth. The Rural Crescent plays an integral roles in all these issues.

Current Candidates for Prince William County Board of Supervisors

Signed Pledges and Committments by Board members and Candidates

A Blank Pledge Form

Current Prince William County Board of Supervisiors Members