On Tuesday October 6th, Prince William County’s Board of Supervisors convened for their first meeting of the month, Resolution 11H drew particular attention from constituents.

Supervisor Pete Candland, R-Gainesville, proposed Resolution 11H. It’s title line stated “Authorize a study period for the purpose of defining equity in housing and environmental justice concepts for consideration in land use documents and land use policies.” Chair-At-Large, Ann Wheeler, added a comment under the resolution labeling it ‘Development Moratorium.’

Seth, a member of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce and resident of Occoquan spoke in person against the resolution. He said although “localities have the power to regulate land use through zoning ordinances to benefit the welfare of citizens” it “doesn’t make sense nor is it efficient to prevent zoning changes in one of the last bastions of affordable housing in Northern Virginia.” Enumerating the benefits of affordable housing clauses which “allows people to plant roots and invest in their communities” by “being a regular at a local spot,” “volunteering with a community group.” Or “starting your own business in the county.” Concluding that “sends the wrong message to businesses looking at the county and to individuals and families looking to make it their home.”

Michael Whitlock, a Prince William County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors member and owner of the local business, Transaction Expert also spoke in opposition of resolution 11 H. Stating we don’t always agree on everything but we should agree “that we have to give a sense of business as normal and not hit a sector which has already been hit hard by Covid.”

Michael S. Kitchen, a Brentsville resident, Vice President of our Suburban Land Division for Christopher Consultants, a PWC based business, and Executive Committee member for NAIOP, spoke on behalf of the the latter organization. In his view “the county took some positive steps in regards to trying to address covid19 issues related to the economy here in Prince William County” referencing the coronavirus task force but “passing this resolution is going to have a negative impact that would go beyond anything that was done in a positive manner regarding the task force.”

Arthuretta Holmes-Martin, a Potomac resident and founder and president of Words and Melodies, LLC said “This [resolution] is a back doorway to do something you don’t want to happen.” Pointing out that “Equity is not something Republicans have historically been quite interested in.” Asserting “If we continue to have obstructionists resolutions like this [11 H] where the community has to come out and speak against it, clearly you’re not willing to work with us as we move forward.” Declaring “We need to move forward, not have an 18 month moratorium.”

Joyce Hudson, a Potomac resident and representative of ‘The Settlment.’ an African American community in Gainesville spoke in favor of the resolution citing her community’s fight against Dominion Powerlines. “It’s hard for our citizens to keep up with county planning efforts” and she does “not want other communities to experience what we went through.”

Elena Schlossberg, a Gainesville resident, executive director of the Coalition to Protect PWC, and a board member of the Prince William Conservation Alliance also spoke in support of the resolution. “If not now when? When does this board start making decision about land use proposals through an equity lens?” Discussing the impact of future development to the Carver Road Settlement along with other housing applications. She believes “Now is the time to take a pause.” Concluding that “We all want the same thing, fairness for everyone.”

Karen Sheehan, a Gainesville resident and member of the Coalition to Protect Prince William County, asked the board to “vote yes on agenda item 11 H.” Because “We need to take a pause to truly consider the comprehensive effects of changes being considered in our county.” Regarding concerns about moving forward she said “The actions in this resolution will not stop progress, they will enhance our progress.”

Tiziana Bottino, Director of the Prince William County Soil and Water Conservation District said “Equity and environmental justice are what I work for everyday but I am not convinced that the resolution on item 11 H is the right solution.” Citing previous voting and work done by the board on equity and environmental justice as a reason not to support it. As well as believing that “anything involv[ing] equity [should] include the Human Rights Commission. The lengthy study period of 18 months is another reason she did not support it.

Before the vote Supervisor Candland said “This is an issue that hits a lot of folks in different ways.”

He also expressed issue over Chair Wheeler’s labeling it as a ‘Development moratorium’ as he does not use that language in the resolution and the Board of County Supervisors does not have the power to stop development in the county according to the county attorney.

“We are living in a pivotal moment in the history of this county” regarding land use” said Supervisor Candland. And “This board has already shown an interest in concepts such as equity in housing and environmental justice, the one year deferral I am seeking will give us the necessary time to understand what exactly these new concepts mean and consider changes in our processes.” Expressing a concern that “We’ll [Board of County Supervisors] be forced to make uninformed decisions.”

“The Board of County Supervisors has never adopted a formal ordinance to define ‘affordable housing.’” said Supervisor Jeanine Lawson, R-Gainesville. Despite the fact that the phrase appears in several prior works. Demanding the board “Defer any re-zonings until this long overdue work is done.”

Contrary to Supervisor Candland’s claims, these terms and concepts are not new. They are also clearly defined and explained in a variety of governmental spaces explained Rebecca Horner, Deputy County Executive during a question and answers session after the vote.

“It is true that there may not be specific definitions, as Supervisor Candland indicated at our last meeting, [but] there are many definitions that exist: Executive Order 1994 created led to the definition of ‘environmental justice’ which is with the Environmental Protection Agency and the definition that people generally rely on in the profession.” Similarly for ‘affordable housing’ “there actually is a definition of ‘affordable housing’ in the housing plan today.” Prince William County Government also relies “on the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) definition of affordable housing and affordable dwelling units.”

Nonetheless Horner agrees “This is a good time to reevaluate what we have in the comprehensive plan and update it.”

The resolution failed 3-5 with Supervisors Candland, Lawson, and Vega voting aye. Supervisors Angry, Bailey, Boddye, Franklin, and Wheeler voted nay.

Supervisor Kenny Boddye, D-Occoquan, explained after that vote that “This no way entails any of us are against ‘equity’ or ‘environmental justice’ or any of these other issues.”

In response to Horner’s statements, Supervisor Andrea Bailey, D-Potomac affirmed “We do have an opportunity to do this concept right.”

Supervisor Margaret Franklin, D-Woodbridge, stated “This board has been very clear that we’re interested in all of these concepts that were mentioned.”

However, “Nothing turns businesspeople off, where they see the idea ‘no, sorry we’re going to put everything on hold” said Chair Wheeler. “I firmly know that we’re going to go forward with affordable housing for the first time in the history PWC. we’re going to move forward with equity across the entire county.” And “Not just the East end were we’ve been shoving development for the last 20 years” referencing the unequal developmental the county.

Concluding that “We are already in the process of bringing equity to this county.”