On Tuesday, March 16th, The Prince William County Board of Supervisors heard from residents and community stakeholders during a public hearing for the Independent Hill Small Area Plan, which is located in the Rural Crescent. Prince William County saw efforts from both sides of the issue such as a car caravan, coordinated apparel, and lobbying during the Public Hearing. Common sentiments expressed were environmental concerns, the harm of new sewers and cable lines, protecting Prince William County’s greenspaces, and potential growth in jobs and the economy.

This motion was presented on the heels of a leaked recording of Supervisor Pete Candland and a well established land developer during which Candland stated, “These Republicans are slitting their own throats approving these apartments. When you put these apartments in, you’re not getting Joe Republican moving in to these apartments. You wonder why the eastern end of the county has not just gone Democrat, it’s gone solidly blue.” Further he stated, “The westeren end where we’re building  $600,000” homes and we want to keep building the apartments on the eastern end, I’m fine with that kind of balance.“

Residents on both sides of the issue came to the Public Hearing with passion and ensured that their voices were heard.

“We need to open all of these areas up and progress Prince William County forward” stated Thomas Ackley of the Rural Crescent. In agreement, Jon Brower of Haymarket stated, “This is good for our tax revenue. I have loved ones who must commute just to earn a living when they should be able to work in the country in which they reside to provide a decent living for themselves.”

On the other side of the issue Carla Silas of Potomac shared, “I was shocked when I heard that the Board of Supervisors did not listen to the Planning Commission. I feel that their solution to over-development in one area is to develop another.” Alongside Silas, Elena Schlossberg-Kunkel of Haymarket said, “Believing that we’re protecting the environment is something we’re all invested in. It matters that we protect our watershed. It matters that we know the facts. It matters that we perform a study.”

After a heated debate between Supervisors, the Independent Hill Small Area Plan passed with a 5-3 party line vote. The Democratic Supervisors in support of the Plan were Chair Wheeler, Vice-Chair Bailey, Supervisor Angry, Supervisor Boddye, and Supervisor Franklin. On the other side were Republicans Supervisor Lawson, Supervisor Vega, and Supervisor Candland who all strongly opposed the proposal.

The Independent Hill Plan sets the stage for the county’s rural areas to be used for smart growth including housing diversity, career opportunities, and the preservation of open space and community engagement. To view the recording or minutes of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors’ meeting, you may visit pwcgov.org.